Today, on March 20, Novruz holiday is celebrated in Azerbaijan.
"Report" informs that the awakening of nature and life begins with Novruz.
The Azerbaijani people start celebrating this solemnly and also mark the arrival of the new year, the new day – Novruz – at least four weeks in advance. Thus, the second days of each week are celebrated as the Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth Wednesdays. According to popular belief, on the first Wednesday, water and water sources are renewed and set in motion; on the second Wednesday comes fire; on the third Wednesday wind; and finally, on the fourth Earth Wednesday, nature awakens and signals the arrival of spring.
Azerbaijanis pay serious attention to the holiday table. The table must have seven types of dishes whose names start with the letter "s." Also, sumac, vinegar, milk, sprout (səməni), herbs, etc., should be on the table. In addition, a mirror and candles are placed on the table, and painted eggs are placed on top of the mirror. These also have symbolic meanings: the candle means fire and light (which protects people from the evil eye), and the mirror is a symbol of clarity.
According to tradition, everyone should be at home on the first day of the holiday. It is said among the people: "If you are not at home on the holiday day, you will not be at home for seven years." In the past, as a rule, desert doors were not closed. On the first day of the new year, the lights are not turned off all night, and extinguished fire or light is a sign of misfortune.
The arrival of spring in Azerbaijan will occur on March 20 at 18:45:53 Baku time. At this time, night and day are equal, and the Sun rises exactly in the east and sets in the west.
The length of the spring season will be 92 days, 17 hours, 38 minutes, and 28 seconds.
Recall that UNESCO included the Novruz holiday on the list of intangible cultural heritage on September 30, 2009.