Nowruz — Azerbaijan Novruz call. Along with the New Year and religious Ramadan Bayram is one of the most important and popular holidays in Azerbaijan.Although Nowruz is celebrated mainly in Muslim countries, it is not a religious holiday, and, strictly speaking, a celebration of the spring equinox, which symbolizes the renewal of life on earth.Back in the old days in Novruz six days did not work, even the peasants did not carry out any agricultural work. Days of the festival were given only meetings and fun, and this tradition has taken root in South Azerbaijan, as a whole, not broken today.On the first day of Nowruz taken up early. Where possible, people go to the water: wash, sprinkle water on each other. Because the water — symbolizing purification. Thus all wish each other a happy and blessed New Year.Then there is the tradition treat each other with sweets. That morning should eat something sweet, such as honey, or if it is not — sugar. Followed inhale the fragrant smoke that symbolizes liberation from the "evil spirits."Azeris are paying a lot of attention and training in the Novruz holiday table. According to custom, each family, covering the New Year's feast, remember that the table should be the food of seven dishes that start with the letter "s." On the table to stand sumac, sked — milk, Sirko — vinegar, seed — a special porridge of wheat, sabzi — greens and others.In addition to traditional dishes put on the table mirror, candle and painted egg. These items have deep symbolic meaning candle — light or fire, which protects people from evil spirits, the mirror — a sign of clarity, or to establish the time of the New Year.In order to set the end of the old year and the first day of the new Azerbaijan pose painted egg on a mirror. And as soon as the egg will swing, so the bull "transfer" the globe to the other horn and come the New Year. All the guests, watching the symbolic rocking egg on a mirror, congratulate each other, kiss, hug and wish each other all the best.
