Nowruz, also known as Persian New Year or Iranian New Year, is celebrated worldwide on March 21, marking the spring equinox. This ancient festival has its roots in Persian mythology and is the first day of the year in both the Zoroastrian and Solar Hijri calendars. Notably, it survived the Muslim conquest of Persia in the 7th century and has since spread across regions including western, central, and southern Asia, the Caucasus, and the Balkans. Customs associated with Nowruz include house cleaning, decoration, and visiting family and friends, often accompanied by traditional snacks like tea, cookies, and fruits. A significant tradition is the Haft-sin arrangement, which features seven symbolic items starting with the letter 'sin' in Persian, such as wheatgrass and apples. Nowruz is recognized as a public holiday in several countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan, and was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.