Amu Nowruz and his Violets

Nowruz, also known as the Persian New Year, marks the first day of spring, which falls on March 21st. The festival, which dates back some 3,000 years, is also celebrated by more than 300 million people around the world and across many ethnic groups.

In Persian folklore, Amu Nowruz (Uncle New Year) is the herald of spring. The story of the love he shares with Naneh Sarma (Mother Frost), who represents winter, is that they can only see each other once a year--the day winter ends and spring begins. But every year, Naneh Sarma falls asleep just before Amu Nowruz arrives. He doesn't have the heart to wake her, instead, he leaves her a flower. When dawn breaks, Naneh Sarma wakes to realize she has again missed seeing Amu Nowruz.

Written Hadi Mohammadi 

Illustrated. by Nooshin Safakhoo