When does the Persian or Islamic New Year start?
Quick Answer: The Persian New Year, called Nowruz, starts at the exact moment of the spring equinox, usually around March 20 or 21. The Islamic New Year begins with the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which shifts about 10 to 11 days earlier each solar year.
The Persian New Year, Nowruz, is tied to nature and marks the start of spring. It is celebrated precisely when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading north, signaling the vernal equinox. This moment varies slightly each year but usually falls on March 20 or 21.
The Islamic New Year depends on the lunar calendar. Muharram, the first month, starts with the sighting of the new moon. Because the Islamic calendar is about 354 days long, the New Year moves backward through the seasons over time, unlike the fixed solar date of Nowruz.