Google celebrates Persian new year with a spring doodle

Google on Tuesday is celebrating the Iranian or Persian New Year 'Nowruz' with a doodle featuring spring flowers like tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and bee orchids. The day marks the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere.

"As winter fades, and the northern hemisphere begins to thaw, it's time to celebrate Nowruz. Today's Doodle highlights this ancient holiday that marks the beginning of spring. More than 300 million people gather around the world on this day each year to celebrate the season of rebirth," wrote Google.

Nowruz is celebrated around the time when the vernal equinox begins and days start getting longer. Google also wished a happy new year to those who celebrate the occasion. "Happy Nowruz to all who celebrate! May your new year be filled with love, peace, and renewed hope."

The UN has declared the festival an international holiday. "Did you know the United Nations recognizes Nowruz as an international holiday? That's because families celebrate this joyful festival across the Middle East, the South Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, and Northern, Western, Central, and South Asia," added the search engine.

The Parsi community in India celebrates Nowruz as a holy occasion and a new year.

"In many cultures, Nowruz also marks the beginning of a new year — a time to reflect on the past, set intentions for the future, and strengthen relationships with loved ones. Some common traditions include: Decorating eggs to honor new life, tidying up your home to prepare for a fresh start, and feasting on spring vegetables and herbs," explained the Google note on the festival.

Nowruz translates to 'new day' and it is the beginning of the year according to the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar.