Amu Nowruz
amu nowruz persian عمو نوروز uncle nowruz also known baba nowruz بابا نوروز legendary character originating iranian folklore according folklore appears annually beginning spring together companion haji firuz mark beginning nowruz iranian new year according historian symbolizes zal father rostam hero shahnameh eve spring equinox iranian new year celebrated iranian cultural continent albania west western china east amu nowruz brings child gift similar western christian folk character santa claus husband nane sarma share traditional love story meet year amu nowruz characterized elderly silverhaired man put felt hat walking stick long cloak blue canvas sash pair thinsoled giveh pair linen trouser wise historical presence pass old story nowruz youth haji firuz play tambourine dance demand gift amu nowruz giver story amu nowruz nane sarma one symbolic legend transition old year new year according legend old woman named nane sarma grandma frost wife amu nowruz see one night year leaf go way next year another version story say first day spring every year nane sarma expects uncle nowruz come visit come fall asleep exhaustion wake realizes uncle nowruz come gone also said two see world destroyed another retelling amu nowruz travel around world giving child gift much like santa claus way meet nane sarma loved dearly nane sarma would wake early spring equinox clean house ready table however year fall asleep arrives kindhearted amu nowruz would wake instead eats food set place flower new clothes departs continue long journey dawn touch nane sarmas face wake realize missed seeing amu nowruz year cycle repeat awaits every spring hajji firuz sinterklaas santa claus saint nicholas father christmas medium related amu nowruz wikimedia common