Norooz Festival       Beside them, Iranian people never forget to place a mirror, their holly book (Koran), some flowers, and a crystal carafe with two live gold fish in it and some candies on the table. After announcing New Year (which has been calculated exactly) all the family members kiss each other on the cheek and then the elder people i.e. grandfathers give some money to their young children as a New Year present. The festival lasts for 13 days during which all the schoolboys and girls are on vacation. On the 13th day, all leave their houses for outskirts carrying their sabzeh with them, and have their lunch in open space. There are a lot of sagas about the 13th day, as it is believed that number 13 is an ominous number. The most reasonable legend is that at the realm of an ancient Rex, the Earth had trembled by a terrifying earthquake and many houses were demolished. From that day on, supposing that it will happen again in the next year, people would leave their houses. Also, on this day, the gold fish in the carafe are set free in the streams or in the pools so that they may enjoy the nature's resurrection. By the end of the 13th day, the festival ends too, and people particularly children wait impatiently for the next year's arrival.   Origin of Norooz The origins of Norooz are unknown, but they go back several thousand years predating the Achaemenian Dynasty. The ancient Iranians had a festival called "Farvardgan" which lasted ten days, and took place at the end of the solar year. It appears that this was a festival of sorrow and mourning, signifying the end of life while the festival of Norooz, at the beginning of spring signified rebirth, and was a time of great joy and celebration. The other ancient symbolic representation of Norooz is based around the idea of the triumph of good over evil. According to the Shah-nameh (The Book of Kings), the national Iranian epic by Ferdowsi, Norooz came into being during the reign of the mythical King Jamshid; when he defeated the evil demons (divs) seizing their treasures, becoming master of everything but the heavens and bringing prosperity to his people.     To reach the heavens, Jamshid ordered a throne to be built with the jewels he had captured. He then sat on the throne and commanded the demons to lift him up into the sky. When the sun's rays hit the throne, the sky was illuminated with a multitude of colours. The people were amazed at the King's power and they showered him with even more jewels and treasures. This day of great celebration was named Norooz, and was recognised as the first day of the year-end.