In Nowruz folklore, Haji Firuz traditionally covers his face with black soot or black makeup.
Haji Firuz is a comic herald of the Persian New Year who appears in red clothing, often singing and playing a tambourine. His blackened face is one of his defining visual features, while his red costume represents the festive character of the performance.
The figure is widely recognized in Iranian Nowruz celebrations, especially in public performances and popular imagery. His origins and symbolism are debated. Some interpretations connect him to ancient Iranian traditions, while others compare him with figures from later storytelling and performance customs.
The black face is sometimes mistaken for a literal skin color or treated as a modern costume detail without historical context. In the tradition, it is soot or theatrical makeup, not a natural feature.