Haji Firuz is the Nowruz character who traditionally announces spring in Iranian folklore.
He is commonly depicted wearing a red costume, a conical hat, and blackened face makeup while singing, dancing, and playing a tambourine in the days before the new year. His performances are associated with festive street celebrations in Iran.
Haji Firuz is often presented as a companion or herald of Amu Nowruz, an elderly gift-bringing figure. The two characters are not the same: Haji Firuz is a lively performer, while Amu Nowruz is the seasonal visitor who appears in folklore and popular culture.
The character's origins and symbolism are debated. Explanations connect him variously with ancient seasonal rituals, fire symbolism, and later cultural traditions, so confident claims about one single origin should be treated cautiously.