Azerbaijan marks first Novruz Tuesday, Water Tuesday

Azerbaijan marked the first of the four traditional Tuesdays preceding the Novruz spring holiday on Tuesday, celebrating Su Chərşənbəsi, or Water Tuesday.

According to ancient beliefs, the universe was formed from four elements — water, fire, earth and wind — each symbolized by one of the Tuesdays observed ahead of the spring equinox.

Also known as the “First Tuesday” or “Novruz of Waters,” the day is traditionally marked by cleaning water sources, maintaining irrigation channels and holding rituals associated with water.