I’m A Clubwoman

Persian New Year

by morgan on 03/23/09 at 9:19 am

The March 20th was the first day of spring and Persian New Year. In harmony with rebirth of nature, the two-week Persian New Year celebration (Nowruz) always begins on the first day of spring.

A special cover is spread onto carpet or on a table. This cermonial setting is called sofreh-ye-haft-sinn (seven dishes setting), each one beginning with the Persian letter sinn (S). The number seven has been sacred in Iran and the seven dishes stand for the seven angelic heralds of life-rebirth, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, patience, and beauty. The symbolic dishes constist of Sabzeh or sprouts, usually wheat or lentil, representing rebirth. Samanu is a wheat pudding which represents the ultimate sophistication of Persian cooking. Sib means apple and represents health and beauty. Senjed, the sweet, dry fruit of wild olive represents love. Sir which is garlic represents medicine. Somaq, sumac berries, represent the color of sunrise. Serkeh or vinegar represents age and patience.  Other elements and symbols are also placed on the sofreh. Books of tradition, usually Koran and poems of Hafez (the famaous poet), a few coins representing wealth, a basket of painted eggs representing fertility. An orange floating in a bowl of water represents the earth floating in space and the fish in a bowl of water represents Anahita, one of the angels of water and fertility. Also added to the table are a pot of flowering hyacinth along with a mirror and two candelabras . The candles represent enlightenment and happiness and the mirror represents the images and reflections of creation as we celebrate anew the ancient Persian traditions and beliefs that creation took place on the first day of spring or Nowruz.

Below is the photo of my Nowruz table. I had everything except Samanu (the pudding) and hyacinth was not in season so I had tulip. I also had a dish of persian sweets pastry (no, I didn’t make them!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!