Celebrating Eideh Nowrouz: The Persian New Year!
Persian holidays are vibrant with colors, meaningful symbolics to help pave the path for a brighter and more prosperous future! Today is our Eideh Nowrouz which also indicates the official beginning of the spring season, March 20th.
Saleh No Mabarak! –translation–>Happy New Year 1394!
For this, we decorate the sofreh weeks before with the Haft Seen. Seven items which all start with the letter “S” and symbolize all the good things that will come in the new year:
- Sabzeh – (Persian: سبزه) – wheat, barley, mung bean or lentil sprouts growing in a dish – symbolizing rebirth
- Samanu – (Persian: سمنو) – sweet pudding made from wheat germ – symbolizing affluence
- Senjed – (Persian: سنجد) – dried oleaster Wild Olive fruit – symbolizing love
- Sir – (Persian: سیر) – garlic – symbolizing medicine
- Sib – (Persian: سیب) – apples – symbolizing beauty and health
- Somāq – (Persian: سماق) – sumac fruit – symbolizing sunrise
- Serkeh – (Persian: سرکه) – vinegar – symbolizing old-age and patience
My mom Afsaneh always makes the most out of the holiday and I love the LOVE she brings to the tradition! Here’s what she created this year ♡
Over time, as the Arabic language influences came into place, the symbolics have expanded to include these on the Haft Seen:
- Mirror – symbolizing Sky
- Apple – symbolizing Earth
- Candles – symbolizing Fire
- Golab – rose water symbolizing Water
- Sabzeh – wheat, or barley sprouts symbolizing Plants
- Goldfish – symbolizing Animals
- Painted Eggs – symbolizing Humans and Fertility
Over the phone, my mom and aunt Manzar (in the picture below) lifted my spirits by advising me and my fiancé what to get to prepare for such a beautiful holiday to share together. I’m so blessed to have these ladies in my life ♡
[…] Nowruz celebrates rebirth, renewal, and the awakening of nature. It’s a time to bid farewell to winter and welcome spring with open arms. Families come together, share festive meals, and prepare for the grand Nowruz celebrations, which falls on the vernal equinox (around March 20 or 21). […]