Persian New Year {Norooz} is around the corner and year after year I get more excited for it as it nears! Celebrating Norooz is one of my fondest memories growing up and carrying on this cultural tradition with my children is one that I have so much fun with in preparation for its arrival.
This year I have the honor to bask in excitement with someone who loves Norooz as much as me, if not more! On Thursday March 11th at 2PM PST, the oh-so-lovely Shally Zomorodi and I are going to be getting Persian New Year ready together by sharing our Haftseen’s {Persian New Year spread} with one another by going LIVE on Instagram.
If you are unfamiliar with Persian New Year, Norooz in its literal translation means New Day – “No” means New and “Ruz” means Day. It is observed based on the Persian calendar and it is a celebration of the beginning of Spring marking the first day of Spring as the first day of the new year. Norooz has Persian and Zoroastrian origin however there are many ethnic groups around the world that celebrate Norooz as it is based on the Gregorian calendar.
The way Iranian’s prepare for the arrival of Norooz is by setting and prettifying a table spread (also known as a Sofreh Haftseen) with symbolic and traditional items that represent many elements in our life and new year to come. Seven specific items are placed on the spread that start with the letter “S” or to be more specific the Persian letter “Seen”. Haftseen in its literal translation means 7 (Haft) seens. 7 “S’s”.
Below is a brief breakdown of the traditional Haftseen items:
{HAFTSEEN SPREAD}
{SABZEH} wheat or lentil sprouts growing in a dish – symbolizing growth
{SAMANOO} a sweet pudding made from wheat germ – symbolizing wealth
{SENJED} the dried fruit of the oleaster tree – symbolizing love
{SEER} garlic – symbolizing medicine
{SEEB} apples – symbolizing beauty and health
{SERKEH} vinegar – symbolizing age and patience
{SEKKEH} coins – prosperity and wealth
{SONBOL} hyacinth flower – symbolizing the start of spring
{SOMAGH} sumac – symbolizing the sunrise
{Other items that are used on the spread that don’t start with the letter “S”}
Mirror and lit candles – symbolizing enlightenment and happiness
Decorated eggs – symbolizing fertility and family
A bowl with goldfish – symbolizing life
Holy book {depending on faith} – symbolizing God’s blessing
Traditional pastries, nuts, and dried fruits – symbolizing food and feasts
Flowers, flowers, and more flowers
If you would like to set up a haftseen with Shally and I, you will need all of the above items. Many of the items can be readily found at Persian markets if you have one in your area. You will also need decorative items to put the said above items in. If you need design inspiration, I have linked all of my past Haftseen designs here.
Additionally, I am going to share a really brief and simple way to decorate some eggs that you could use on your haftseen. I have so many different eggs I have designed over the years (for Persian New Year and Persian wedding ceremonies) and I have quite the collection from simple to more ornate. This brief egg DIY I am going to share when we go LIVE is the simplest of them all. It will be simple but versatile in terms of design. I am going to link some egg options for you guys below along with some other items you will need if you would like to follow along the DIY.
If you want to dance, if you want good energy, if you want to feel HAPPY, you will want to follow Shally in all that she does. Her zest for life is contagious and her energy is good for the soul. I look forward to hearing from and seeing you guys soon!
