Celebrations•Family•Lifestyle•Persian New Year {Norooz}•Pretty Please Design•Pretty Please Home

Persian New Year {Norooz} 1404

March 16, 2025

I can hardly believe another year has flown by, but it’s time once again to welcome the Persian New Year (Norooz). This celebration of renewal and new beginnings is my absolute favorite to prepare for. If you’re new here, let me introduce you to the beauty and traditions of Norooz.

Persian New Year has been celebrated for over 3,000 years and it is one of the most ancient and continuously celebrated holidays in history. Originating in ancient Persia (modern day Iran), Norooz now transcends national and religious boundaries, embraced by over 15 countries and diverse faiths. Marking the vernal equinox (the start of Spring – circa March 19, 20, or 21, dependent on the exact moment the sun crosses the celestial equator), Norooz is filled with cultural festivities and family gatherings, with a core theme of renewal, joy, prosperity and togetherness. This year Norooz will be on Thursday, March 20, at 2:02 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) in California and we are ready to celebrate.

Iranians have a quintessential Norooz tradition where we decorate a Haft-Seen table. The Haft-Seen table is an elaborate spread and arrangement of seven symbolic items, each beginning with the Persian letter “S” (س) representing virtues essential for the year ahead. These items include:

• Sabzeh (sprouted wheat or lentils) – representing growth

• Samanu (sweet pudding) – symbolizing strength and abundance

• Senjed (dried oleaster fruit) – love and wisdom

• Seer (garlic) – health and protection

• Seeb (apple) – beauty

• Somāq (sumac) – sunrise

• Serkeh (vinegar) – patience and the wisdom of age

Beyond these, the Haft-Seen often features a mirror (self-reflection), candles (enlightenment), painted eggs (fertility and family), goldfish (life and movement), a holy book of choice, the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi, or the poetry of Hafez.

This year, I envisioned a Haft-Seen design prettified in deep red and burgundy hues, drawing inspiration from the timeless elegance of the Baccarat Hotel in New York. I wanted to incorporate luxurious crystal details and structured floral elements to create a refined and sophisticated look. For the florals, I designed the arrangements myself, using lush hydrangeas accented with apples, one of the main traditional items of the Haft-Seen.

The timeless traditions of Nowruz are a testament to the enduring legacy of Persian civilization and its profound influence on global heritage. I take immense pride in passing these traditions down to my children and sharing the beauty of my culture with those who may be unfamiliar with it. I hope this annual Persian New Year post inspires you and offers a glimpse into the richness of Norooz.

Wishing you and yours all the best to come. “Har roozehtoon norooz, noroozehtoon pirooz!”