Nowruz “Haft Sīn” Table

Nowruz, meaning "new day" marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Iranian Calendar.

While Nowruz has ancient Iranian and Zoroastrian origins, it has been celebrated by diverse communities. It has been celebrated for over 3,000 years across the Iranian Cultural Continent including the Caucasus, Western Asia, Central Asia, the Black Sea Basin, and the Balkans. Today, Nowruz is a secular holiday for most celebrants that is enjoyed by people of many different faiths, it remains a holy day for Zoroastrians.

A few days prior to the New Year, a symbolic illustration of Nowruz is setup in every home. The spread is called the Haft Sīn meaning the Seven S’s since there are seven traditional items that begin with the Persian letter “S” or “Sīn”. The number seven has been sacred in Iran since antiquity, and the seven dishes stand for life-rebirth, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, patience, and beauty.

The most common Haft Seen items are: 1. sabzi - wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing - symbolizing rebirth 2. samanu - a sweet pudding made from wheat germ symbolizing affluence 3. senjed - the dried fruit of the oleaster tree - symbolizing love 4. sīr - garlic - symbolizing medicine 5. sīb - apples - symbolizing beauty and health 6. somagh - sumac berries - symbolizing the color of sunrise 7. serkeh - vinegar - symbolizing age and patience

Additional items beginning with the letter “S” can be used such as: • sonbol - the fragrant hyacinth flower for the coming of spring • sekkeh - coins for prosperity and wealth

Other non-S items of historical, cultural, religious, or national significance on the spread may include: • lit candles, enlightenment and happiness • a mirror, self reflection and introspection • decorated eggs, fertility • goldfish in a bowl, symbolizing life • a bowl of water with an orange in it symbolizing the earth floating in space • rose water for its magical cleansing powers • wine, symbolizing health and happiness • traditional sweets and pastries symbolizing sweetness for the new year • dried nuts and fruits called "aajeel" • holy books depending on religion i.e. Avesta or Gathas, Bible, Torah, or Quran • poetry such as the Shahnameh (Epic of Kings) by Ferdowsi, the Divan of Hafez, the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, or Gulistan (Rose Garden) of Saadi. • photos of loved ones who have transitioned during this past year