The temperatures are finally rising here in Houston. I went out to lunch today and it was 78°F woo hoo 
But then SPRING is around the corner :) To be exact Spring arrives on Saturday March 20th at 1:35 PM EST. How do I know this? Because the first day of Spring is the Iranian New Year, which is called Norouz = New Day. I have done my Spring cleaning and the house is ready, but I still need to do some more preparation for the Haft Seen (Seven S’s) for our Norouz Table.
What is Haft Sin? (from Wikipedia)
“Haft Sîn (Faris: هفت سین) or the seven ‘S’s is a major tradition of Norouz (Norouz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in Iranian calendar), the traditional Iranian new year. The haft sin table includes seven specific items, all starting with the letter S or Sîn (س in the Persian alphabet). The items symbolically correspond to seven creations and holy immortals protecting them. Originally called Haft Chin (هفت چین), the Haft Sin has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families attempt to set as beautiful a Haft Sîn table as they can, as it is not only of traditional and spiritual value, but also noticed by visitors during Norouzi visitations and is a reflection of their good taste.
The Haft Sin items are:
- Sabzeh(سبزه) – wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish – symbolizing rebirth
- Samanu (سمنو)- a sweet pudding made from wheat germ – symbolizing affluence
- Senjed (سنجد)- the dried fruit of the oleaster tree – symbolizing love
- Sîr (سیر)- garlic – symbolizing medicine
- Sîb (سیب)- apples – symbolizing beauty and health
- Somaq (سماق)- sumac berries – symbolizing (the color of) sunrise
- Serkeh (سرکه)- vinegar – symbolizing age and patience
While traditionally incorrect, sometimes a missing Sin is exchanged with another item starting with an S. For example:
- sonbol (سنبل)- the fragrant hyacinth flower (the coming of spring)
- sekkeh (سکه)- coins (prosperity and wealth)
Other items on the table may include:
- traditional Iranian pastries such as baghlava (باقلوا), & other sweets
- “toot” (توت)- (usually white) berries,
- dried nuts, berries and raisins that is called “Aajeel” (آجیل)
- lit candles (enlightenment and happiness)
- a mirror
- decorated eggs, sometimes one for each member of the family (fertility)
- a bowl with goldfish (life, and the sign of Pisces which the sun is leaving)
- a bowl of water with an orange in it (the earth floating in space)
- rose water for its cleansing powers
- A Poetry book, such as the Shahnama or the Divan of Hafez, and/or a holy book such as the Quran “
Source
Caption: A traditional Haft Sin table celebrating Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is seen set Wednesday, March 19, 2008, in the State Dining Room of the White House. Nowruz is, in Persian and some other cultures, including Kurdish culture, a family-oriented holiday celebrating the New Year and the coming of spring. The Haft Sin table has seven items symbolizing new life, joy, love, beauty and health, sunrise, patience and garlic to ward off evil. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
~ G
I couldn’t be more excited for spring! Great information about Haft Seen! I’ve never heard of it before! I love learning something new
We had mid-70’s today too. So nice. Supposed to cool down by the weekend, but I’ll take what I can get!
Thank you for sharing your info about Haft Seen! I’d never heard of it!
I have so many friends from Iran but for some reason I have never heard of Half Sin. Thank you for all the great information! I love learning about new cultures. I love that vinegar symbolizes age and patience. Somehow it just seems to fit perfectly!!
Yup I need to put a lot of Vinegar on my haft sin table.. cause I have zero patience.
so cool! didn’t realize you were persian! i can phonetically read farsi bc i studied arabic, but of course i have NO IDAE what i’m saying, so thanks for the tutorial lol!
Yup Yup! 100%
I’ve never heard of Haft Sin but it’s really interesting! I’ve also never heard of sumac berries. Like poison sumac??
I just googled Poison Sumac and after reading it I doubt it.. because we eat sumac berries and it is very good in lowering cholestrol
GORGEOUS GARLIC, huh???
I LOVE sumac berries! Just had them once in England, but LOVELY!
It’s so interesting to learn new things about other cultures. Thanks for the info on Haft Sin!
Thank you for this educational post! I really love learning about new things.
And should I mention that I’m envious of your 78 degree weather?
Did I mention it is crazy HUMID?
I’m envious of your weather too! And I love your blog, always learning something new
I love March 20th! Not only is it the 1st day of Spring, but it’s my Birthday
Happy Upcoming Birthday
Thank you for sharing that….We are greek so we have a lot of different traditions as well. how fun!
I am SO ready for spring!
Very interesting post! Thanks for sharing.
yay for spring!! and thanks for giving us some education
very cool.
I’ve heard of this, I’ve heard of this!!!!!!!! I feel so smart, haha!
I had an Iranian little girl in my class last year and her mom was the SWEETEST!! She asked if she could come in and teach the kids about the Iranian New Year and of course I said YES!! She brought in all of those items and explained them to the kids – even the goldfish! And she made me a container full of the yummiest chickpea cookies!! They were so good.
Oh yum! Ya I need to go do my big Persian pastry shopping next weekend.. its the only time of year I buy persian sweets… cause I eat it in a day or two… lol
How cool! Thanks for sharing!
We are LOVING the warmer weather here, too
That sounds like a really cool holiday. So, you host a big meal and have everyone over?
[...] is Norouz (Iranian New Year and first day of Spring) and I had to set up my haft sin tonight. I didn’t get a chance to make Sabzeh (Sprouts) for my haft [...]