The
Persian New Year called NOROOZ is the first day of spring which is Sunday
March 20th. 2016. NOROOZ has no
religious affiliations, is a cultural celebration and it is an ancient Persian
Festival dating back to 1700 BCE.
The last Wednesday of the year is called “Wednesday of
Light” and in the evening everyone jumps over the fire saying purification
rite.
On
New Year’s Day families gather around a traditional table-setting called HAFT-SEEN
to observe the rituals of spring season. The name of the items on the table each
start with the letter “S” in Persian language and each have their own
significance. At least seven items or more from the following list should be on
the table:
1. Sabzeh: Sprouts grown in a dish symbolizing rebirth
S Seeb:
Apple for health and beauty
3.
Senjet:
Dry fruit of Lotus tree symbolizing love
4.
Seer:
Garlic symbolizing medicine
5.
Sumac
berries: Symbolizing sunrise
6.
Samanoo:
Wheat germ pudding symbolizing new life
7.
Sekkeh:
Coins for affluence
8.
Sombol:
Hyacinth flower for constancy
9.
Serkeh:
Vinegar symbolizing age and patience
In
addition to the above people may also use some other items including:
1. Gold
fish swimming in water symbolizing life
2. Painted
eggs symbolizing spring celebration
3. Mirror
symbolizing the sky
4. Candles
symbolizing fire
5. Cookies
for sweetness of life
6. Other
decorative items
The
traditional food of New Year's Day is vegetable rice with white fish.
HAPPY NOROOZ!
