Happy New Year

A few weeks before the new year, Persians thoroughly clean and rearrange their homes. They buy or make new clothes, bake pastries and germinate seeds as signs of renewal. The ceremonial cloth known as Haft-Seen is set up in each household.

“Haft Seen” or the seven “S” of Nowruz!

  1. Sabzeh (Sprouts, usually lentil or wheat): Representing fertility and rebirth of nature.
  2. Seeb (Apple): Represents natural beauty.
  3. Samanu (A pudding in which common wheat sprouts are transformed and given new life as a sweet, creamy pudding): Represents the reward of patience
  4. Somaq (Somaq berry used as spice): Represents the color of sunrise; with the appearance of the sun Good conquers Evil.
  5. Senjed (The sweet, dry fruit of the Lotus tree): Represents love. It has been said that when the lotus tree is in full bloom, its fragrance and its fruit make people fall in love and become oblivious to everything else.
  6. Seer (Garlic): Represents health.
  7. Serkeh (Vinegar): Represents age.

Source