the haftseen
Nowruz begins at the stroke of the vernal equinox, when the sun crosses the equator. This year it came early in the morning of March 20. When the equinox comes, millions of families of Iranian descent gather around a ceremonial table known as the haftseen.
What goes on a Nowruz table?
Every Haft Sin table must include seven items, each beginning with the Farsi letter “S”: sabzeh, senjed, sib, seer, samanu, serkeh, and sumac.
How do you celebrate Nowruz?
Traditionally in Iran, people decorate a Nowruz table with – among other things – goldfish, wheat grass, candles and mirrors. In Turkey, thousands of Kurdish people celebrated in Istanbul with music and dancing. India’s Parsi community marked the day by going to Zoroastrian fire temples.
What is Nowruz and Haftsin?
A Persian new year- or as Iranians call it, Nowruz- will not start until a Haft Sin is set up to welcome the arrival of spring. Nowruz literally means “New Day” and is the start of the Iranian new year, celebrated on the very first day of spring, around 21 March.
What food is eaten on Nowruz?
A dish such as sabzi polo ba mahi (herbed rice served with fish) is a Nowruz mainstay, as is kuku sabzi, a brilliantly green herb frittata. Other favourites include mixtures of raw nuts like pistachios, almonds and walnuts, and ash-e reshteh (Iranian noodle soup).
What gifts do you give for Nowruz?
Customarily, the most common Nowruz gifts are money, gold coins, sweets, and flowers. If you’re going on a Nowruz party, all of these gifts would be appropriate, as well as other simple things such as candles (since they celebrate with fire) and pendants, paintings, or decorative items with Persian symbols and poetry.
What do children do on Nowruz?
Some get ready for Nowruz by cleaning their house from top to bottom and decorating their homes with fresh flowers. When Nowruz finally arrives, people dress up and visit with friends and family, celebrating with prayers, music, dancing and feasts. It’s a time of joyful celebration.
