Nowruz (Persian New Year) is tonight (March 19th) at exactly 10:14 PST! Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the new year in Persian calendars.
After becoming a mother, I realize now that I am accountable for teaching Emerson the Persian culture and keeping these beautiful traditions alive in my family. I try speaking to Emerson only in Farsi (although I forget sometimes!) and after 31 years of watching my mom set the Haft Seen (the traditional table setting for Nowruz), Emerson is now watching me set this meaningful table. Here is a brief overview of the Haft Seen and its symbolism:
Haft-Seen (Persian: هفتسین) or the seven 'S's is a traditional table setting of Nowruz, the traditional Iranian spring celebration
- Sabzeh - wheat, barley, mung bean or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolising rebirth
- Samanu - sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolising affluence
- Senjed - dried oleaster fruit - symbolising love
- Sir - (Persian: سیر)- garlic - symbolising medicine
- Sib - (Persian: سیب)- apples - symbolising beauty and health
- Somāq - sumac fruit - symbolising (the color of) sunrise
- Sekkeh - coins - symbolising prosperity
