Happy First Day of Spring!!
The first day of spring also marks Persian New Year also known as Nowruz! Today marks the official first day of spring. Persians and many other countries celebrate this joyous day as a welcoming of spring and the renewal of nature. The UN has recognized today as International Day of Nowruz.
There are many traditions and rituals that take place leading up to Nowruz and following it. The exact time of new year is known as "Tahvil" and its marked by the exact moment when the vernal equinox occurs. Therefore the new year doesn't always occur at the same time every year - as opposed to NYE when the clock strikes midnight - this year on the East Coast Tahvil was at 6:28am.
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The most significant tradition - and my favorite - of Nowruz is the traditional new year table known has "Haft Seen." The Haft Seen translates to the Seven S's which consists of seven items that symbolize various things and begin with the farsi letter S. These items include:
Sumaq [Sumac] symbolizing the color of sunrise
Senjed [Wild Olives] symbolizing love
Serkeh [Vinegar] symbolizing old age and patience
Sib [Apple] symbolizing beauty
Seer [Garlic] symbolizing medicine
Samanu [Wheat sprout pudding] symbolizing affluence
Sabzeh [Wheat, barley, or lentil sprouts growing in a dish] symbolizing rebirth
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In addition to these items it is customary to include other symbolic items depending on the tradition of the family. These items include: Sonbol [Hyacinth] symbolizing fragrance, Sekkeh [Coins] symbolizing wealth, a gold fish to mark the the passage from Pisces to Aries, a mirror to reflect the light of wisdom and creation, candles to symbolize holy fire, decorated eggs to represent fertility, and a copy of the Quran or religious text to signify prayers.
Wishing all those who celebrate Nowruz a happy first day of spring. Eyedeh shoma mobarak!
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