I finally set up my Haft Seen yesterday. I was waiting for the gold fish to hit the Persian stores. My Haft Seens have been slightly different every year but not drastically different as I always use the same little clear bowls. I always like to make a small Haft Seen, that’s my thing.
I was looking back at pictures from the past few years and I thought I would share some pictures.
Norouz 2005. My, were my lentil sprouts out of control!!
Norouz 2006. This one came out pretty nicely. This is also the year that I decided to give up on getting gold fish because no matter what I did, they just died.
Norouz 2007. Didn’t have one as I was right in the middle of moving.
Norouz 2008. Do you see a pattern here with lentil sprouts? Yes, I love lentil sprouts!
Norouz 2009. For the first time my Haft Seen has real eggs. My mom and sister colored the eggs for me as they were here last year for Norouz. My mom and sister got all creative with the garlic. Also, gold fish make an appearance. We got those from the local Persian market free with our purchases. I also switched to wheat sprouts!
Norouz 2010. This is this year! Real eggs , wheat sprouts and gold fish once again!! Unfortunately, I forgot to buy a red apple this year.
So what is Sofreh Haft Seen all about? Every single item symbolizes something. Haft Seen in Farsi means seven “S.” The spread must have seven items that in Farsi begin with the letter “s,” specifically the letter “seen.”
The main items are:
1. Somagh (sumac) : symbolizes the color of sunrise
2. Serkeh (vinegar): symbolizes age and patience
3. Senjed (dried fruit from lotus tree): symbolizes love
4. Samanoo (sweet pudding): symbolizes affluence
5. Sabzeh (sprouts): symbolizes rebirth
6. Sib (apple): symbolizes health and beauty
7. Sir (garlic): symbolizes medicine
Additional items that begin with the letter “s” that are commonly seen on the Sofreh are:
Sekkeh (coin): symbolizes wealth and prosperity
Sonbol (hyacinth): a spring spring flower
Other items included are:
Mahi (fish): symbolizes life
Tokhmeh Morgh (egg): symbolizes fertility
Sham (candle): symbolizes enlightenment
Shirini (sweets): symbolizes spreading the sweetness
A book of poetry or prayer
The Persian New Year, Norouz coincides with the Spring Equinox. I love this aspect of our culture because when the new year begins, it really feels like a beginning as the transition from winter into spring is seen in natures and felt in the air. Norouz is very much so of a cultural celebration in Iran and has been celebrated for centuries. It is customary for families to gather around the Haft Seen at the moment of the Spring Equinox and celebrate the transition from winter into spring together. The elders present family members with Eidee, which is a small monetary presents for Norouz.
Have you set up your Haft Seen yet?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
eid e norouz mubarak! a beautiful haft seen set-up!
Shayma, thank you! Same to you, love!
Now ruzetah farkhondeh bad !
Best wishes for a good and healthy year
Your tables are beautiful!
Beautiful! Happy New Year, or should I say Eid e Nowruz Mubarak? I’m with you–the refreshing transition into Spring is a perfect moment for a new year. It just makes so much sense on so many levels. I’m lucky–my bday falls a couple of weeks after Nowruz, so this time of year always feels like a new beginning for me. Enjoy the holiday
Bria, I am almost afraid to ask…my bday is on the 20th day of the new year…when is yours????
Dear Editor of this page (and other readers)!
Har ruzetan Nowruz; Nowruzetan Piruz!
Excellently done with your “Haftseen table”.
It was a pleasure to take a look at your pictures.
Best wishes!
Bedrud, from Delft, The Netherlands.
The Soltani family.
I am American and recently met a Persian girl and was lucky enough to spend the Persian New Year with her and her family. I googled until I found your site so I could understand the meaning behind each item. It was such a pleasure to see not only your pictures but also all that you wrote. I now have an even greater understanding of what is being celebrated and I think it is beautiful, thank you for taking the time to do this.
Amy, thank you for your comment. I am very happy that my post was helpful to you!
Ooops, forgot to answer your follow up question about my bday. I know, the uncanny coincidences between us must continue, right? Ha! My bday is April 4th. Easter this year, which is pretty darn cool. So it sounds like we are both Aries, right?
It was very informative. Although all of know most of it but it is very nice to have these information.
Many Thanks
Sirous
Dear Shayma,
I am Greek born in Tehran. Love Persian food and people.
I went looking for a Naan Berenji recipe and here you are!
I will try it and keep you posted.
Best always.
Nicky
So glad I found your website – I’m half-Iranian and am getting ready to have my first haft seen of my own (like a real grown up
) and couldn’t remember all the items (just started on my sabzi last night) – still not sure where I’ll find samanoo but I’m glad to have this list to remind me. And even happier to find all of your recipes – what a great resource!
Banafsheh, I am glad to be of help!!!!
Thank you for all this information. I’m trying to figure out if this English-American gal can pull off a 7 “S” table for our Naw-Ruz party tomorrow night, as our Baha’i community celebrates Naw-Ruz.
Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak!
Valerie
Thank you for showing us the beautiful Navroze table laying . next year i shall definitely do it if God wills so. how many days before do we have to prepare the growing plants????pls let me know n the diff. colored flowers have any significance .?
Hello,
I would like to start the tradition of Sofreh this year. When is the timing for start growing Sabzeh? Thx
The Parsi Community celebrates Navroze by going to the fire temple, praying and then eating good Parsi Food. It would be wonderful to set a haft seen table like yours.
I have posted this link on my website http://www.ParsiCuisine.com for setting the Haft Seen Table.
Best regards and Norouz mubarak,
Rita
What a beautiful post on a beautiful occasion. Thank you for putting all the elements together. With your permission I have shared your link and blog on my face book page and have used some of your wonderful descriptions and credited this post. Nowruz Pirooz. Bahareh
Good job with the explaination of each item. Although I’m Persian, I quite often forget what each item symbolizes! Thanks & EID NOW MOBARAK