Nowruz

Nowruz has been around for over 3,000 years — a beautiful gift from our ancestors, rooted in Iranian culture. It marks the start of spring, when nature wakes up, flowers bloom, and the world comes alive with color. From 4shanbe Soori and spring cleaning to setting up the Haft-Seen table and sharing warm wishes with loved ones, Nowruz is all about togetherness and hope. What’s cool about Nowruz is that it follows the solar calendar — the most accurate in the world. The Persian New Year starts at the exact moment when spring begins, when day and night are perfectly balanced — pretty amazing, right? Nowruz isn’t just celebrated in Iran. People in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and parts of Iraq, Turkey, India, and Pakistan also join in the festivities.  

Haft-seen

As spring approaches, Iranian homes prepare a special table: the Haft-Seen. But this is more than just a tradition—it’s a symbol of life, hope, and renewal for the coming year.  The tradition of Haft-Seen dates back over 2,500 years, originating during the Hakhamaneshi Empire. The original Haft-Seen items are not only symbolic but also come from nature, and all of them are edible. They are all natural, sustainable products that can be enjoyed or used in some way during the celebration. Here’s the list: 

Seer (garlic) symbolizes health and medicine. 
Senjed (dried oleaster) represents love. 
Somāq (sumac) stands for the sunrise and patience. 
Serkeh (vinegar) represents aging gracefully. 
Sib (apple) symbolizes beauty and good health. 
Samanu (sweet pudding) represents strength. 
Sabzeh (sprouts) represents new beginnings. 

In addition to these, the Haft-Seen table also includes other meaningful items: a mirror (reflecting truth), candles (symbolizing hope), Sekeh (coins) (signifying wealth), a Divan of Hafez (for good fortune, Sonbol (hyacinth) (representing the arrival of spring), and painted eggs (representing fertility). For many of us, nothing was more exciting than painting those eggs before Nowruz when we were children. These items reflect our wishes for the year ahead – health, love, wisdom, and strength. Together, they remind us of the power of nature and the spirit of growth that Nowruz brings.