Haft seen

Haft seen

With the year coming to an end and another new year approaching (starting March 21or 20), the Persian are getting their tables ready with the seven articles.

A major part of the New Year rituals is setting a special table with seven specific items present, Haft Sin (Haft chin, seven crops before Islam). In the ancient times each of the items corresponded to one of the seven creations and the seven holly immortals protecting them. Today they are changed and modified but some have kept their symbolism .Number seven has been regarded as magical by Persian people since ancient times and has reference to the highest angel. The number is well ingrained in the culture and civilization of Eastern countries. Ancient account cite a Persian scientist, Abureyhan Beerooni, as having laid down the rules for the seven articles displayed on new year

Haft Seen is a traditional table decorated with at least seven or Haft symbolic objects, nutrients or plants beginning with the Persian letter " S " or " Seen ". They often consist of hyacinth : Sonbol , red apples : Seeb , the spice sumac : Somagh , garlic : Seer , vinegar : Serkeh, coins : Sekeh, Bohemian olives : Senjed, and a dish of germinated wheat or barley seeds : Sabzeh .The hyacinth blooms in the springtime, symbolizing the rebirth of nature. Red apples provide colour as well as representing the First Fruit, from the time of Adam and Eve. Sumagh is said to be the spice of life and garlic is believed to chase away evil spirits. Vinegar is a symbol of fermentation, having originated as grapes and undergone many transformations. The coins represent wealth and hopes for prosperity. The germinated seeds represent the fertility of the land in Spring . The tablecloth used on the Haft Seen table is made of hand-woven cloth, known as Termeh . The Holy Book of the household is placed on this table. On the table are also placed a mirror for the reflection of life, candles representing the light of life, goldfish in a bowl as a sign of living form, a painted egg for each member of the family, traditional pastries and bread to symbolize a plentiful year. The family gathers around the table holding hands at the specific time of Equinox, which varies every year. As they wait, they place a sweet in their mouth and a coin in their hand. At the moment of transition into the new year or Sal-Tahvil , family members embrace each other. A traditional meal is served made of steamed rice with chopped parsley, dill and chives served with fish, known as Sabzi Polo Mahi .

The Oxford Persian Society – Norouz 1383