NOWRUZ (new day) is in harmony with the rebirth of nature. Nowruz is always on the first day of spring. Throughout the world, over 350 million people celebrate as the year changes on the vernal equinox, which may occur on March 20 or 21. The arrival of the New Year is at the precise moment the sun crosses the equator. For instance, this year it is on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 14:24 (PST).
The ceremonies for this tradition represent the ancient concepts of Good and Evil, as well as End and Rebirth. Weeks before the arrival of the New Year, homes are cleaned, new clothes purchased, and various pastries baked.
Before the arrival of Nowruz, all households spread a cloth known as sofreh-ye-haftseen – a collection of seven dishes that begin with the Persian letter S. The number seven has been sacred since ancient times and the seven main dishes placed on the cloth each representing earth’s abundance and life.
Sabzeh – sprouts from wheat or lentil for rebirth; Samanu – a sweet pudding made of wheat sprouts for rebirth; Seeb – apple for beauty; Senjed – sweet dry fruit of lotus for happiness and love; Serkeh – vinegar for age and patience; Seer – garlic for health; Sumagh – sumac berries for joy
Other traditional foods, sweets, and flowers are added to the haftseen. Sekeh (coins) are placed in a bowl of water and, once the New Year arrives, the coins are given to the family members as a wish for prosperity and wealth. Colored eggs in the number of children or family members represent fertility. A Naranj (Seville orange) floating in a bowl of water is symbolic of the earth. A goldfish in a bowl of water represents life and the end of the astral year – Pisces. Sonbol, hyacinth, iris, narcissus, tulips, and other spring-blooming flowers are added to the sofreh. A mirror and candles are placed on the sofreh for reflections of creation, light, and happiness throughout the year. Some families also add seven dishes of different traditional sweets or pastries to their sofreh-ye-haftseen.
As the sun enters the constellation Aries from Pisces, the equinox occurs – Nowruz arrives and festivities begin. Everyone is offered a sweet pastry and given a coin by the eldest member of the family and wished a year of happiness and good fortune – “Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds throughout the year.”
