Haftseen or the seven 'S's is a traditional table setting of Nowruz, the traditional Iranian spring celebration. Today the haft seen table includes seven specific items, all starting with the seen (Sā) in the Persian alphabet. Originally called Haftchin (Haftĉin), the Haft Seen has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families attempt to set the most aesthetically appealing Haft Sîn table they can as an expression of traditional, spiritual, and social value, for visitors during Nowruz visitations. The Haft Seen items are:
- Sabzeh - wheat, barley, mung bean or lentilsprouts growing in a dish - symbolising rebirth
- Samanu - sweetpudding made from wheat germ - symbolising affluence
- Senjed - dried oleaster fruit - symbolising love
- Sir - garlic - symbolising medicine
- Sib - apples - symbolising beauty and health
- Somāq - sumac fruit - symbolising (the color of) sunrise
- Serkeh - vinegar - symbolising old-age and patience
A slightly less traditional Haft Seen may also include:
- Sonbol - the fragrant hyacinth flower - symbolising the coming of spring
- Sekkeh - coins - symbolising prosperity
- Iranianpastries such as Baqlava ,
- Tut - white berries, Nān-Noxodchi )
- Ājil - driednuts, berries and raisins
- lit candles symbolising enlightenment and happiness
- a mirror symbolising Truth, the reflection of the Real World
- sekanjabin - a sweet mintsyrup
- decorated eggs, sometimes one for each member of the family symbolising fertility
- a bowl with goldfish symbolising life, and the constellation of Pisces which the Sun is leaving[citation needed]
- water with a bitter orange in it symbolising Earth "floating" in space
- rose water, used to cleanse in Islam before prayer and is also heavily prevalent in Iranian cuisine
- the flag of Iran
- A poetry book, such as the Shahnameh or the Divan of Hafez, or a religious text such as the holy Quran or Avesta
Source: Wikipedia:Haft sin table"
and I heard somewhere that the name of the goldfish is anahita (the name of the iranian princess)
and it's the angle of the table :)
Comments
Fantastic, Melina pn. Very interesting and informative blog.
Happy Nowruz to you and your family!