In ancient times each of the items corresponded to one of the seven creations and the seven holy immortals protecting them. Today they are changed and modified but some have kept their symbolism. All the seven items start with the letter "S"; this was not the order in ancient times. These seven things usually are: Seeb apple , Sabze green grass , Serke vinager , Samanoo a meal made out of wheat , Senjed a special kind of berry , Sekke coin , and Seer garlic.
Sometimes instead of Serke they put Somagh sumak, an Iranian spice. Zoroastrians today do not have the seven "S"s but they have the ritual of growing seven seeds as a reminder that this is the seventh feast of creation, while their sprouting into new growth symbolized resurrection and eternal life to come.
Wheat or lentil representing new growth is grown in a flat dish a few days before the New Year and is called Sabzeh green shoots. Decorated with colorful ribbons, it is kept until Sizdah beh dar, the 13th day of the New Year, and then disposed outdoors. A few live gold fish the most easily obtainable animal are placed in a fish bowl.
In the old days they would be returned to the riverbanks, but today most people will keep them. Mirrors are placed on the spread with lit candles as a symbol of fire.
Most of the people used to place Qoran on their Sofreh spread in order to bless the New Year. But some people found another alternative to Qoran and replaced it by the Divan-e Hafez poetry book of Hefez , and during "Saal Tahvil" reading some verses from it was popular.
Nowadays, a great number of Iranians are placing Shahnameh the Epic of Kings of Ferdowsi on their spread as an Iranian national book. Iranian families light fire outside their houses in Tehran on March 13, during Chaharshanbe Soori.
The fire serves as a symbol of light and good, while families wish for enlightenment and happiness for the new year, the Iran Chamber Society says. Nowruz also traces its origins to the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, in which fire was a central focus. Light and fire in the religion were " essential elements for sustaining life ," according to the Heritage Institute.
Got it: Tables, fires, parties. Anything else? Iranians also have their version of Santa Claus -- Amoo Nowruz, or Uncle Nowruz -- and a small, cheerful jester who works for him. Haji Firooz, the second figure, pops up during the Persian New Year to bring good wishes. He is depicted with blackface. Also known as Haji Firuz, the character is an African slave who serves an Iranian master, a reference to Iran's long history of slavery, writes Beeta Baghoolizadeh, with the Ajam Media Collective.
And the food? While jumping fires and pot-banging sound tempting, nothing compares with the dishes brought out during the Iranian New Year. The Persian cuisine, already famed for its variety of grilled meats and fluffy rice, leaves the old year behind with feasts of stews, spicy foods and colorful cookies and pastries. Herbs are key. Fish, meat, rice, noodles and beans in various dishes are all peppered with fresh mint, tarragon, basil and other green herbs.
The main Nowruz dish is Sabzi Polo Mahi: fried fish beside rice filled with green herbs. Another, Dolmeh Barg, includes cooked meat and rice stuffed inside grape leaves.
And Fesenjan, one of Iran's most famous stews, offers meat, usually chicken and sometimes duck, in pomegranate and walnut sauce. The list goes on and on. What's most important about the food of Nowruz is that it's shared by family, friends and neighbors. So, am I ready? And when the final countdown begins, hit play on this song, which traditionally plays while communities ring in the new year. Eide shoma mobarak! The themes of health, justice and respect for the Earth seem to be more relevant to the entire world this year than ever before.
As the pandemic spread across the world, it exposed inequalities. Following the death of George Floyd in May , thousands of Americans took to the streets to protest about racism. At the same time, many news reports noted how the Earth was healing as people stayed indoors. Global warming has led to climate change, which in turn has caused catastrophic changes in many parts of the world.
While the festivities will definitely be more subdued than usual due to COVID, the self-reflection and inner bonding with the Earth will still be part of the celebrations of Nowruz this year.
I believe that this year more than ever before, it is important to reflect on how we can be a part of a rebirth focused on justice that our world so desperately needs. Portsmouth Climate Festival — Portsmouth, Portsmouth. Edition: Available editions United Kingdom. Become an author Sign up as a reader Sign in. The celebration of Nowruz in Tehran in Pardis Mahdavi , Arizona State University.
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