Celebrating Norooz

This week at the World Cafe we recognised NOROOZ, Persian New Year. I owe A BIG THANK YOU to my friends, Morteza and Maryam, who brought along all the items needed for the Haft Sîn.

"Thankyou , Morteza and Maryam, for taking the time to do this for us. I value your friendship and I'm praying for Maryam's upcoming exams."

Haft Sîn (Persian: هفت سین‎) or the seven 'S's is a traditional table setting of Norooz, the Iranian spring celebration. 

The haft sin table includes seven items starting with the letter 'S' or Sīn (س) in the Persian alphabet.  

Our seven items were ...

sabzeh – wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish
– symbolising rebirth

samanu – a sweet pudding made from germinated wheat
– symbolising affluence

senjed – the dried fruit of the oleaster tree – symbolizing love

sīr – garlic – symbolising medicine

sīb – apples – symbolising beauty and health

somaq – sumac berries – symbolising (the colour of) sunrise

serkeh – vinegar – symbolising age and patience.

This slightly dubious looking character is Hajji Firuz, the traditional herald of Norooz. He oversees celebrations for the New Year perhaps as a remnant of the ancient Zoroastrian fire-keeper.  I did ask our Health & Safety Officer if we could do some traditional Persian fire-jumping but for some strange reason he said "NO".

Hafez, was a mystical poet born in Shiraz, Iran in the 1300s

"Dorsa & Dorna, it was so lovely to see you. We must have a coffee together sometime soon."