A traditional 'Haft Seen' arrangement, minus the vinegar.
Nowruz is a festival which marks the new year according to the solar calendar.
It's celebrated in many countries in the Middle East and Central Asia, and across the world.
The word 'nowruz' comes from the Persian language and means 'new day'. Traditions include cleaning your home, making special foods, and preparing seven symbolic things known as the 'Haft Seen'. These all begin with the letter 'S' (or letter 'Seen' in Persian).
Finn talked to Mahbod from ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Persian to find out more.
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Interview with Mahbod from ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Persian
Haft Seen: Seven symbolic foods and their Persian names
- Senjed
A sweet, dry fruit
For love and affection
- Serkeh
Vinegar
For patience and age
- Seeb
Apples
For health and beauty
- Seer
Garlic
For good health
- Samanu
Thick syrup extracted from germinated wheat
For fertility and affluence
- Sabzeh
Sprouted wheat or grass
For renewal of nature
- Somagh
Dark, red powder made from berries
Represents the first rays of the sunrise
Glossary
solar - relating to the sun
affection - a feeling of liking someone or something
germinated - (of a seed) having started growing
affluence - the state of having a lot of money
sprouted - (of a plant) started growing leaves or shoots
renewal - making something new and living again
