First Day of Nowruz - Nowruz Mubarak : Niloufar Pourzand

Niloufar's Nowruz Table

Dear friends,

Tonight, 19 March at 11:07 pm EST, we welcome the exact moment of our Nowrouz or New Year 1403. It is based on Omar Khayam’s calculation of the Spring Equinox.

We celebrate for over two weeks, with get togethers, our special & symbolic decorations, unique food and sweets, spring cleaning, new clothes, gift exchanges etc. ending with a picnic & nature outing - all in the spirit of renewal, overcoming winter blues, resistance to keep our traditions alive amidst onslaughts & the identity of our community & our ancestors’ legacy for future generations. It is celebrated by over 300 million people in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, diaspora communities etc.

Nowrouz mobarak!

Niloufar

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Editor's Note - Be happy!! - In addition to being the second day of Nowruz and the second day of Spring, tomorrow 20 March also happens to be the 'International Day of Happiness'

The table set for Nowruz, also known as Haft-Sin, is a traditional part of the Iranian New Year celebration. The table is typically placed in the living area of the home, often on a cloth called a sofreh or spread, and is faced toward the sunrise. The table is made up of seven essential items, or "haft," that each have a symbolic meaning for the new year:

Sabzeh: Sprouts of lentils or wheatgrass, representing rebirth and renewal
Samanu: A thick, sweet pudding made from germinated wheat
Senjed: Dried fruit from a lotus tree, representing love
Serkeh: Persian vinegar, representing age and patience
Seeb: An apple, representing beauty
Seer: Garlic, representing medicine and healthy
Somaq: Sumac, representing sunrise