I’ve been really delighted to know we were assigned to do blogging in our essay
-writing class. Owing to the course professor, Dr. Marandi, I am assured that it is going to be something really worth to be given a try. So, for the moment I’m determined to give it my best shot; Give me a hand to make the best out of it… .But also there is another beginning which is the dearest to all iranians: The New Year in Iran starts in the first day of spring (March 21st), and is a very significant time for Persians.
-writing class. Owing to the course professor, Dr. Marandi, I am assured that it is going to be something really worth to be given a try. So, for the moment I’m determined to give it my best shot; Give me a hand to make the best out of it… .But also there is another beginning which is the dearest to all iranians: The New Year in Iran starts in the first day of spring (March 21st), and is a very significant time for Persians.
Norouz, new day or New Year as the Iranians call it, is a celebration of spring Equinox. It is the most cherished of all the Iranian festivals and is celebrated by all.
A major part of the New Year rituals is setting a special table with seven specific items present, Haft Sin (Haft chin, seven crops before Islam). In the 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’.
1.Sabze(Wheat or lentil) representing new growth is grown in a flat dish a few days before the New Year and is called ‘Sabzeh’ (meaning green shoots). Decorated with colorful ribbons it is kept till the last day and will be disposed off on ‘Sizdeh be dar’, the 13th day while outdoors.
2.sepand, esfand seeds of wild rue often placed in a small incense burner and burned just after the turn of the year
3.sib (apples)
4.sekke a few newly minted coins
5.sir (fresh garlic) which is used to warn off bad omen.
6.serke vinegar
7.a bowl of samanu: a thick, sweet paste reddish in color, made of wheat, water, oil, flour, almonds or walnuts. Some used to be distributed among neighbors, who return the container together with one or more colored eggs or a green leaf.
A major part of the New Year rituals is setting a special table with seven specific items present, Haft Sin (Haft chin, seven crops before Islam). In the 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’.
1.Sabze(Wheat or lentil) representing new growth is grown in a flat dish a few days before the New Year and is called ‘Sabzeh’ (meaning green shoots). Decorated with colorful ribbons it is kept till the last day and will be disposed off on ‘Sizdeh be dar’, the 13th day while outdoors.
2.sepand, esfand seeds of wild rue often placed in a small incense burner and burned just after the turn of the year
3.sib (apples)
4.sekke a few newly minted coins
5.sir (fresh garlic) which is used to warn off bad omen.
6.serke vinegar
7.a bowl of samanu: a thick, sweet paste reddish in color, made of wheat, water, oil, flour, almonds or walnuts. Some used to be distributed among neighbors, who return the container together with one or more colored eggs or a green leaf.
There are some other things which are appreciated at Norouz table:
A few live gold fish (the most easily obtainable animal) are placed in a fish bowl.
Mirrors are placed on the spread with lit candles as a symbol of fire. Zoroastrians today place the lit candle in front of the mirror to increase the reflection of the light. Mirrors were significant items in Zoroastrian symbolism art and architecture, and still are an integral part of most Iranian celebrations including marriage ceremony. They are used extensively in Iranian mystical literature as well and represent self-reflection. All Iranian burial shrines are still extensively decorated with mirrors, a popular decorative style of the ancient times. Light is regarded as sacred by the Zoroastrians and the use of mirrors multiplies the reflection of the light.
Egg a universal symbol of fertility corresponding to the mother earth, Sepanta Armaiti is still present. The eggs are hard-boiled and traditionally are colored in red, green or yellow, colors favored by Zoroastrians. Recently following the Easter Egg tradition, any color is used and they are elaborately decorated. The eggs are offered to children as treats. And at the end:
3 comments:
the picture is very nice(she resembles me when I was 10!)
you are a perfect narrator!
the way you retell your story shows how expert you are in socializing.
my dearest,
the way you've narrated your memory shows how expert you are in socializing!(a professional story teller:)
Post a Comment