March 19, 2016
Happy Norooz! If you’re unfamiliar with the Persian culture, you’re likely unsure what this phrase means. Norooz means “New Day” and for Persians around the world, it is the start of the New Year. This year, Norooz falls on March 19, 2016 at 9:30 p.m. The exact beginning of Norooz occurs when the season changes from winter to spring on the vernal equinox.
Iranians around the world consider Norooz their biggest celebration of the year, and it begins with a traditional spring-cleaning of the home along with purchasing new clothes to ring in the New Year. One of the major parts of the Norooz celebration involves the setting up of the Haft-Seen table with seven very specific and symbolic items (Haft means seven and Seen is the letter “S”). Creating the Haft-Seen table begins with spreading a special family cloth along with the following seven items: Sumac (crushed spice berries to symbolize sunrise and the spice of life), Senjed (dry fruit of the lotus tree to symbolize love and affection), Serkeh (vinegar to symbolize patience and age), Seeb (apples to symbolize health and beauty), Sir (garlic to symbolize good health), Samanu (meal made of wheat to symbolize fertility), and Sabzeh (sprouted what grass to symbolize rebirth).
In addition, there are other symbolic items also placed on the Haft-Seen table, such as a mirror to symbolize the reflection of the past year, colored eggs to represent fertility, coins to symbolize prosperity, a bowl of real goldfish to symbolize new life, hyacinth flowers to represent to beginning of spring, and candles representing light and happiness.
After ringing in the New Year, family members hug and kiss and give each other presents (traditionally cash or gold coins). On New Year’s Day, for lunch or dinner, most Iranians will have Sabzi Polo Mahi which is a special dish of rice cooked with fresh herbs and served with smoked and freshly fried fish.
To many, today is just another typical day, but to Iranians around the world, today is a special day to celebrate culture and heritage.
Here at Merit Real Estate, we are celebrating the New Year with a vibrant mobile truck that will be driving around the South Bay playing traditional Persian music! Check out some pictures below and leave your comments if you happen to see it! We were also present at the DirecTV Norooz potluck!
Have a happy and prosperous Norooz!
Norooz Greetings:
Norooz Mobarak (Happy Norooz, Happy New Year);
Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak (Happy New Year to you);
Norooz Pirooz (Wishing you a Prosperous New Year);
Sad Saal be in Saal-ha (Wishing you 100 more Happy New Years)
