What is Nowruz (Persian New Years) ?

Nowruz is the national New Year festivity celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, and the Kurdish regions of Iraq, Turkey and Syria, and throughout Central Asia.the two-week celebrations centre on seeing relatives, picnicking, travelling, and eating traditional food, Nowruz itself - which is Farsi for New Day - is steeped in ancient myths and fiction, as well as traditions and symbols.

Nowruz begins at the spring equinox - the moment when the sun crosses the equator and day and night are of equal length.It is not known exactly how far back Nowruz goes, but current estimates are that it is at least 3,000 years old, when the Persian empire extended beyond the borders of modern Iran. 

Preparations for Nowruz celebrations in Iran begin weeks before the start of spring, including house-cleaning (khaneh takani). Families also grow sabzeh (wheat, barley, mung bean or lentils) in a dish. The most known tradition of Nowruz is Haft-Seen table. Haft-seen is the name of the special table of Nowruz, the Festival of new year and the beginning of spring. This table is made up of seven items that start with the letter “S”, in fact haft-seen literally means “seven S letters”!The items that are on the table traditional are :
1. Serkeh (Vinegar) symbolizes patience and immortality.

2. Sumac is a symbol of love and compassion.

3. Seeb (Apple) is said to represent health and fertility.

4. Senjed (Silverberry) is seen as a simulator of love and affection.

5. Sabzeh (Sprouts) symbolizes rebirth. The greens might have sprouted from wheat, lentils, barely or mung beans (and more recently citrus seeds).

6. Sir (Garlic) was traditionally thought to avert evil; given the pungent smell it diffuses, we couldn’t entirely reject that theory. It is a symbol of protection in the face of affliction.

7. Samanu is a nutritious pudding which comes in only one color: brown. To make Samanu, wheat sprouts are transformed into a sweet and creamy delight. The seventh “Seen” represents affluence.

This is a traditional Haft-seen table at Pars Market!

Come by at Pars Market for the best selection of Persian  products at reasonable prices! We look forward seeing you at Pars!

Pars Market LLC

9400 Snowden River Parkway

Columbia, MD 21045

1-(443)-259-0002

http://www.parsmarketcolumbia.com

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