In Collaboration with FISK Projects
What is a haft-seen you might ask? It’s an altar composed of 7 items that begin with the letter ‘s’ or ‘seen’ in Farsi, and displayed in households each year for Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. It’s often accompanied by items like coins, hyacinth or spring flowers, sweets, decorated eggs, a mirror, candles and varies from family to family. Each of the 7 arranged items represent aspects of renewal and positivity.
Serkeh/Vinegar (سرکه): Serkeh symbolizes old age, patience, the acceptance of goodwill and bearing of hardship.
Seer/Garlic (سیر): Garlic cloves symbolizes medicine and contentment.
Somagh/Sumac (سماق): Dried and granulated Sumac berries are a deep red color. Sumac symbolizes the color of dawn, before sunrise, and beginning of a new day.
Sabzeh/Wheat Sprout (سبزه): Sabzeh represents the rebirth of nature, its fertility, and symbolizes the start of Spring.
Samanoo/Wheat Paste (سمنو): Samanoo is made of wheat germ in a form of sweet paste. It symbolizes strength and preparedness for new year.
Seeb/Apple/ (سیب): The apple is a symbol of health and natural beauty.
Senjed/Silver Berry (سنجد): Senjed is a dehydrated fruit from a lotus tree and symbolizes love.
©21st Century
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