enthusiasticboy
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Iran, Islamic Republic Of
March 17, 2009
In harmony with the Nature, the Iranian New Year Celebration or NOROZ!(a Persian word that means "New Day.") always begins on the First day of Spring! Noroz ceremonies are symbolic representations of (Persian)Zoroastrian ancient concept. When we are in the last days of the year, people start to prepare themselves to welcome the New Year, but how..We start spring-cleaning, wash the carpets, clean the windows, and plant some new flowers like Sonbol, Shamdanie... We buy new clothes and gifts especially for children. But we try to make every thing new! It has its own philosophy. The first day of spring means the new birth of earth, Nature. By trying to make everything new we want to show our happiness, thanksgiving of this wonderful God’s gift, Spring! A ceremonial table called Sofreh-e Haft Sin (cloth of seven dishes), All Seven{or more} items in this ceremonial table starts with the Persian letter “ Seen ” or “ S ” in the English.
- Sabzeh - wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth
- Samanu - a sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing the ultimate sophistication of Persian cooking.
- Senjed - the dried fruit of the oleaster tree - symbolizing love
- Sir - garlic - symbolizing medicine
- Sib - apples - symbolizing beauty and health
- Somaq - sumac berries - symbolizing (the color of) sunrise
- Serkeh - vinegar - symbolizing age and patience
- a few coins represent prosperity and wealth
- a basket of painted eggs represents fertility
- a bowl with goldfish (life, and the sign of Pisces which the sun is leaving)
- a bowl of water with an orange in it (the earth floating in space)
- A mirror which represents the images and reflections of Creation as we celebrate anew the ancient Persian traditions and beliefs that creation took place on the first day of spring.
- a holy book (e.g., the Qur’an, Avesta, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bible, or Torah) and/or a poetry book (almost always either the Shahnama or the Divan of Hafez)
- On either side of the mirror are two candlesticks holding a flickering candle for each child in the family. The candles represent enlightenment and happiness.
- rosewater for its magical cleansing powers
After that it is Noroz during this time people visit each other to say happy New Year and receive their gifts(Edie) by these visiting they destroy the root of hatred and plant the seed of kindness and peace!
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