1391 here we come!

Well it is officially the New Year for Iranians. It turned new year at 1:15am, the exact moment it turns spring. Our beautiful new year is based not on religion, but on nature. Every part and ritual is symbolic representing life, birth, health, family and prosperity. We set a special table called the Haft Seen, meaning 7 S's. There are 7 things on the table all starting with S in Farsi. Garlic represents health and medicine, the coins represent prosperity, the grass represents growth, the eggs represent life as well as the fish and the list goes on. Most people put more than 7 items but the true meaning is 7 S's.

People decorate the tables to their own taste and we all gather around it to count down to the new year! There are little traditions such as setting the table with your loved one and wishing good thoughts as you set it. The night of the new year we eat a traditional Persian cuisine. Also all those that are young receive gifts and money from their elders. We celebrate for 13 days and on the last day we all gather and go to the park to enjoy mother nature. It is about spring and everything blossoming, it is one of the few holidays that has nothing to do with religion but everything to do with life and loving the earth and all it provides.

It is one of my favorite times of the year, always making me happy and appreciating my culture! I wish everyone a wonderful and healthy new year!