How to Celebrate Persian New Year
Persian New Year, also known as Iranian New Year, is celebrated on March 21 to 22. The holiday’s real name is Nowruz, which means “new day.”
Nowruz may be where Americans got the tradition of spring cleaning, as a deep clean of the home in the weeks leading up to the holiday is part of the traditional festivities. The holiday dates back 3,000 years, and was a Zororastrian holiday, which means it spread far beyond the boundaries of its native Iran.
How do I decorate for Nowruz?
Your haftsin table will be the centerpiece. It will hold a collection of seven items, each representing a different hope for the year ahead (see below).
You can also decorate with colored eggs, similar to the way you’d decorate for Easter. The associations are even similar: they symbolize productivity, creativity, rebirth, and spring.
Decorating with new flowers, fresh green plants, and light, springtime colors are all highly appropriate.
What goes on a Haftsin table?
The Haftsin or haft-seen table is a collection of seven items that symbolize a different hope for the new year.
- Sabzeh is a sprout or grass that will grow to symbolize rebirth or renewal. You should start the sprouts at least 10 days before the holiday. Three days after Nowruz, you’re supposed to toss it into a moving body of water.
- Senjed is dried fruit for love.
- Sib is apples for beauty and health.
- Seer is garlic, for medicine and for taking care of yourself.
- Samanu is a sweet pudding for wealth and fertility.
- Serkeh is vinegar for patience and wisdom.
- Sumac is for the sunrise of a new day.
You may hear these items referred to as the “seven S’s” of Nowruz.
Once those seven items are set you can decorate, customize, and add to the table as you see fit. Note that this table is set aside, it’s not the table where you eat your meal.
Celebrants take great pride in setting a gorgeous table. You can also add candles, eggs, and other decorations. A nice tablecloth will help to offset your table.
What are Persian New Year eggs?
The tradition of decorating eggs for Nowruz predates Christianity and may have been the origin of the tradition at the Easter holiday. You can decorate them just as you’d decorate Easter eggs, or you can go more elaborate by painting designs onto your eggs with nontoxic paint. Some even prefer using artificial eggs.
For more visual interest, you can branch away from chicken eggs so that you can offer eggs of different sizes. Egg-shaped candy is also appropriate!
Persian New Year Traditional Gifts
It is traditional to bring gifts when you are invited to a Nowruz celebration. Traditional gifts include flowers, sweets, and pastries.
When you bring gifts, presentation is a big deal! Use nice handmade paper or fancy ribbons. Create a beautiful flower arrangement or decorate the pot on a potted plant. Whatever you do, make it look nice.
It’s also traditional to give a little money to the children on this day.
Other Persian New Year Traditions
Cook lots of food! Try traditional Iranian foods, or choose dishes that center on greens and herbs to symbolize renewal.
Buy a new set of clothes for your Nowruz party. This is traditional too, and there’s nothing like having a great excuse to shop!
Paper Plus has plenty of items to help you with your Nowruz celebration, from egg coloring kits to brightly colored napkins and tablecloths. Stop by to see what’s in stock!
