Norooz indicates the first day of Spring and the start of a new Persian year. This is normally on the 21 of March. This year Norooz is on March 20. This holiday has been seen recorded in Persian records as early as the second century A.D. A huge part of this holiday is also the “Haft Seen” or the Seven S’s. The Haft Seen consists of Sabzeh (grass), Sekkeh (coins), Samanu (a special pudding), Senjed (a dried tree fruit), seer (garlic), serkeh (vinegar), Seeb (apples), and sumac. All these represent something different. The Sabzeh or grass symbolizes rebirth. The Samanu which is a sweet pudding made from wheat sprouts represents affluence. A dried fruit from an Oleaster tree or Senjed is set on the table to represent love. Seer or garlic indicates medicine. Apples or Seeb illustrate beauty and health. Sumac exemplify the color of the sunrise. Serkeh or vinegar embody age and patience. There are many other items put on the table such as a mirror, a hyacinth plant, decorated eggs, a goldfish, lit candles, and most importantly a Holy book, Qur’an or Bible A few weeks before all the celebrating Iranians clean and rearrange their houses. They bake pastries, make or buy new clothes, and germinate seeds all as a sign of renewal. There’s also a celebration called Chahar Shambeh Soori. This is held on the last Tuesday of the year. People light big fires and jump over them in hopes of living through this unlucky night, the end of the year. After Norooz there is Sizdeh Bedar which means 13th day of the New Year. We celebrate this day to show we have made it through the first 13 days of the New Year. Norooz is very joyful and everybody looks forward to it.
This year also Persia restaurant will celebrate Norooz as of every year. Please contact Persia for more detail at 661-513-0077.