Culture - Persian New Year - Noruz
(No ruz, Nowrouz, Nowruz, Nooruz)

New Year - Noruz (Nowruz, Norooz) NEW YEAR TABLE The traditional Noruz table called "Sofreh haft-seen" consisted of seven (7) kinds of food each starts with letter "sin" in Persian (Farsi) similar to the letter "s" in English -- symbolizing life, health, wealth, abundance, love, patience, and purity. Sabzeh, wheat or lentil sprouts represents rebirth. Samanu, a creamy pudding made from wheat germ is regarded as holy. Seeb, apple symbolizes health and beauty. Senjid, the dried fruit of lotus tree for love. Sir, garlic which is considered medicinal represents health. Somagh, sumac berries represents the color of sun and the victory of good over evil. Serkeh, vinegar represents old age and patience. There are other things you can place on the table which may not begin with letter 's' but have significance. For instance, a book symbolizing wisdom (Koran or other holy books or some people may put poetry books from Iranian poets). Sekeh, coin representing wealth. Sonbol and Laleh (hyacinth and tulip) two flowers symbolize spring. Painted eggs stands for fertility of people and land. A mirror to symbolize reflection of life, candles to represent happiness and goldfish to represent life. The table may also include an orange floating in a bowl of water to symbolize planet earth floating in space.