Iranians preparing for Nowruz celebrations

Iranians are getting prepared to celebrate their biggest cultural and national event, Nowruz , in coming days. Nowruz "New Day", originally "New Light", is the name of the New Year in Iranian calendars and the corresponding traditional celebrations. Nowruz is also widely referred to as the Persian New Year.

The event is celebrated and observed by Iranian peoples and the related cultural continent (in Afghanistan and Tajikistan) and has spread in many other parts of the world, including parts of Central Asia, South Asia, Northwestern China, the Crimea and some groups in the Balkans.

Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in Iranian calendar.

It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed.

Iranians are now going shopping in late days of Esfand (the last Iranian calendar month) to buy new clothing and be prepared for arrival of the New Year.

Also Haftsin or the seven 'S's is a traditional table setting of Nowruz.

Today the haftsin table includes seven specific items, all starting with the sin "S" in the Persian alphabet.

The items symbolically correspond to seven creations and holy immortals protecting them.

Originally called Haftchin , the Haftsin has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism.

Traditionally, families attempt to set the most aesthetically appealing Haftsin table they can as an expression of traditional, spiritual, and social value, for visitors during Nowruz visitations.

The Haftsin items are:

1. Sabzeh- wheat, barley, mung bean or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth.

2. Samanu- sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing affluence

3. Senjed- dried oleaster fruit - symbolizing love

4. Sir - garlic - symbolizing medicine

5. Sib- apples - symbolizing beauty and health

6. Somaq - sumac fruit - symbolizing (the color of) sunrise

7. Serkeh - vinegar - symbolizing old-age and patience