This article is prepared in the spirit of "Nowruz", the New Year celebration which falls on March 20, 2022.
Nowruz has been celebrated in Iranian plateau for 7,000 years.
It's a holiday, with many meaningful symbols and traditions revolving around the earth's cycle and new beginnings. It is also light and joyous, the first day reserved for gathering around the Haft-sin table and then joining loved ones for a family-style feast.
The tradition 'Haft-Sin' or
'Haft Seen' (Persian for "Seven S's") refers to seven items whose names start
with S in Persian, which are placed on a table along with other things as part
of New Year tradition. The 'Haft-sin' table generally consists of the following
seven items:
1. Sabzeh - wheat, barley, mung bean, or lentil
sprouts are grown in a dish. It is a reminder of nature symbolizes rebirth,
renewal and growth after leaving behind a period of inaction in the winter.
2. Samanu - wheat germ sweet pudding.
3. Senjed - dried fruit symbolizes love.
4. Serkeh - vinegar symbol of patience and
longevity
5. Seeb - apple represents health and beauty.
6. Seer - garlic symbolizes medicine and are
believed to keep evil spirits and bad omens away.
7. Somaq - sumac which is also believed to be
the spice of life. The reddish-purple powder is used as a spice in West Asian
cuisine to add a lemony taste to meat and salads, symbolizes the color of
sunrise and the triumph of good over evil.
In 2010, the "International Day of Nowruz" was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly. This Resolution welcomes the efforts of Member States where Nowruz is celebrated to preserve and develop the culture and traditions related to Nowruz, and encourages Member States to make efforts to raise awareness about Nowruz and to organize annual events in commemoration of this festivity.
Nowruz plays a significant role in strengthening the ties among people based on mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good deeds. Its traditions and rituals reflect the cultural and ancient customs of the civilizations of the East and West, which have influenced those civilizations through the interchange of human values.
Happy Nowruz to all members of OEN and international communities.
1
1
1
