The Iranian Symbolic Dishes

With the passing of a year and the coming of another, Iranians get their tables ready with the seven articles that symbolize the triumph of good over evil. The belief dates back to antiquity but the practice is still very much alive. The seven articles usually used are vinegar (serkeh), apple (seeb), garlic (seer), wild olive (senjed), sumac (somaq), juice of germinating wheat or malt mixed with flour and brought to a consistency (Samanu) and a dish of specially raised wheat or other seed spour (Sabzeh). Note that all articles begin with the Persian "s" sound.

Number seven has been regarded as magical by Iranians since ancient times and is symbolic of heaven's highest angels.

Along with the seven articles, Muslims place the Holy Qur'an and Zoroastrians put the Avesta in their New Year table to implore God's blessings. A jar of water is sometimes added to symbolize purity and freshness, along with bread, a traditional symbol of a sustainer of life. It is usual to see fresh milk, cheese, fruits, dates and coins on the New Year table. Wild olives and apples are symbols of love and pomegranates are fruits venerated by Iranians. Coins are used to symbolize prosperity and spherical sour oranges represent the earth.

The symbolic dishes consist of:

1. Sabzeh or sprouts, usually wheat or lentil representing rebirth.

2. Samanu is a pudding in which common wheat sprouts are transformed and given new life as a sweet, creamy pudding and represents the ultimate sophistication of Persian cooking.

3. Seeb means apple and represents health and beauty.

4. Senjed the sweet, dry fruit of the Lotus tree, represents love. It has been said that when lotus tree is in full bloom, its fragrance and its fruit make people fall in love and become oblivious to all else.

5. Seer which is garlic in Persian, represents medicine.

6. Somaq sumac berries, represent the color of sunrise; with the appearance of the sun Good conquers Evil.

7. Serkeh or vinegar, represents age and patience

To reconfirm all hopes and wishes expressed by the traditional foods, other elements and symbols are also on the sofreh):

• a few coins placed on the sofreh represent prosperity and wealth;

• a basket of painted eggs represents fertility;

• a Seville orange floating in a bowl of water represents the earth floating in space;

• a goldfish in a bowl represents life and the end of astral year-picas;

• a flask of rose water known for its magical cleansing power, is also included on the tablecloth;

• Nearby is a brazier for burning wild rue ,a sacred herb whose smoldering fumes ward off evil spirits;

• A pot of flowering hyacinth or narcissus is also set on the sofreh;

• A mirror which represents the images and reflections of Creation as we celebrate anew the ancient Persian traditions and beliefs that creation took place on the first day of spring.

• On either side of the mirror are two candlesticks holding a flickering candle for each child in the family. The candles represent enlightenment and happiness;

 

other links:

Norooz: The Iranian New year

IRANIAN NEW YEAR

Haft-Sin