What I remember most about this holiday was, as a child, running to our elders and saying "Eideh shoma mobarak!" and promptly being rewarded with a brand new dollar bill (sometimes we were lucky enough to get $5 or even $10), a tradition similar to Chinese New Year.
The St. Joseph's Day altars especially triggered one Persian New Year tradition that is always observed by my aunts and cousins, the "Haftseen" or seven "S's." A gorgeous table is laid out displaying seven different items that begin with the seen (Sā) in the Persian alphabet:
Sib - apples symbolizing beauty and health
Sabzeh - lentil sprouts growing in a dish symbolizing rebirth
Samanu - sweet pudding symbolizing affluence
Senjed - dried fruit symbolizing love
Sir - garlic symbolizing medicine
Somāq - rich orange/red sumac symbolizing the sunrise
Serkeh - vinegar symbolizing old-age and patience
I asked my cousin Raya to send me a picture of my Aunt Remelia's haftseen table this year. As you can see, there are other items on the table aside from the traditional "seven" that also have their own meaning. For example the goldfish in the bowl represent life, the mirror symbolizes truth, the decorated egg is fertility and the candles represent enlightenment.
When I look at the Haftseen, it makes my heart ache a little. It's at times like these when I miss my family back in California and the holidays and traditions I took for granted growing up. I am also missing some of the most delicious Persian dishes that are often served in celebration of the New Year like sabsi polo (a vegetable rice made with parsley, dill and cilantro), dolmeh and kookoo sabsi (like an omelet made with spinach, onions and chives).
Happy New Year everyone or "Eideh shoma mobarak!"
3 comments:
What a wonderful tradition. You're lucky to have experienced that. And don't worry, I'm sure you'll get some opportunities to celebrate with your family again......or have your own in New Orleans.
Thanks judyb! ;) I know if I went back to California, I would only spend my days pining to return home to New Orleans...
I loved this entry! I am missing my family and their St. Joseph's celebration this year as well, although next year my mom, stepfather, three great-aunties and sister are planning to come here to celebrate! I JUST read an editorial in the NY Times about the Persian welcoming of spring too!
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