The Haft-Sin is yet another deeply important component of Nowruz rituals. The Haft-Sin describes seven (haft) items starting with the letter sin (S); the items are traditionally displayed on a table called the Sofreh-ye haft sin. As you may be able to notice, Haft-Sin tables often include more than seven items, and not all start with the letter sin. In the image below, items highlighted in green show the original items necessary for the Haft-Sin; some households choose to add additional items beginning with the letter sin, and some also choose to add further additions.

 

All items added to the Haft-Sin represent elements of the new year. Eggs, for example, represent fertility; coins represent wealth and prosperity; candles represents the purifying fire; and live goldfish may be added to represent life. It is also said that items on the Haft-Sin represent the seven divine entities that come from Ahura Mazda who is the highest deity in the Zoroastrian religion.

 

While the Haft-Sin has roots in ancient Zoroastrian beliefs, it is also believed that the ritual of the Haft-Sin is quite new, only gaining popularity over the last century. 

 

Below are the seven key Haft-Sin items:

 

1. Sabzeh - generally wheatgrass or barley, symbolizes rebirth and growth.

2. Seeb - apples, symbolizes beauty and health. 

3. Samanu - pudding made from wheat germ, symbolizes sweetness and fertility.

4. Sear - garlic, symbolizes medicine and health.

5. Senjed - Persian olive, also called a Russian olive; symbolizes love. 

6. Somaq - sumac, a popular seasoning; symbolizes the sunrise and new beginnings 

7. Serkeh - vinegar, symbolizes age and patience.