Jamshed Navroz
Over 3000 years ago, Shah Jamshed of the Peshadian dynasty ascended the throne
on the Spring Equinox. His descendants, the Parsi community, celebrate it as
the New Year, the dawn of a new day (Navroz literally means “new day”).
It is celebrated, even today, with prayers and feasting.
In homes, a special spread, Haft-Sinn - the seven S's - is prepared. Seven is
considered to be a lucky number and the spread contains seven items that begin
with “s” in Farsi: sabzeh (home grown sprouts), samanou (wheat germ),
sib (apples), sonbol (hyacinth), senjed (sorb tree berry), seer (garlic), somagh
(sumac). The table also holds seven foods beginning with ' sh ' in Persian,
sharab (wine), shakka r (sugar), shir (milk), shirinberej (sweet meat), shirin
(sweet), shira (syrup) and shahad (honey); a copy of the Gathas (scriptures);
a lit lamp; a mirror; a bowl of water with live fish; a shallow earthenware
plate with sprouted wheat or beans (for prosperity); flowers (for colour); a
gold or silver coin (for wealth); painted eggs (for productivity); and sweets
and rosewater in bowls (for sweetness and happiness). These are meant to symbolize
creation and to welcome spring.
Visitors to the house are first led to this table. They are asked to smile
into the mirror, so that they may smile throughout the year. They are asked
to look at the coin, so that they may have wealth the whole year round. They
are sprinkled with rosewater so that they stay fragrant and healthy. After
that, they are led to another table for a meal.
