For Iranians, Nowruz, or better known as the Persian New Year, is a huge deal. It falls on March 20th and celebrates the coming of spring. Nowruz is a time for all Iranians to get together and welcome the New Year.
To prepare for Nowruz, it is customary for Iranians to set up a Haft-Sin table in their homes. A Haft-Sin table consists of seven items to bring luck for the New Year.
The first item is samanu, a pudding made from wheat germ symbolizing affluence. Then there is senjed, which is dried oleaster fruit, symbolizing love. There is an apple to symbolize health and beauty along with garlic, which symbolizes medicine. There is sabzeh, which is wheat, barley and mug bean or lentil sprouts that grow in a dish to symbolize rebirth; this is thrown into a lake after the New Year. Lastly, there is sumac, symbolizing sunrise. Goldfish are also brought to the table to top off the New Year.
Every year, on Nowruz, my family gets together around the Haft-Sin table to read prayers and wish each other happiness in the New Year. Then, we receive money as New Year gifts. The New Year itself lasts for thirteen days. Throughout the thirteen days people visit their families to wish them good luck in the coming year.
On one of the last days of the New Year, people go to Sizdah Bedar, which is a large gathering of Iranians to celebrate the New Year. This gathering is very similar to a picnic, with people bringing food, playing games and dancing to music.
In my opinion the Persian New Year is definitely one of the best days of the year. I look forward to this holiday throughout the year; hopefully this year will be one of the best.