Haft-Sin Table for Norouz (Persian New Year)

If you are wondering how to set up an epic haft-sin table for Norouz this year, or are just curious to learn about Persian New Year traditions, then you have come to the right place. I am sharing everything I know about the traditional 7-sin table that appears in almost every Iranian household during the spring season including tips on how to set it up, what to include, and delicious Persian sweets to enjoy when celebrating the New Year.

What is a Haft Sin?

The traditional "halftsin" (or haftseen) literally translates to "seven S's". It is an arrangement of seven items that all begin with the letter S in Farsi (the Persian language). These spreads can be large an elaborate with beautiful hand-crafted vases to hold each item, or can be small and compact for those living in smaller spaces. It is customary to set up a sofreh haftseen a few days prior to the New Year and remain for 13 days after the New Year.

Each item is included in the haft-seen table for a specific reason and carries a symbolic meaning for the new year. These are the 7 essential items:

• Sabzeh - wheatgrass or lentil sprouts grown in a dish.
• Samanu - a sweet pudding made from wheat germ.
• Senjed - dried oleaster (or dried fruit of a lotus tree)
• Seer - garlic
• Seeb - apple
• Sumac - a crushed spice
• Serkeh - vinegar

In addition to these required pieces, there are other symbolic items that are normally placed on the haft-sin table. These include a mirror, candlesticks and candles, goldfish, hyacinth flowers, a Persian poetry book, painted eggs, coins, and an array of decadent Persian pastries.

What Do Each of the Seven S's Symbolize?

Each item is included in the haftseen for a specific reason and carries a symbolic meaning for the new year. The wheatgrass represents rebirth. The sweet pudding represents affluence. The dried fruit represents love. Garlic represents medicine and healthy, apple represents beauty, sumac represents sunrise, and vinegar represents age and patience.

The additional items that are typically included also each symbolize an important element in the new year. A mirror symbolizes self-reflection. Candles represent light. Goldfish represents life. Eggs represent fertility. Coins represent wealth and prosperity.

How to Make a Haft-Sin Table

1. Set the table. Place a Persian table cloth or a dish towel on the table. Then, assemble at least 7 small serving bowls on top. You can use bowls that you already have at home or purchase a haft-seen set online.
2. Make a shopping list. Make a list of all the items that you will need for the 7-seen table (including any Persian desserts that you will be placing on the table or baking ingredients if you are making your own).
3. Arrange the haft-sin items. Place the haft-seen items into the serving bowls. For items like require to be refrigerated (such as samanu), include it on the table on the actual day of norooz because it will start to spoil.
4. Arrange any additional items. Add any additional items such as a mirror, candles, goldfish, hyacinth flowers, poetry book, painted eggs, coins, and Persian sweets.

Persian New Year Desserts

Some of my favorite Persian desserts to serve during Norouz on our haft-seen table are:

• Nan-e Nokhodchi. These Persian chickpea cookies are crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, made with the fragrant flavours of rose water, cardamom and pistachio.
• Nan-e Berenji. These Persian rice cookies with poppy seeds are irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth cookies made of rice flour, fragrant rose water and crunchy poppy seeds.
• Sohan. Persian pistacho brittle is a traditional Persian candy that is sweet, floral, and nutty, has the best crunchy texture, and is loaded with nuts.
• Ghotab. These Persian walnut-filled crescents are infused with cardamom and cinnamon flavours.
• Persian Love Cake. Persian Love Cake is a rich, moist, and nutty almond cake loaded with floral and citrus flavor, topped with a lemon glaze, pistachios, and rose petals. 

More Persian Recipes

• Ghormeh Sabzi (Persian Herb Stew)
• Persian Shirazi Salad
• Safton Chicken Kebabs (Joojeh Kabob)
• Basmati Rice with Saffron
• Persian Style Lamb Chops (Shashlik)

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