How to celebrate the Persian New Year (Traditional Nowruz) | Haft Seen Table

samanu

🥗Healthier: date syrup

💰Cheaper: honey

Date syrup provides sweetness with fewer calories.

gold coins

🥗Healthier: chocolate coins

💰Cheaper: gold foil-wrapped chocolate

Chocolate coins are more accessible and still festive.

pomegranate

🥗Healthier: cranberries

💰Cheaper: red grapes

Cranberries provide a similar tartness and color.

sweet pudding

🥗Healthier: rice pudding

💰Cheaper: vanilla pudding

Rice pudding is a more common and cost-effective dessert.

Prepare sabzeh by sprouting lentils or wheat for several days until they grow.

Arrange the sabzeh on a platter as the symbol of rebirth.

Prepare samanu by cooking wheat germ until it thickens into a sweet pudding.

Place samanu in a bowl to represent power and strength.

Gather senjed (dried fruit) and place it on the table to signify love.

Add seer (garlic) to symbolize health and medicine.

Include somāq (sumac) to represent the sunrise and the victory of good over evil.

Set out serkeh (vinegar) as a reminder of patience and wisdom.

Display sekkeh (coins) to symbolize wealth and prosperity in the new year.

Include a mirror to reflect the past and future, symbolizing self-reflection.

Add hyacinth flowers for fragrance and beauty, representing spring.

Place decorated eggs to symbolize fertility and new life.

Include fish to represent life and the sea.

Set out sweets to signify the sweetness of life.

Finish by adding a bowl of water with a goldfish to symbolize life and good fortune.

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