Haftsin Table
March 18, 1999 - 0:0
TEHRAN Setting Haftsin table is one of the traditions remained intact form ancient times. Setting Haftsin table is a prevalent custom in order to welcome new year and Norouz Eid. Tables are decorated with mirror, Holy Qoran, fish, oleaster, sabzeh,.... Ancient Iranians used to set tables of Haftshin. That is they set like shir (milk), shirini (cookies), shahd (nectar), shekar (sugar) and sham'dan (candle). At that time, Iranians believed that seven is a sacred number because it is the number of angels.
They also were used to put seven frames or trays on Norouz table. Setting this table was the specification of traditional ceremonies. Our ancestors believed that the seven sacred angels were handling the world so these seven frames were reminiscent of seven angels. After importing china dishes, frames were chosen from among these kinds of dishes. So it was known as haftchini (seven chinies) whose Arabic equivalent is sini (tray). Due to lack of information, gradually people thought that whatever starts with sin (letter S) can be put on Haftsin table.
Sabzeh, Important Frame of Norouz Greenness is the most important frame of Norouz which is symbol of blessing and growth of grasses and plants. Ancient Iranians used to put three green frames in which some seeds were grown (sabzeh) and they were symbols of three orders of great Zoroaster: Good Thought, Good Manner and Good Words. Sasanid court used to put seven or 12 sabzeh frames in which they planted different species of seeds.
The frame which brought more products indicated that the same seed would grow further in the coming year. Abu Reihan Birouni wrote in one of his books: Every one planted barley on this day for blessing. Then the habit became an stable custom which led people to plant different seeds in seven cylinders at the time of Norouz. Green, has been the national and religious color of ancient Iranians. Haftsin was adorned by green.
People believed that the spirit of their ancestors would freshen the sabzeh and seeds in spring. Sabzeh was a symbol of fertility in Haftsin. Qoran, the Holy Book of Muslims Since Norouz is a national and religious ceremony for Iranians, every Iranian family should put the religious book on the table of Haftsin. At the time of Sasanid dynasty, Avesta, the holy book of Zoroastrians was put on the table and they used to read a part of it.
Oleaster, Manifestation of Birth Oleaster (senjed), is another object which are being put on Haftsin is the main step of birth. Samanou Symbol of Birth Samanou (juice of germinating wheat or malt mixed with flour and brought to a consistency) is usually cooked by Iranian families before the start of Norouz. However Iranian families usually cook samanou two times a year, once in March and once in May. During the ceremony it is common that people tie a piece of red cloths to a boiler, may the evil eye be averted.
They lighten two candles on the cap of the boiler. Many people gather around the boiler in order that their expectations would be fulfilled. They stir samanou and pray. Ancient Iranians believed that samanou is a symbol of fertility of plants by the use of power of ghosts. Apple, Symbol of Fertility Apple (seeb), is a fruit which is put on the table of Haftsin and its red color adorns Haftsin table.
In the past, villagers put apples in a special barrels and gave it as a gift to their relatives and friends to put it on their Haftsin table. In Iranian ancient stories, apple has direct relations with birth. White and Gold Coins Manifestation of Liberty and Kinship Ancient Iranians believed that white and gold coins increase their sustenance and livelihood but certain historical texts reveal that coin is the symbol of kinship and liberty.
Probably there was no particular reason for putting other objects such as garlic (seer) and vinegar (serkeh) and sumac (somaq) on Haftsin table. Colored Eggs, Symbols of Productivity Colored eggs are being put on Haftsin table because they are considered as symbols of race and productivity. In the past when there were no artificial colors, people used to apply some natural colors like peel of fruits, walnut shell and onion peel.
Even some believed that mother of each family should eat boiled eggs on Norouz day in a number compatible with the number of members of her family! Fish, Again a Symbol of Fertility March is in Pisces, 12th sign of zodiac. At the time of Norouz Pisces changes into Aries. So people put the symbol of the 12th month of the year on Haftsin table.
Moreover fish is the symbol of fertility, life and revival. Since spring is the season of fertility of the nature and animals, there are a large number of fertility symbols on Haftsin table. Due to this reason, people are used to eat Sabzipolo (it is a traditional food of Iranians) and fish. Narcissus is a flower which just grows in spring.
In order to put a symbol of nature of spring on the table, people put Narcissus on Haftsin table as well.
They also were used to put seven frames or trays on Norouz table. Setting this table was the specification of traditional ceremonies. Our ancestors believed that the seven sacred angels were handling the world so these seven frames were reminiscent of seven angels. After importing china dishes, frames were chosen from among these kinds of dishes. So it was known as haftchini (seven chinies) whose Arabic equivalent is sini (tray). Due to lack of information, gradually people thought that whatever starts with sin (letter S) can be put on Haftsin table.
Sabzeh, Important Frame of Norouz Greenness is the most important frame of Norouz which is symbol of blessing and growth of grasses and plants. Ancient Iranians used to put three green frames in which some seeds were grown (sabzeh) and they were symbols of three orders of great Zoroaster: Good Thought, Good Manner and Good Words. Sasanid court used to put seven or 12 sabzeh frames in which they planted different species of seeds.
The frame which brought more products indicated that the same seed would grow further in the coming year. Abu Reihan Birouni wrote in one of his books: Every one planted barley on this day for blessing. Then the habit became an stable custom which led people to plant different seeds in seven cylinders at the time of Norouz. Green, has been the national and religious color of ancient Iranians. Haftsin was adorned by green.
People believed that the spirit of their ancestors would freshen the sabzeh and seeds in spring. Sabzeh was a symbol of fertility in Haftsin. Qoran, the Holy Book of Muslims Since Norouz is a national and religious ceremony for Iranians, every Iranian family should put the religious book on the table of Haftsin. At the time of Sasanid dynasty, Avesta, the holy book of Zoroastrians was put on the table and they used to read a part of it.
Oleaster, Manifestation of Birth Oleaster (senjed), is another object which are being put on Haftsin is the main step of birth. Samanou Symbol of Birth Samanou (juice of germinating wheat or malt mixed with flour and brought to a consistency) is usually cooked by Iranian families before the start of Norouz. However Iranian families usually cook samanou two times a year, once in March and once in May. During the ceremony it is common that people tie a piece of red cloths to a boiler, may the evil eye be averted.
They lighten two candles on the cap of the boiler. Many people gather around the boiler in order that their expectations would be fulfilled. They stir samanou and pray. Ancient Iranians believed that samanou is a symbol of fertility of plants by the use of power of ghosts. Apple, Symbol of Fertility Apple (seeb), is a fruit which is put on the table of Haftsin and its red color adorns Haftsin table.
In the past, villagers put apples in a special barrels and gave it as a gift to their relatives and friends to put it on their Haftsin table. In Iranian ancient stories, apple has direct relations with birth. White and Gold Coins Manifestation of Liberty and Kinship Ancient Iranians believed that white and gold coins increase their sustenance and livelihood but certain historical texts reveal that coin is the symbol of kinship and liberty.
Probably there was no particular reason for putting other objects such as garlic (seer) and vinegar (serkeh) and sumac (somaq) on Haftsin table. Colored Eggs, Symbols of Productivity Colored eggs are being put on Haftsin table because they are considered as symbols of race and productivity. In the past when there were no artificial colors, people used to apply some natural colors like peel of fruits, walnut shell and onion peel.
Even some believed that mother of each family should eat boiled eggs on Norouz day in a number compatible with the number of members of her family! Fish, Again a Symbol of Fertility March is in Pisces, 12th sign of zodiac. At the time of Norouz Pisces changes into Aries. So people put the symbol of the 12th month of the year on Haftsin table.
Moreover fish is the symbol of fertility, life and revival. Since spring is the season of fertility of the nature and animals, there are a large number of fertility symbols on Haftsin table. Due to this reason, people are used to eat Sabzipolo (it is a traditional food of Iranians) and fish. Narcissus is a flower which just grows in spring.
In order to put a symbol of nature of spring on the table, people put Narcissus on Haftsin table as well.