By Guest Blogger: JASMINE RAFATI — Iran (read bio)

Norouz meaning the light of day is the Persian New Year and it celebrates the Spring Equinox. It is originally a Zoroastrian festival and has been celebrated from the Achaemenids Period (340-330 BC). On the first day of spring, Kings from different areas under the ruling of the Persian Empire would come to the kingdom to present gifts to the king of Persia.

On the eve of the last Wednesday of the year, Persians celebrate by making bonfires and jumping over them. They shout while leaping over the fire:  Give me your red vibrant color and take away my yellow paleness.  This day is called chaharshanbeh soori.

In welcoming spring and the renewal of life, most Persians also do an extensive cleaning of their homes. They wash all the curtains, and rugs in the house.  The kitchens are completely cleaned up. We decorate a table for the Persian New Year. Seven items that starts with the letter C decorate the table; Serkeh (vinegar), Sumac, Seer (garlic), smanu (sweet paste), seeb (apple), Senjed (sorb-tree_ berry), Sabzeh (wheat or lentils grown in a tray).  Most Persians add Sonbol (hyacinths) and sekkeh (coins). These two items begin with C but there are not traditionally considered part of the seven C’s people put on the table.

Serkeh signifies patience. Sumac is a sign for the sunrise. Seer represents medicine and health.  Samanu represents wealth. Seeb symbolizes beauty and Senjed represents love. Sabzeh is a symbol of rebirth and renewal that represent the season of spring.

Right after New Year is announced on TV, all my family members hug and congratulate each other with best wishes. Then my father takes the coin and passes it around. All of us hold the coin and wish for money and success. We also add colored boiled eggs to the table.

Growing up, my mom would boil eggs and us kids would sit around the table and paint them. There also couple of gold fish in a bowl. Muslims also add a copy of the Koran.

The traditional food of Persian New Year’s day is Sabzi polo which consists of rice and green herbs and it is served with fish. The seasonings used are parsley, coriander, chives, dill and fenugreek. Kookoo Sabzi, another food served that day, is a light and fluffy omelet soufflé made from parsley, dill, coriander, spinach, spring onion ends and chives, mixed with eggs and walnut.  Kookoo Sabizi is usually served with the evening meal.

Usually grandparents give money to the grandchildren as gifts for the New Year. I remember growing up, my grandparents, aunts and uncles would give us money as gifts and we were so happy to save that money. Almost every year, my mom used to borrow the money that we had saved and to this day she has not yet given them back.

The New Year starts on March 21st and we celebrate for 12 days. During this time, the younger people visit the older people first. The children and grandchildren go to parents and grandparents homes. The younger siblings pay visit to the older ones. Then the process reverses; the elders come visit the younger people.  During the visit the guests are served wonderful sweets, tea, fruits, and dried nuts.  On the thirteenth day, family members get together and they all go for a picnic. We find a running river where we drop the sabzeh into the water. The sabzeh which is sign of renewal take away all the negative things from the past year and gives us the hope for a year full of life, health, happiness, and success.

If you live in Los Angeles, California, you could take a stroll in Westwood Blvd., where you would see many stores carry the items for the Persian New Year.  You can also see all the shoppers going in and out of the stores buying the items for the table.

As I am writing this to you, I am in the home of my brother and his wife and we are decorating the Christmas tree with all my family.  My sister is law is an American and she brings the spirit of Christmas beautifully and fully each year to the house.

It is a wonderful world where we can merge cultures, enjoy, and celebrate New Year twice in a year.  I hope you all join us in celebrating the renewal of life in spring.

I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year full of health, love, and success. I wish for all the loved ones who are apart for any reason to be able to join each other and for these separations to end.  I hope that all of us who are going through tough times this year, to have better greater jobs next year. I wish for love and warmth of this season to overflow in everyone’s home.

I send you all my love and best wishes from San Diego, Cali.

Jasmine