Happy Nowruz - that's Persian New Year and it's today

What do a goldfish, eggs, dried fruit and some coins have in common?

Today is Iranian New Year, also known as Nowruz, Norooz and several other spellings, all of which mean 'new day', which happens on the first day of Spring.

Haft Sîn, or the seven 'S's, is a major traditional table setting of Nowruz, including seven items starting with the letter 'S' or Sīn in the Persian alphabet.

The Haft Sīn items are:

Sabzeh – sprouts growing in a dish, symbolizing a green environment, happiness and rebirth
Samanu – this is a sweet pudding made from germinated wheat, symbolizing affluence
Senjed – a dried fruit, symbolizing firmness and tolerance
Sīr – garlic, symbolizing medicine and good health
Sīb – apples, which symbolize love and beauty 
Somaq – sumac berries to symbolize patience
Serkeh – vinegar, symbolizing development and evolution

On top of the seven S's, the table should have lit candles, coins, decorated eggs, a mirror and live goldfish, each representing a different aspect of a new cycle. 

So if you're in the mood to celebrate a different kind of New Year, Manchester has some excellent Iranian restaurants, including one which includes delicious veggie versions of some of Iran's best loved dishes, Arian in Chorlton.

You can even take your own wine.

Happy Nowruz!

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