Haft Seen Glamour: Celebrating Persian New Year in Style!

If you landed on this blog post, you are most likely celebrating Nowruz (the Persian New Year and the first day of spring) and trying to get new ideas for decorating or changing your Haft Seen table this year!

Haft Seen Glamour isn’t your average New Year’s bash! It’s a whole vibe, blending tradition with a splash of style and a pinch of “pizzazz.” Nowruz translates to “New Day” or “New Year” in Farsi.

It Marks the First Day of Spring

It marks the beginning of the Persian New Year and coincides with the arrival of spring. Nowruz is celebrated by various communities and cultures across Western and Central Asia and the Persian diaspora worldwide. It is a time of renewal, hope, and joy, with customs and traditions dating back thousands of years.

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I LOVE styling the Haft Seen table (sofreh haftseen) for Nowruz! Every year, I like to change the color scheme and put a little twist on my Hatsin decorations! I also love to set our Haft Seen table in our backyard and capture some memorable family pictures with our table in natural daylight!

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In this post, I would like to share how to celebrate Nowruz (the Iranian New Year) in style. These simple ideas will turn your Haft Seen table into the ultimate spring extravaganza on the first spring day!

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The Haft Seen beautifies your home with seven symbolic items, starting with the letter ‘S’ in the Farsi alphabet! From the sweet pudding known as “Samanu,” signifying affluence and fertility, to the “Sabzeh,” typically wheat sprouts or lentil sprouts symbolizing rebirth, the Haft Seen is a centerpiece that captures the essence of Nowruz celebrations around March 20th.

Essential Elements of Haft Seen

Sabzeh: Wheat, barley, or lentil sprouts growing in a dish, symbolizing rebirth.
Samanu: A sweet pudding made from wheat germ, representing affluence and fertility.
Senjed: The dried fruit of the oleaster tree, for love and affection.
Seer: Garlic represents medicine and good health.
Seeb: Apples symbolize beauty and health.
Somaq: Sumac berries, representing the color of sunrise.
Serkeh: Vinegar, symbolizing age and patience.

Other Symbolic Items

I love adding a touch of contemporary magic to our Nowruz celebration with a sleek, modern glass bowl housing vibrant goldfish. Some of my Persian friends and other Iranians don’t believe in having goldfish on Haft Seen. However, this is one of my favorite items on the table (haha)!!

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In my opinion, the colorful goldfish make the table look so beautiful and lively! It’s like bringing a little piece of the present into a traditional celebration. As these lively fish gracefully glide through their transparent home, they symbolize the endless possibilities and prosperity that the new year holds.

So, why not let these charming swimmers steal the show and infuse your Haft Seen table with a dash of modern charm on your Haft Sin table?

In addition to the main items that are always present, there are several other symbolic items (following items) to place on the table, each holding a specific meaning:

Gold Coins (Sekkeh) for wealth and prosperity.
Hyacinth (Sonbol) for the arrival of spring.
Mirror (Ayeneh) reflects the light of wisdom and creation.
Goldfish (Mahi) in a bowl representing life and the end of the zodiac sign of Pisces.
Painted Eggs (Tokhm-e Morgh) symbolize fertility and the human race.
Candles: For each member of the family, signifying enlightenment and happiness.
A mirror: Reflecting the light of truth and reality.

1. Choose Colors That Blend Seamlessly Together

When I prepare my Haft Seen table for the Nowruz celebrations, I always try to choose the right color palette to create a harmonious and inviting display. To achieve this, I focus on colors that blend seamlessly. For example, I decided “yellow and green” for this table!

Last year, I chose a combination of soft blush pink, blue, and white (which I fell in love with how it turned out)! A year before, I chose a bright purple and green combination, which was fun to design!

If you prefer not to have bright colors on your Haft Seen table, you can always go with “White”!!! White usually serves as a versatile base. It’s elegant and symbolizes purity and a fresh start, perfect for spring.

You can always use white to make the other colors pop. When setting up your Haft Seen table, think of colors like paint on a canvas—they should blend seamlessly!

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Choosing colors that flow and complement each other makes your table look stunning and creates a warm and inviting atmosphere for your Nowruz celebration. So, mix and match those colors with a bit of creativity, and let the vibrant colors of the Haft Seen spread happiness and positivity all around!

2. Go BIG with Flowers for Your Centerpiece

Most people do not design a centerpiece for their Haft Seen, which I think is a mistake! Create a beautiful centerpiece first, then place your Haft Seen items around it! Think big and bold with flowers for your Haft Seen table centerpiece.

A lavish floral arrangement serves as the focal point, symbolizing the abundance of nature and the blossoming of new beginnings. Opting for a beautiful centerpiece that adds a touch of beauty to your table and creates a significant visual impact that captivates your family members and other guests.

I like to use two colors and sometimes three. Keeping the theme in two or three colors creates a beautiful, cohesive look on your table. I also enjoy maintaining a central theme that resonates with the season’s freshness.

My centerpiece usually consists of these components:

Greenery: For lushness and to represent the renewal of plant life.
Blooming branches: Like cherry blossoms, they add height and drama.
Bulb flowers, such as hyacinths or daffodils, symbolize the arrival of spring.
Floating candles: A bowl of water with floating candles.

3. Make Your Eggs Shine with Bling

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You can always add a touch of luxury and elegance to your Haft Seen table with stunning, jewel-adorned eggs. Many stylish options, whether shimmering jewels, lustrous pearls, or delicate feathers, are available online.

I usually order mine from Etsy or Amazon. I bought these gorgeous emerald green eggs on Amazon. These embellished eggs elevate your table’s aesthetic and serve as exquisite symbols of renewal and abundance for the New Year celebration.

Impress your guests and bring extra sparkle to your festivities with these dazzling additions to your Haft Seen arrangement.

4. Vintage Mirrors

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Incorporating vintage mirrors into your Haft Seen table adds depth and tradition, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Nowruz. Arrange your vintage mirrors with finesse to transform them into dazzling showcases for the Haft Seen items.

Start by placing a mirror as the base, adding depth and reflection to your display. Arrange the seven symbolic items, such as Sabzeh (sprouts) and Sekkeh (coins), in an elegant formation, ensuring each element stands out while harmonizing with the vintage aesthetic.

I included a vintage mirror and placed it on a small base, as one of the essential elements on my haftseen table. The mirror holds profound symbolic significance on the Haft Seen table during the Nowruz celebrations.

It represents reflection, both literally and metaphorically. The mirror reflects the past year, inviting introspection and self-reflection as individuals assess their actions and growth. It also symbolizes the idea of self-awareness and the importance of looking inward for personal development and spiritual enlightenment.

In my opinion, the mirror adds a touch of timeless elegance and serves as a captivating centerpiece. Reflecting the beauty of the symbolic items arranged around it, the vintage mirror becomes a must-have addition, infusing the celebration with grace.

5. Embrace Contemporary or Classic Multi Candle Holders

The multi-candle holders create a stunning visual display, casting a soft, enchanting glow that enhances the ambiance of the celebration. The height of the candles adds dimension and elegance to the table, drawing the eye upward and creating a sense of grandeur.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these candles hold profound spiritual significance, representing enlightenment and prosperity. One of my favorite ways to enhance the beauty of the Haft Seen table is to group candle holders together and incorporate tall candles for a magical effect.

This arrangement creates a visually stunning centerpiece and adds a sense of grandeur and sophistication to the celebration. Whether arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically, this method adds depth and dimension to the table, making it a captivating focal point for family and guests alike to gather around and revel in the magic of Nowruz.

6. Choose Elegant and Decorative Dishes to Place Haft Seen Items

Selecting elegant and decorative dishes to showcase the Haft Seen items elevates the table’s overall look, adding a touch of sophistication to the festivities.

Opt for one-of-a-kind ceramic, brass, or metallic bowls that complement the celebration’s overall theme. These dishes provide a stunning backdrop for the symbolic items and serve as statement pieces that enhance the aesthetic charm of the Haft Seen display.

Whether adorned with intricate patterns or embellished with delicate details, these dishes add luxury and refinement, creating an unforgettable table for welcoming the Persian New Year in style.

7. Modern Glass Bowl for Goldfish

However, this is one of my favorite items on the table (haha)!! The colorful goldfish make the table look so beautiful and lively! It’s like bringing a little piece of the present into a traditional celebration.

As these lively fish gracefully glide through their transparent home, they symbolize the endless possibilities and prosperity that the new year holds.

So, why not let these charming swimmers steal the show and infuse your Haft Seen table with a dash of modern charm on your Haft Sin table?

FAQ

Can you explain the symbolism behind each of the seven S’s on the Haft Seen table?

Each item symbolizes hope for the new year. Sabzeh represents rebirth, Samanu symbolizes affluence, Senjed denotes love, Sir stands for medicine, Sib indicates beauty and health, Somaq embodies the color of sunrise, and Serkeh signifies age and patience.

How can one incorporate modern decor while maintaining the traditional elements of the Haft Seen?

One can blend modern decor by choosing contemporary tableware and arranging the Haft Seen items with an artistic flair, all while keeping the traditional elements intact. Think about using sleek, monochrome bowls for the items or adding tasteful, modern table runners and placemats that complement the Haft Seen setup.

What are some creative ideas for Haft Seen table settings to celebrate the Persian New Year?

To get creative with your Haft Seen table, mix and match patterns and colors in your tablecloth and accessories. Incorporate fresh flowers like hyacinths, tulips, or roses for an added burst of spring. You can also use decorative candles to give the setting a warm and inviting glow.

How do families typically incorporate the Haft Seen into their Nowruz festivities?

Families usually set up the Haft Seen table before Nowruz and maintain it throughout the holidays. They gather around it to celebrate the exact moment of the Spring Equinox, and it remains a focal point of gatherings and celebrations throughout the Nowruz festivities.

If you celebrate Nowruz, I wish you a Happy New Year! I hope you found this post helpful! Have fun designing your beautiful Haft Seen while enjoying the beginning of Spring and all its beauties!

Love,

Sherry XOXO