March is a month of celebration. March 20 is when winter becomes spring. This transition of the season is the Spring Equinox, celebrated since ancient times, by people in many regions of central Asia and the middle-east. These regions were once part of the Persian Empire. The ancient Zoroastrian Persians celebrated this time as the New Year. It has been believed that it was introduced by Ahura-Mazda. They marked this occasion with many festivities that are still being observed by Persians all over the world to this day. You can equate the magnitude of the holiday to Christmas. Families and friends gather and visit each-other around the holiday and after. There is even a gift exchange. It is usually in the form of a monetary gift given from the elders to the children.
Ahura-Mazda - The highest deity of worship in Zoroastrianism. Ahura means Light and Mazda means Wisdom.
I have listed some of the traditional elements of the season below...
SPRING CLEANING: KHANEH TEKANI خانهتکانی
"Khaneh Tekani" literally means to shake-down the house. It is the act of Spring Cleaning. Many households follow this tradition by taking the time to clean, make updates and organize their home to be ready for the new year. It's the perfect metaphor for starting fresh!
FIRE FESTIVAL: CHAHARSHANBEH SURI چهارشنبه سوری
One of the first moments that makes one feel in the mood of the season is a fun and lively event called Chaharshanbeh Suri. It is celebrated on the last Wednesday of the year. The high-point of the event is jumping over a small bon-fire. This is a symbolic ritual act of cleansing the soul toward happiness and enlightenment in the coming year. The phrase "Sorkhi-ye to az man; Zardi-ye man az to" is shouted as the person jumps over the fire. It is meant to be directed to the flame, literally translated "give me your beautiful red color; remove my pale yellowness". Many people, young and old gather to celebrate. You can often see people laughing and dancing to the sound of drum circles throughout the night. Ajeel, a type of Persian trail mix, is traditionally served as a snack and is shared all throughout the new year festivities. The mixture varies based on preference and availability of ingredients.
BONFIRE on the beach
AJEEL - mixed nuts, raisins and dried berries
SYMBOLIC DISPLAY: THE HAFT-SEEN هفتسین
Throughout the Norooz celebration, 7 Symbolic Items along with other meaningful objects are put on display. The translation is from Farsi: "Haft" = 7, and "Seen" = S. The 7 items are supposed to be edible, although throughout the years, some of the items have been substituted for non-edible objects. It may be due to the fact that this decoration is usually out on display for several days and most edible items are perishable.
1. SABZEH - Wheat or barley sprouts to symbolize plants.
GOLDFISH - to symbolize life
2. "SEK'KEH" - coins to symbolize a prosperous future. The ones pictured above are non-denominal. They are just decorative to serve the purpose.
This coin is a commemorative Pahlavi coin in solid gold with the Cyrus Cylinder on the back.
3. "SONBOL" - Hyacinth: symbolizing rebirth
4. "SEER" - garlic: to symbolize medicine/health
5. "SEEB" - apples: symbolizing health and natural beauty
6. "SOMAGH" - dried and ground sumac fruit: to symbolize old age and the color of sunrise
MIRROR: symbolizes the sky
DECORATED EGGS: Symbolizing fertility
7. SAMANOO: Sweet pudding made from wheat germ: symbolizing sweetness and fertility
There are many more items that can be displayed along with the ones I just listed. These are just the most common items. You can read more about the meaning behind the Haft-Seen here and here.
SWEETS
Sweets are usually passed around after the transition of the New Year. I wanted to share with you the common sweets that are usually served. I must tell you that I have had first-hand experience in having these goodies and they are truly amazing. If you ever have a chance to try one, don't pass it up! They are especially good with a nice hot cup of tea, Persian Tea!
BAKLAVA
CHICKPEA COOKIES
RICE COOKIES
TOOT (Marzipan)
ZOOLBIYA & BAMIYEH
A RANDOM MIXTURE OF POPULAR AND TASTY SWEETS
TEA, NICE AND HOT
Sizdah Bedar {13-bedar} سیزده بدر
Literally means leaving the house on the 13th day of the first month of the year. This day meant to be spent outdoors in nature among friends and family. It is a happy and fun occasion marked by music, a picnic and walks in the countryside. It became a tradition since many people believed that the number 13 was an unlucky number and had to be removed or ignored. Ancient Zoroastrian beliefs included that laughter and joy symbolized the disposal of negativity and bad thoughts. One 13-bedar tradition is tying a knot in the grass by "single" women in the hopes that they will be married in the coming year. Another tradition is that the sabzeh is brought to the outing and is usually thrown into a river or stream. It is believed that the sabzeh captured all the negativity and sickness within the household, and the act of throwing it in the river meant that it washed away that negativity.
ART
These are some images i've found that really capture the feeling of the Norooz. They juxtapose ancient Persian themes with traditional elements of the Haft-Seen.
MUSIC
Here is a traditional song heard during the Norooz festivities...
GREETING CARDS
Just a few cards I designed for the occasion...
Old World Haft-Seen Notecard in Grass
Ancient Sphinx & Vessel Notecard in Turmuric
Abstract Hyacinth Card in Pearl
I hope this information shines a light on the Persian New Year holiday to those who are not familiar with it. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. I welcome your feedback as well.
I truly enjoy this time of year and am always waiting anxiously for it to arrive.
Hi Friends,
It has been a while since I have posted a birthday card design and I went through my files of pictures to find you one that I have not shared with you yet. It was a card I designed for a dear friend named Darya. We celebrated her birthday in December. I thought I would experiment with layering translucent paper. I used washi tape to seal and embellish the envelope. Here is what I came up with...
Hey Folks,
Just a reminder that Spring is almost upon us. That means Persian New Year, a.k.a. Norooz! I will be posting some Norooz-related goodies soon. I will also have some great cards and gifting items available in my Etsy Shop. Stay tuned! In the meantime, check out my post from last year here! Enjoy!
Whether you're single, in a relationship, or "it's complicated"...this day is set aside to remind us how much love, affection and friendship is important. It is a holiday to celebrate a very important emotion.
Share this day with someone special to you. It doesn't have to only be about a significant-other (contrary to how this holiday is marketed). It could be a day to share your child, a best friend or even a relative. Just being together is a valuable gift, more than what you can buy.
Love has many facets, and today is the day to enjoy its splendor!
In the spirit of Valentine's Day, which is tomorrow, I decided to create and share with you a free printable: Valentine Labels or Gift Tags! There are 18 on a sheet with 6 coordinating designs. You may choose to use one or all. If you need a lot, for a class, you can print multiple sheets. Perfect for those "Last Minute" gifts and treats like individual cupcakes! They can be used as hanging labels or stickers. For the sticker option, you should use "full-sheet" labels and then cut them out. Many colors of paper and labels work. Kraft paper will give it a casual look, where pearlescent card-stock or linen-textured card-stock would give it a slightly more formal look. The possibilities are endless. I would love to see pictures of how you decided to use them.
The Valentine's Day countdown has officially begun. Don't be left empty-handed this year. I've added some new card designs to my Etsy shop. They are colorful yet simple, with understated motifs that will not compete with your heartfelt message. Check back often as more goodies will be added.
Here are some Valentine's Day cards that are available in my etsy shop! I decided to keep the design simple with a patterned heart. What do you think?
All cards are 3 3/4"w x 5 1/2"h. Each card is constructed using archival quality papers and card-stocks to ensure they last for years to come. They are left blank inside for that special love note you want to share with your Valentine. They are in-stock and ready to ship. Don't be left empty-handed this Valentine's day. Order yours today! You can visit the shop by clicking the link on the upper right corner of this page.
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