Page 11 - Spok Inside Track

On the last Wednesday of the year, known as "Festive Wednesday," people celebrate by partaking in rituals like
jumping over bonfires and lighting off firecrackers and fireworks. Iranians sing the poetic line "my yellow is yours,
your red is mine," which means “my weakness to you and your strength to me” as they jump over the fire. The
evening continues with a tradition called "Spoon Banging," which is similar to the Halloween custom of trick-or-
treating. In Iran, people wear disguises and go door-to-door, banging spoons against plates or bowls, and receive
packaged snacks.
At New Year - Haft-Sin Table

A table setting called "Haft-sin" is put together a week before the new year where family members gather
around waiting for the exact moment of the March equinox to celebrate the New Year. Haft-sin means seven
things beginning with the letter sin (S) and has items such as: Sabze (Barley, mung bean, or lentil sprouts grown
in a dish), Samanu (Sweet pudding made from wheat germ), Senjed (Persian olive), Serke (Vinegar), Seeb (Apple),
Seer (Garlic), Somaq (Sumac).
The Haft-sin table may also include a mirror, candles, painted eggs,
a bowl of water, goldfish, coins, hyacinth, and traditional
confectioneries. A "book of wisdom" such as the Quran, Bible,
Avesta, the Shahname of Ferdowsi, or Hafez's divan may also be
included.

Visiting Family and Friends
During the Nowruz holidays, people are expected to make short visits to the homes of family, friends, and
neighbors. Typically, young people will visit their elders first, and the elders return their visit later. Visitors are
offered tea and pastries, cookies, fresh and dried fruits, mixed nuts, or other snacks, and children may be given
brand new paper money as parting gifts.

In Iran, the Nowruz holidays last thirteen days.
On the thirteenth day of the New Year, Iranians
leave their houses to enjoy nature and picnic
outdoors as part of the Sizdebedar (13th outing)
ceremony. The greenery grown for the Haft-sin
setting is thrown away, particularly into running
water. It is also customary for young single
people, especially young girls, to tie the
greenery leaves before discarding them,
expressing a wish to find a partner.

Faezeh Effendi
Director, Development