Have a Happy Norooz
This year, spring officially arrived in Toronto yesterday (Tuesday) at 8:07:26 p.m. Since it is based on the vernal equinox, spring occurs around the globe at the same moment.

The arrival of spring is celebrated by many people around the world. One of those places is my place of birth, Iran. There, the celebration is called "Norooz," meaning "new day."

I would like to share with you one of the many traditions which is part of this celebration; the decorative spread called the "haft seen." Found within the homes of Iranians during Norooz, the haft seen literally translated means the "seven Ss" for the objects placed on the spread. The number seven has been sacred in Iran since the ancient times.

We try to decorate the spread as beautifully as possible with the following items:

The Haft Seen + Sabzeh (grown wheat or lentil) for rebirth. + Samanu (a cooked paste of wheat and wheat flour) for sweetness and richness of life. + Seeb (apple) for health and beauty. + Seer (garlic) to warn off bad omens. + Senjed (dried fruit of the Lotus tree) for love. + Serkeh (vinegar) for age and patience. + Somaq (dried sumac berries) representing the colour of sunrise for warmth.

In addition to these main seven items, the Haft seen contains sekeh (coins) for prosperity and wealth, sonbol (hyacinth) and other spring flowers for beauty and nature, decorated eggs for fertility, a mirror to help reflect on life, a goldfish in a bowl of water representing life and lit candles to represent light and knowledge.

I have always taken great pleasure in sharing this festive with others. May the above good wishes be present in your home and may each day be a happy day. Happy Spring, Happy Norooz.

Zohreh Zand,

King City