This year we decided to embrace Norooz, the Persian new year (celebrated on the vernal equinox), and all the events that surround it. Thankfully, a family in our neighborhood was kind enough to introduce us to these unique traditions.
On Tuesday night before Norooz, we went to a local celebration of Chaharshanbe Suri, which is a big party that includes jumping over fire while saying (roughly translated to English), "Give me your beautiful red color, take back my sickly pallor." The idea is that one is cleansed and renewed by giving away the old emotional baggage from the year before and taking the rich new energy from the flames. Dexter and Daddy jumping over fires.
Maya takes her turn jumping over the fires.
Maya and her friend, Nika, standing in front of the HaftSeen table (more about that later).
This doesn't really show how many people were there. The place was packed with very friendly Persians.
Inspired by Nika's family, we decided to make our own HalfSeen table. HaftSeen translates to Seven S's as the various items all start with the Persian S. The table is prepared with all the designated symbolic items and the family gathers near it at Norooz.
Maya's friend Sophia happened to be over at our house at the exact moment of the New Year. Very exciting!
Here is our creation. Here's a little info about the various items.
Happy Norooz!!
