Persian New Year

So, here's an educational post for ya! My sister is dating a gentleman of Persian descent (hey Paul!)... so they celebrate Persian New Year. What's Persian New Year you say... well, I really don't know but here are some things Anna highlighted on to clue the rest of us in.

1. sabzeh(سبزه) - wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth (grass)
2. samanu (سمنو)- a sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing affluence (brown blob)
3. senjed (سنجد)- the dried fruit of the oleaster tree - symbolizing love (accorn thing)
4. sîr (سیر)- garlic - symbolizing medicine (the garlic)
5. sîb (سیب)- apples - symbolizing beauty and health (the apple)
6. somaq (سماق)- sumac berries - symbolizing (the color of) sunrise (the red thing)
7. serkeh (سرکه)- vinegar - symbolizing age and patience (melted sugar.

Additional Items:

coins- (prosperity and wealth)

goldfish- (life, and the sign of Pisces {which is the sun} is leaving)

mirror- (the possibilities to come)

candles- (enlightenment and happiness)

decorated eggs- one for each member of the family (fertility)

the national colors for a patriotic touch

And here's the cake she made!