I wish you a Happy Persian New Year. May the new year bring all of us peace, joy and many good beginnings. I recently moved to a new apartment and this is the first I’m setting up my haft seen here.
Haft seen, or Nowruz sofreh, is a presentation of 7 auspicious objects that start with the Persian letter “S.” The celebration of the vernal equinox, the start of a new year, is a custom that dates back 5,000 years. Its message of hope and renewal continues to resonate. If you’re interested to learn about Nowruz, I’ve written about haft seen and its symbolism. Nowruz is celebrated in Iran as well as in countries like Afghanistan and Albania, Uzbekistan and India–and wider still.
On another bright note, the response to my Ukrainian fundraiser has been wonderful and I thank everyone who contributed, donated prizes and shared the news. The contributions will allow Thought Group Chile to provided Ukrainian cities with safe spaces and shelter. The donators will receive regular updates to know how the process of reconstruction is moving along. Today is the last day to participate in the fundraiser, so please take a look to our wonderful prizes and donate. Any amount counts.
Photography by Bois de Jasmin
6 Comments
Inma: Hi,
On another note, as you say Victoria, I want to share that azahar, orange tree flowers, is blooming in my city, Seville, in Spain. The whole city and surroundings are perfumed by it. I think about the people around this blog and I pray for peace when I am enjoying it.
Haft seen seems a really beautiful and meaningful celebration. Thank you Victoria for sharing about it.
Hugs, March 20, 2023 at 7:41am
Aurora: Seville must be so beautiful at this time of year, the scent of the orange blossom flowers so intoxicating, thank you for sharing. In the UK we now have the daffodils, some have a scent too. March 20, 2023 at 11:25am
Victoria: How beautiful it must be! It’s my dream to visit your city around this time of year. March 21, 2023 at 5:08am
Aurora: Thank you and Happy Nowruz, Victoria. I notice the shiny apples on the lovely display and in the UK we have many varieties, any greengrocer has three or four grown locally, usually in Kent, and they are so good that I don’t miss the summer fruits. March 20, 2023 at 11:33am
Victoria: I love this time of year. Even when I visited London a couple of weeks ago, there were many spring blossoms in the parks. March 21, 2023 at 5:09am
Silvermoon: Happy Navroz! Sorry for the belated wishes. Wishing happiness, health and peace to all.
Spring is finally showing its glorious blooms – rather late but equally welcome. I was in Rome last week and enjoyed the spring weather in the Villa Borghese Gardens. March 27, 2023 at 7:03am