The Haft-seen Table: 7 Items & Their Meaning
Learn about the Haft-seen, the symbolic table at the heart of every Nowruz celebration. Discover what each of the seven items means and why they matter.
Thomas van Welsenes
Founder of Learn Farsi
What Is the Haft-seen?
The Haft-seen (هفتسین) is the centerpiece of every Nowruz celebration. "Haft" means seven in Farsi, and "seen" is the letter "س". The table holds seven items that all start with this letter.
Families set up their Haft-seen days before the Persian New Year. It stays in place for the full 13 days of Nowruz. Each item on the table carries a specific wish for the year ahead.
The Seven Items of the Haft-seen
Each item represents a hope or value for the coming year.
Sabzeh (سبزه), Sprouts
Wheat or lentil sprouts grown in a dish. They represent rebirth and new growth. Families start growing them about two weeks before Nowruz.
Samanu (سمنو), Sweet Pudding
A thick pudding made from wheat germ. It takes hours to prepare and symbolizes wealth and fertility. Making samanu is often a group activity.
Seeb (سیب), Apple
Apples represent beauty and health. Red apples are the most common choice.
Senjed (سنجد), Dried Lotus Fruit
These small, sweet fruits symbolize love and affection.
Seer (سیر), Garlic
Garlic represents medicine and good health. It's believed to ward off evil.
Somāq (سماق), Sumac
This tangy red spice represents the color of sunrise, symbolizing a new beginning.
Serkeh (سرکه), Vinegar
Vinegar represents age, patience, and wisdom.
Other Items on the Table
Most families add extra items beyond the seven "seen" objects. These aren't required, but they're common.
- A mirror for reflection on the past year
- Candles, one for each child in the family, representing light
- Painted eggs for fertility
- Goldfish in a bowl for life (though many now use ceramic fish instead)
- Coins (sekeh) for prosperity
- A book of poetry by Hafez or the Quran for wisdom
- Hyacinth flowers (sonbol) for the smell of spring
How to Set Up a Haft-seen
You don't need to be Persian to set up a Haft-seen. Here's how to do it simply.
Start by growing your sabzeh about two weeks before Nowruz. Soak wheat or lentil seeds overnight, then spread them on a plate with a damp cloth. Keep them moist and they'll sprout within days.
For the other six items, visit a Middle Eastern grocery store. Most carry everything you need around Nowruz season.
Arrange everything on a nice cloth or tray. There are no strict rules for placement. The goal is to create something beautiful that your family gathers around at the moment of Sal Tahvil, the exact start of the new year.
Want to learn more about Nowruz traditions? Read our full guide on Nowruz explained. Or start learning Farsi to connect more with Persian culture.
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