Nowruz—Spring’s Arrival ©Dawn Minott

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry

Beforeword: Nowruz is far more than just the start of a new year—it is an ancient celebration of life, rebirth, and the triumph of light over darkness. With roots extending back over 3,000 years, Nowruz heralds the arrival of spring and is celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox, usually March 20 or 21. Today, it unites diverse cultures across Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and beyond, offering a rich tapestry of customs, traditions, and shared values.

Nowruz arrives like a quiet dawn
Where renewal meets the familiar
Haft-Sin blooms with meaning
a ritual of hope and memory

Upon the table’s gleaming surface
A gathering of symbols—seven
A quiet conversation between past and future

Sabzeh, threads of green sprouting from soil
A promise of life unfolding
Of growth stitched into the fabric of spring

Samanu, thick and sweet
A labor of patience
The taste of fertility
Rich with the warmth of nurture

Senjed, dried fruit cradling affection
It’s scent a whisper of love’s endurance
Softness preserved through seasons

Serkeh, sharp and aged
Bitterness transformed into wisdom
The patience of time distilled

Seeb, red skin gleaming
Health’s crisp offering
Beauty held in the curve of light

Seer, garlic’s pungent strength
A guardian of well-being
Boldness etched into its roots

Somāq, crushed berries of crimson
The tang of sunrise
Spice woven into the essence of life

Seven signs, gathered with care
Each a fragment of completeness
A balance sought in tradition’s embrace

The Haft Sin table, or the table of seven things that start with the letter “s” is a central part of Nowruz and a family tradition.
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In creative solidarity, Dee

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