Spring and Sweet Water Melons!

Happy New Year !

Haft Sîn or the seven 'S's is a major tradition of Nowruz, the traditional Iranian new year. It has a complex history and there are indication referring to Kayanids mentioning that (šahd, šir, šarāb, šikkar-e nāb, šamʿ, šamšād, šāya”) literally (honey, milk, wine, pure sugar, a candle, branches of box-tree, and fruits) has been the seven S's on the Nowruz table. Today the haft sin table includes seven items specifically starting with the letter S or Sîn (س in the Persian alphabet). The items symbolically correspond to seven creations and holy immortals protecting them. Originally called Haft Chin, the Haft Sin has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families attempt to set as beautiful a Haft Sîn table as they can, as it is not only of traditional and spiritual value, but also noticed by visitors during Nowruzi visitations and is a reflection of their good taste.

This is the 7 sin table that I set.

The Haft Sin items are:

sîb (سیب)- apples - symbolizing beauty and health

sabzeh(سبزه) - wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth

lit candles (enlightenment and happiness)

samanu (سمنو)- a sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing affluence (The glass on the left)

senjed (سنجد)- the dried fruit of the ole aster tree - symbolizing love (The glass on the right)

Rose water for its magical cleansing powers (in that red rose-water bottle at middle)

sîr (سیر)- garlic - symbolizing medicine

The Holy Quran for Muslims

A mirror and decorated eggs, sometimes one for each member of the family (fertility)

I decorated and painted all eggs myself ;)

serkeh (سرکه)- vinegar - symbolizing age and patience

sekkeh (سکه)- coins (prosperity and wealth)

Divan of Hafez ( Hafez's poems book)

A glass with red and gold fish (life, and the sign of Pisces which the sun is leaving)

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In 4 hours, the New Year will be started. Yes, again we finished 1 year of our life with a complex of happy and sad times. Since I remember, it was a question for me that why God has created us? I ask myself this question at the end of per year and I am sorry that I do not have any answers yet.
For the New Year, I wish No War, No tears, No sad happening in the entire world. I hope all kind wishes come in true. Happy New Year!

Let's pray for a peace full World!

My dear friends, I am going to travel to Tehran tomorrow with a turned off cell phone and a closed lap top. With any lesson to study, any project to do. I am so tired and want to be a little relaxed. I'll update the blog on 27TH of March with many photos from other parts of Iran.

The Last Week of Year II

Last night was the traditional Persian celebration; Chahar-shanbe Suri. This is a unique and old celebration that Iranians have at the night last Wednesday of year. This custom was available in ancient Iran (Persia) and nowadays it is still alive. Since we were yet busy with our spring-cleaning yesterday and the last night of Mashhad was too cold and rainy, I stayed at home and could not take any photo from Chahar-shanbe Suri. If you like to know about this tradition please follow the link above.

Now Let's see the series II of my photos from The Last Week of Year!

Last night and night of Yalda

Shab-e Yalda or Shab-e Chelleh is an Iranian festival originally celebrated on the Northern Hemisphere's longest night of the year, that is, on the eve of the Winter Solstice.
The 13Th century one of our great poet Sa'di wrote in his Bustan: "The true morning will not come, until the Yalda Night is gone". Following the Iranian calendar reform of 1925, which pegged some seasonal events to specific days of the calendar, Yalda came to be celebrated on the night before and including the first day of the tenth month (Dey). Subject to seasonal drift, this day may sometimes fall a day before or a day after the actual Winter Solstice.
Following the fall of the Sassanid Empire and the subsequent rise of Islam, the religious significance of the event was lost, and Yalda became a social occasion when family and close friends would get together. Nonetheless, the obligatory serving of fresh fruit during mid-winter is reminiscent of the ancient customs of invoking the divinities to request protection of the winter crop.
Today; Families continue to hold traditional gatherings on Yalda. Iranian radio and television offer special programmes on that night of Yalda.Watermelons, nuts, fresh fruits like pomegranate,orange and etc are placed on the Korsi, a traditional piece of furniture similar to a very short table, around which the family sit on the ground. On it, a blanket made of wool filling is thrown, people leave their legs under the blanket. Inside the korsi, heat is generated by means of coal, electricity or gas heaters.Grand parents tell old stories for their childs and grandchids and read Hafez’s poems.
It is also a custom that grooms give a gift to their brride and they celebrate this night before starting their new life together.

Text is written according to WikiPedia

Yalda means life is as much short as we must celebrate for just one minute more being together.Happy Yalda!

In depth of Persian Gulf II

A dreamy sense!

Ebrahim was picking up some marine cucumber :D



Diving is finished.Good Job Ebrahim!
Thank you for photos!

Green,Red,Yellow

What color do you prefer?

Hmmm....I like the green!

Garden

Here is my Grandpa's Garden.He was died around 16 years ago,When I was just 5 years old.This Garden is my Mom's family heritage.There are lots of old walnut trees in this garden and a nice Waterfall with a river.
I like there so much because of its unique atmosphere.We often go there at end of weeks with my aunts and uncles and their kids.It is a good Chance for us to gathere and forget the pollution of the city and problems of the Machine-made life for a while!

And about the biggest photo;this hand made ladder attract me to take photo,I named this photo "The Ladder To The Sky"!
The other Pictures show The Waterfall and a view of the river.You can see the Wild Raspberries in my photos,too.
I believe that this Garden is part of the parodies!

Let me know your opinions!

Watermelon

Green Grape