Contemporary Haft Sīn

The haft sīn is a traditional display produced during Persian New Year to symbolize rebirth and revitalization. Markers of spring, wealth, and health take the shape of objects all starting with the sīn (س), and "s" sounding letter, in Persian.

My version of the haft sīn plays with tradition, presenting a minimalist form of a display that usually aims to present abundance.

1397 (2018-19)

I also opted out of placing certain objects that were visually challenging (a wheat germ pudding called samanoo). 

The seven sīns

The central plate presents seven objects starting with sīn: sabzeh (green, a eucalyptus sprig, rather than barley sprouts), sīb (apple), senjed (dates), sīr (garlic) sekeh (coin, usually placed in rice), somāq (sumac), and in the center, serkeh (vinegar).

The full table

Other objects that don't start with sīn often make appearances, including candles, a fish (usually a live goldfish, here replaced with wooden one in Danish modernist form), a cultural book, here a copy of the Shāhnāmeh). Sombol (hyacinth) does start with sīn and is on the far left of the table.

1398 (2019-20)

While the mirror is often a feature of a haft sīn, in the 1398 version, the mirror becomes the base of the display.