An Iranian Haft-sin table traditionally features seven symbolic items for Nowruz.
The number seven is linked to the table’s name: “haft” means seven, while “sin” refers to the Persian letter س, or sin. The featured items are selected because their Persian names begin with that letter. Common examples include sabzeh, samanu, senjed, seer, seeb, somaq and serkeh, although household arrangements can vary.
Haft-sin is not simply a checklist with one universally fixed design. Families may add a mirror, candles, painted eggs, a Qur’an, poetry by Hafez or a bowl of goldfish. These additions carry ideas such as reflection, light, renewal and good fortune.
A common mix-up is confusing Haft-sin with Haft-shin, an older or alternative arrangement whose items begin with “sh.” The modern Iranian custom is generally known as Haft-sin.