Happy Persian New Year!

Aideh Shomah Mobarak!

Happy New Year to all of my fellow Persians!

Before the spring equinox it is customary to clean the entire house and cleanse for the coming year. Next is the best part, you are supposed to buy one new outfit (at least one item of clothing) to wear on the new year. Part of the many traditions is visiting your family members at their homes for tea and sweets. You start at the eldest member of the family's home and then go from house to house. It doesn't have to be all in one day but should be in the first two weeks after the equinox. It's called "aid deedany".  Here are some photos from our visits last year.

New Year is an especially great time when you are a kid. When you go for aid deedany all of the elders give you money as a gift. One of my favorite games on the new year is the egg breaking game. You place the hard boiled egg in the palm of your hand and make a fist around the tip of the egg, leaving a nickel size opening. Your opponents job is to break your egg (with their own egg) by hitting the top of your egg that is showing through your fist.  One of my aunts is an allstar and kills it every year. 

These four beautiful people are the foundation of the greatness that is our family. They are the reason we are who we are as a family and why we all know the wonderful traditions associated with our culture. I'm so proud and blessed to be a part of this family and to call them mine. 

Booses, 

Shenine joon