Naw-Ruz at the White House

A traditional Haft Sin table celebrating Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is seen set on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, in the State Dining Room of the White House. Nowruz is, in Persian and some other cultures, including Kurdish culture, a family-oriented holiday celebrating the New Year and the coming of spring. The Haft Sin table has seven items symbolizing new life, joy, love, beauty and health, sunrise, patience and garlic to ward off evil.

White House photo by Chris Greenberg