The Persian Ceremony
The sofreh aghd is a traditional wedding ceremony spread where legal marriage and ceremonial traditions are exchanged. The ceremonial traditions have been practiced for thousands of years.. Sofreh aghd is a chosen cultural ceremony commonly practiced regardless of faith. There are many symbolic items that make up the sofreh aghd spread, all in which represent an element of the couple’s new life and marriage together. The word “sofreh” means “spread” and “aghd” means “ceremony. While most aim to keep the traditional elements of the sofreh design, each sofreh is unique in its own and designed around the bride and groom's style. Every sofreh aghd design has traditional must haves that are described below.
|| Ayeneh || - Mirror
Represents bringing light and brightness into the future for the married couple. Traditionally the couple look into the mirror together.
|| Shamdoon || - Candles
Symbolize energy and clarity in the couple’s life together.
|| Khoncheh || - Assortment of seven symbolic herbs and spices
An assortment of herbs and spices are placed on the spread to guard against the evil eye.
|| Noon Sangak || - Flatbread
A decorative display of flatbread “noon-eh-sangak” symbolizes prosperity for the feasts and couple’s life together.
|| Tokhmeh Morgh || - Eggs
Represent fertility for the couple.
|| Badoom, Gandom, o Gerdoo || - Almond, walnut, & hazelnut
Also symbolize fertility and abundance.
|| Meeveh || - Seasonal fruits
They represent a joyous future.
|| Shahkheh Nabat || - Rock candy
Prettified to symbolize a sweetened life for the newlyweds.
|| Sekkeh || - Coins
Are place on the sofreh spread to represent wealth and prosperity for the couple.
|| Asal || - Honey
Consumed right as the ceremony is going to conclude. The bride and groom exchange hands (usually with the pinky) dipped in the honey and shared off the hand to represent sweetness for the couple’s life.
|| Golaab || - Rose water
Is used to perfume the air.
|| Holy Book of Choice|| - Koran, Bible or a book of poetry such as Hafez
Placed on the sofreh aghd to symbolize God’s blessing for the couple. The book is usually opened from the middle and placed on the spread in front of the couple as a symbol of faith.
|| Sheereeni || - Sweets + pastries
Are placed on the sofreh aghd and to be shared with the guests after the ceremony concludes. Sheereeni symbolizes the sweetness of life.
|| Tooreh Ghand || - Sugar cloth
A fine fabric which is held over the couple’s head throughout the ceremony by various happily married female relatives and friends.
|| Kaleh Ghand || - Sugar cones
Is used during the ceremony over the couple’s head. Happily married woman rub the sugar cones together over the “ghand cloth” while held over the couple’s head to shower their life + marriage with sweetness.
|| Esfand || - Wild rue
Is an herb which is burned as part of a ritual (in the coal brazier) and tradition for purification. It doesn’t always have to be burned and can be used as decorative display.
|| Soozan Nakh || - Needle and thread
Symbolizes the ritual of two people becoming one. Symbolizes two families becoming one.
|| Manghal || - A coal brazier
Is used to burn wild rue (esphand) to drive away negativity and anything evil.
|| Traditional Persian Embroidered Cloth || - Termeh
A traditional Persian silk or embroidered cloth handed down from generation to generation to symbolize family and tradition. It is used as a decorative display amongst the rest of the traditional items.
|| Sofreh Overlay || - Ceremonial cloth
Is the spread used under all of the traditional sofreh items.
