Mina styling
zilver
sofreh aghd
Sofreh aghd
Sofreh aghd is a magnificent Persian spread set upon bride and groom only once in a life time to celebrate their union. This Zoroastrian tradition has its roots firmly planted in the lranian culture when it comes to exchanging vows. Apart from doing this as a profession, 1 am always filled with joy when spreading Sofreh aghd for my couples. 1 am proud to be part of such an splendid ceremony and help couples create a lifelong memory. Sofreh Aghd is an lranian detailed and intricate ceremonial spread containing lots of symbolic elements that represent parts of a marriage. The spread is set either on the floer or table in front of the bride and groom where they exchange vows and say Yes to each ether. Regardless of religion, this tradition of thousands of years is one of the most essential Persian customs when it comes to getting married. The spread holds in itself the following items:
Ayeneh (mirror)
Mirror is one of the most important elements of the spread representing a bright future and a reflection of light.
Shamdoon (candle and candleholder)
Lit candles represent purity, light and brightness in the marriage.
The holy book of choice
Often the Qoran is presented at the spread as the holy book for God’s blessing and love throughout the marriage. However, some prefer non-religieus books such as Hafez’s poem collection which represents love and has a special place in lranian culture.
Noon sangak and Gandom (stone-baked bread and wheat)
Bread and wheat have a special place in lranian culture. They bath represent prosperity and sufficiency in the couple’s life together. They are also symbols of sharing with family and friends.
More
Meeveh (fruits)
Afruit basket represents a joyful and prosperous life. The basket is aften filled with seasonal fruits, most significantly pomegranates, apples and grapes.
Tokhmeh murgh (eggs)
Eggs represent fertility. The eggs on the spread are aften decorated and embellished to add more beauty to the spread.
Badam, fandogh and gerdoo (almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts)
Nuts in general are the symbol of fertility in lranian culture.
Asal (honey)
Throughout any Persian wedding ceremony, sweet items represented in the Sofreh Aghd symbolise sweetness and wish tor a sweet future ahead. As part of the ritual, the couple sticks their fingers in a honey jar and put it in each other’s mouth wishing
each other love and sweetness throughout their
.
marnage.
Sekkeh (coins)
Coins are placed on the Sofreh Aghd to represent wealth and prosperity in the couple’s life.
Sheereeni & Shahkh-eh-Nabaat (sweets)
As sharing food and sweets is part of the lranian culture, placing sweets and pastries on the spread represents sharing sweet moments with the guests.
Kaleh Ghand (sugar cones)
Once the couple sits before the spread, an embroiled most beautiful white lace or satin cloth is
held above their head. Close family or friends are aften responsible to hold the 4 corners of the cloth. Then they grind two sugar canes against each other wishing the bride and groom sweetness and happiness. During this time, the bride and groom exchange vows and eventually say yes.
Esfand (wild rue)
Burning Esfand is essentially to evade bad spirits and a bad eye. This is wishing the couple a life without evil and negative thoughts and energy.
Golab (rose water)
As Iran has a history of producing rose water and is globally renowned for it, having rose water in the spread shows the rich history and culture as well as wishing fragrance and aroma to the newly wedded couple.
Soozan Nakh (needle & thread)
While the selected family and friends are grinding
the sugar canes, they can also use needle and thread to sew some stitches on the white spread held on top of the bride and groom’s head. This is a symbol of binding the two families and uniting the bride and groom as well as wishing them a strong bond throughout their marriage.