Hyacinths: Inspiring and Fragrant Blooms for Persian New Year!

Hyacinths are beautiful, fragrant flowers that come in a variety of colours. Here’s a little breakdown of their colours and fragrances, especially when displayed in a vase:

Hyacinths are well-known for their strong, sweet, and intoxicating fragrance. The scent is usually described as floral, with hints of honey and a subtle, musky undertone. The fragrance can fill a room, so they’re often used as a centerpiece for their scent alone.

In a vase, the fragrance might be less intense than when grown in a garden, but it will still provide a lovely, soothing aroma. The fragrance tends to be strongest when the flowers are fully bloomed.

Persian New Year, or Nowruz, marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Iranian calendar. It typically falls on or around March 20th or 21st. One of the most iconic traditions associated with Nowruz is the preparation of the Haft-Seen, a symbolic table setting with seven items starting with the Persian letter "S" (س).

Hyacinths (Sonbol) are one of the traditional items placed on the Haft-Seen table. They symbolize the coming of spring and renewal, as well as the beauty and fragrance of nature. The hyacinth flowers are often placed in a decorative vase, and their vibrant colors (typically purple, white, or pink) add a fresh and joyful touch to the celebration. The strong, sweet scent of hyacinths is also associated with the hopes for a sweet, prosperous, and fragrant year ahead.

In addition to being part of the Haft-Seen, hyacinths are a popular decoration during the Nowruz season, bringing the sense of renewal and the spirit of spring to homes. The flowers are often grown ahead of time in pots, so they bloom just in time for the holiday.