Ceremony- Sofre Aghd

September 4th 2009 at 7 pm

Castillo de Santa Catalina, Malaga, Spain

The Sofre Aghd, is the legal ceremony of the Iranian wedding. During this ceremony, a spread or sofreh is prepared for the bride and groom. This custom has roots in the Zoroastrian faith. The Zoroastrian faith is based on the four elements of nature: earth, fire, water, and wind, and still has a strong influence on Persian celebrations. Traditionally the sofreh preparation is taken very seriously because what it contains is believed and hoped to be in the couple’s life and marriage. The word sofreh means “spread” like a table or food spread and appears in many Persian celebrations. The spread is typically set on the floor facing the east so that the couple facing the sofreh will face the light.

It used to be that a very small select group of people would be allowed to witness the Aghd ceremony, since it was believed that younger, unmarried women should hear the wedding readings for the first time at their own wedding. Nowadays and specifically related to our wedding we thought our guests would find this cultural ceremony very interesting, especially those who may not have seen it before or may not know what the signifiance of the Sofreh Aghd is.

After the couple and wedding party walk in, the couple is seated on a bench or wide chair at the head of the sofreh. They should face the sofreh and be able to see themselves in the mirror. At this point, the officiant arrives and typically sits on the right side of the sofreh, facing the couple. He proceeds to read the agreed upon vows and begins the ceremony

Both bride and groom provide a witness, typically an older married male such as the fathers, older brother or similar. In traditional Persian weddings, the ceremony consists of preliminary blessings and questions to the witnesses, guardians and the couple. After the preliminary blessings and a few words about the importance of the institution of marriage, the officiant typically confirms with both parents that he can proceed with no objections. Then he asks the mutual consent of the couple.

During the service and the readings, married female relatives of the couple hold over the couple's head a white silky Ghand cloth. Two pieces of crystallized sugar called Kalleh Ghand shaped like cones are rubbed together, showering the couple with white powder. This symbolic act is meant to sweeten the couple's life.�

Once the couple is pronounced husband and wife, they exchange rings and kiss. At this point, the honey is also presented to them. Here, the groom dips his finger into the honey and gives some to the bride. She does the same in turn and they are ensured a sweet and happy life together. The wedding party hands out sweets, and pastries from the sofreh to the guests. Items from the sofreh are always thought to bring good luck and great fortune. Bride and groom give each other more sweets such as sweet almonds and nuts. They may then proceed to light the candles on either side of the mirror, one for the bride and one for the groom to symbolize light in their new life.�

Perhaps the best part of the Persian wedding is the sofreh and its significance. The spread contains many items, all to symbolize different qualities that the couple would hope to bring into their new life together.

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Symbolic Items Include:

� � � � � � � � � � � � A mirror and two candelabras, which represent the couple and their bright future.

� � � � � � � � � � � Painted eggs, decorated almonds and nuts in their shells, all representing fertility

� � � � � � � � � � � � Sangak, a special flatbread which has a blessing written on it.

� � � � � � � � � � � � A bowl of gold coins, symbolic of prosperity

� � � � � � � � � � � � A bowl made of crystallized sugar, to sweeten life

� � � � � � � � � � � � A cup of honey, also to sweeten life.

� � � � � � � � � � � � A basket of pomegranates and apples, for a joyous future.

� � � � � � � � � � � A large silk scarf or shawl, which is held over the bride's and groom's heads during the ceremony

� � � � � � � � � � � � Two sugar cones, to symbolize happiness. These are ground up together over the shawl.

� � � � � � � � � � � Trays of traditional sweets and pastries, which will be served after the ceremony.

� � � � � � � � � � � � Spice Tray: Tray of seven herbs and spices to guard against the evil eye. These include: Poppy Seeds "Khash-Khaash", Wild Rice "Berenj", Angelica "Sabzi Khoshk", Salt "Namak" (to blind the evil eye), Nigella Seeds "Raziyaneh", Black Tea "Chaay", Frankincense "Kondor"

� � � � � � � � � � Termeh: Traditional Perisan silk/gold embroidered cloth, handed down from generations to symbolize family and tradition

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Added on Fri, Aug 15th 2008

Party!

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Castillo de Santa Catalina

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Added on Fri, Aug 15th 2008