Sofreh Aghd - Iranian Wedding
From Iran to America, Persian Wedding Traditions Continue
During an Iranian wedding ceremony, the bride and groom exchange wedding vows while sitting aside the sofreh aghd, a lavish Persian spread of symbolic items.
Many Iranian Americans retain a number of Persian culture’s rich traditions and customs. This is particularly evident during the celebration of a marriage.
The Arusi and Aghd
The arusi, or Iranian wedding reception, is typically a large and extravagant affair, and the aghd, or wedding ceremony itself, is just as elaborate.
Blending Islamic tradition with Zoroastrian influence, an Iranian marriage ceremony often takes place in the intimate setting of the bride's home. There, a room is prepared for the occasion and lavishly decorated with flowers. If the bride and group wish to share this event with all of their wedding guests, the aghd may take place at the site of the reception.
The Sofreh and Sofreh Aghd
During the ceremony, the couple takes their vows while facing Mecca. They sit aside their sofreh aghd, a sumptuous spread of symbolic items.
Key to the display is the sofreh, a lavish Persian embroidered or silk fabric on which the items are arranged. Although this spread may be passed down from one family member to another, many Iranian Americans rent the fabric and hallmark items.
Symbolic Items Include:
- A mirror and two candelabras, which represent the couple and their bright future. When the bride enters, she is seated next to her fiancé and her veil is lifted, so the first thing the groom sees is his bride's reflection in the mirror.
- Painted eggs, decorated almonds and nuts in their shells, all representing fertility
- E-sangak, a special flatbread which has a blessing written on it. It will be served on a platter with cheese and shared with guests after the ceremony
- Rosewater to perfume the air, as it is believed the Prophet Muhammad wore rosewater
- 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. After the couple is married they will dip their fingers into the honey and feed it to each other.
- A basket of pomegranates, for a joyous future. The Holy Qur’an mentions pomegranates as a fruit that will be found in heaven.
- A large silk scarf or shawl, which is held over the bride's and groom's heads during the ceremony. Prior to the ceremony, the groom's mother might sew one corner of the shawl with brightly colored threads, symbolic of her "sewing her lips" from saying unkind things about her daughter-in-law.
- Two sugar cones, to symbolize happiness. These are ground up together over the shawl-covered heads of the bride and groom to shower them with sweetness.
- A copy of the Holy Qur'an, representing the blessing of Allah (God), and a prayer rug.
- Trays of traditional sweets and pastries, which will be served after the ceremony.
Other Islamic Marriage Traditions
Other cultures have equally rich wedding traditions. See Islamic Wedding Traditions: Marriage Customs in the Muslim World to see how Muslims worldwide might celebrate their marriages.
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