What it means
سفره (sofreh) is the ceremonial cloth-spread for meals or rituals. Originally laid on the floor with everyone seated around it, today often placed on a table for symbolic occasions.
How to use it
- سفره را پهن کن (sofre râ pahn kon) “Spread the sofreh”
- سفره هفتسین (sofre-ye haft-sin) “the Nowruz seven-S sofreh”
- سفره عقد (sofre-ye aqd) “the wedding sofreh”
Cultural depth
The sofreh is a sacred space. The Nowruz haft-sin sofreh holds seven symbolic items (sib, sabze, samanu, etc.). The sofreh-ye-aqd is the wedding cloth covered with mirrors, candles, herbs, and bread inscribed with prayers. Nazri food is served on a sofreh laid in the alley or courtyard. You do not step over a sofreh.
Register notes
Neutral, used by all generations. Even apartment-dwelling families lay a sofreh for Nowruz, even if just on the dining table. The word carries continuity with pre-modern domestic life.
Etymology
From Arabic root s-f-r, related to traveling and provisions. The original sense was a leather cloth carried by travelers to spread their food on. Persian adopted and ritualized it.
References
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