Significance of Food in a festive Parsi Ses

By Rita Jamshed Kapadia

Traditionally, the bride brings to her new home a Ses gifted to her by her parents. She is bringing all these as part of her to the new household with sweetness, strength, love and to shed the light of knowledge.

When any good occasion or event comes up, I always bring out the “Ses” and polish it. The Ses is then filled with Flowers, Sweets, Candle or a Oil Lamp (Divo), Eggs, Sopari nuts, Pan Leaf, Rice, Rose water, Fruits like Coconut, Dates (kharek), Herbs (dry turmeric) and a good luck fertility symbolic fish (Silver or Gold Fish jewelry, Mava ni boi, sweet desserts made from marzipan and Yogurt (Mitthu Dahi) .

The Parsi Ses is filled with symbolic food items which signify certain values:

Sweets (Sugar cubes, Desserts, Chocolates, etc)
Value: Sweet Nature and outlook

Candle or a Oil Lamp (Divo)
Value: Light of knowledge and wisdom

Eggs (Do not boil, eggs should be raw)
Value: Fertility

Sopari nuts
Value: Reliable

Pan Leaf (Fresh leaf, if pan leaf is not found then use other fresh leaves)
Value: Fresh and Pure

Rice (Dry white rice)
Value: Fertility

Rose water in the “Pigani”
Value: Sweet words

Fruits (Coconut, Dates (kharek)
Value: Fertility

Spices and Herbs (dry turmeric)
Value: Strength of character

Fish (Silver or Gold Fish jewelry or a traditional Mava ni boi sweet dessert ***
Value: Good Luck

Yogurt (Mitthu Dahi)
Value: Good Luck

Red Kanku
Value: Good Blessings

*** Enjoy Marzipan Badam ni Boi (Fish Shaped) Parsi Mithai – Order HERE

Rita Jamshed Kapadia

Welcome to ParsiCuisine.com A site with one of the largest collection of American Indian Parsi Food Recipes, Videos, and Cookbooks. Check out our Online Cooking Classes, filled with fun cooking tips and stories. I delight in bringing people together over the globe. Consulting, supporting, encouraging and guiding everyday Homemaker, Chef, Caterer and Restaurant owners.