Jashn-e Mehregan: Private Exhibition
Jashn-e Mehregan is an Iranian festival which is apparently dedicated to the god of Mithra (Mehr). To read more, please visit http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/mehragan. Very briefly, in the Persian culture, Mehregan is believed to have the same significance as Nowruz, with Nowruz signalling the beginning of spring and Mehregan marking the arrival of autumn. The celebrations, which have their origins in the pre-Islamic period and are associated with agriculture and harvest, are usually held between 16 and 21 Mehr in the Persian calendar, which correspond to 8 and 13 October.
The Mehregan customs have evolved over the years, and while there are celebrations, people do not spread a sofreh. However, apparently a sofreh was part of the celebrations in the past. For October 2024, to mark the occasion a sofreh showcasing a contemporary interpretation of past practices was designed for a private exhibition.
This is the overall view of the sofreh created for the occasion of Jashn-e Mehregan. It incorporates a selection of fruits and vegetables harvested in autumn, as well as certain symbolic elements, including a mirror, flowers, fruits, flames, nuts and wheat, aspiring to various facets of prosperity, abundance and good fortune. This splendid sofreh was created against a backdrop of voluminously draped fine textile in autumnal tones.
This is a close-up of the left corner of the sofreh. The image focuses on a mirror with a gold-finish frame. Appropriate to the harvest season it features vine leaves. The same design appears on the antique porcelain cup acting as the central tea light holder. Three flames illuminate this section, one of which is delightfully reflected in the mirror.
This image focuses on an antique porcelain vase holding an ample sheaf of wheat, a symbol of blessing and abundance (barekat). Another antique porcelain vessel contains senjed (jujube fruit, sometimes translated as Russian olive), a symbol of love and rebirth. Gold-tinted nuts, a symbol of fertility, are presented in an antique crystal and silver-plated vessel. Miniature apples, also a symbol of fertility, are on display. This section is softly illuminated with the flames of tea lights, presented in attractive holders.
The focus of this image is one of a pair of bouquets adorning the two sides of the sofreh. The harmonious bouquets in subtle autumnal tones are made of fragrant smoked orange Moab roses, Lisianthus Terracotta, Magical Lightning Hypericums, Eucalyptus populus and berried Viburnum tinus. The vases are richly enveloped in draped lengths of the fine terracotta textile, which also forms the backdrop of the arrangement.
This is a close-up of the right corner of the sofreh. A graceful bunch of red grapes and a single vine leaf hang on an antique porcelain plate, which appropriately features delicate vine leaves. An attractive antique boat-shaped porcelain bowl contains senjed (jujube fruit), a symbol of love and rebirth. A single tea light surrounded by gold-tinted nuts, presented in another antique boat-shaped holder but this time in crystal and bronze, illuminates this corner.
The focus of the image is an antique silver-plated platter, showcasing a variety of root vegetables and peppers, appropriately representing the harvest season. The colour scheme of this elegant arrangement is soft, subtle and autumnal. Flames of various tea lights, presented in attractive holders, illuminate this harmonious ensemble.
This tray of a bold mixture of bright red pomegranates, a variety of apples and homegrown pears sits on the opposite corner to the container of root vegetables. Appropriately, all these fruits are in season in autumn. Pomegranates and apples, which are among the divine fruits (miveh-ye beheshti), represent life and fertility.
The focus of this image is the centre-front section of the sofreh. Bunches of a variety of trailing grapes hang from the tiered antique crystal and silver-plated container. Curly branches of vine are intertwined with these grapes. An impressive sheaf of wheat protrudes from the bottom tier. Most appropriately, this spectacular ensemble heralds the harvest season.
