How was Nowruz celebrated in the past?

Another important tradition was the setting up of the "Haft-Seen" table, a spread of seven items that each symbolized a different aspect of life and represented the renewal and rebirth of the Earth. The items typically included: "sabzeh" (sprouted wheat or lentils symbolizing rebirth), "samanu" (sweet pudding symbolizing power), "senjed" (dried fruit symbolizing love), "seer" (garlic symbolizing medicine), "seeb" (apples symbolizing beauty and health), "somaq" (sumac symbolizing the sunrise), and "serkeh" (vinegar symbolizing age and patience). These items would be carefully arranged on the table and displayed for the duration of the Nowruz festivities.