12 Passover Seder Plates Guaranteed to Become Your Next Family Heirloom

The Seder occurs on the first or second night of Passover, when families get together to begin their observance—which involves breaking out a Seder plate. "The Seder plate remains on the table throughout the Passover meal. It serves as a sort of symbolic centerpiece, and is filled with six ingredients or items that serve as metaphors representing various aspects of the Passover story—which is what the Seder is really all about," says Rebekah Lowin, founder of Jewish-focused lifestyle blog RebekahLowin.com. "Most families stick to the same six ritual items that have been used for centuries and generations, but some newer traditions have emerged over the past few decades, like the inclusion of an orange to symbolize solidarity with women and LGBTQ communities."

As for the food? "The Seder plate is comprised with specific foods that are a symbolic aspect of Passover," explains Debi Traub, photographer, stylist, blogger, and creator of Simply Beautiful Eating. "A roasted shank bone represents the Passover sacrifice, an egg represents spring and the circle of life, bitter herbs represent the bitterness of slavery, haroset (an applesauce-like mixture with wine, nuts, apples, et cetera) represents the mortar used by the Jews in Egypt, karpas (or greens, often parsley) to represent spring."

The Seder plate also often becomes a family heirloom that can be passed down through the generations. But if you don't yet have one, how should you choose a Passover Seder plate for your table? Lowin suggests choosing one that speaks to your personal style, while Traub says that you can now choose from a variety of modern designs suited to any decorative tablescape. For a selection of the very best, browse this curated collection.