It’s officially a new year! Despite the pandemic cancelling most New Year’s parties, many cultures have other traditions to celebrate the end of Earth’s revolution. 

Numerous countries have specific “good luck” foods that they eat as the new year arrives. In Spain, 12 grapes are eaten to bring success throughout the 12 months. Similarly, Filipinos eat 12 round-like fruits, such as apples, persimmons, and plums, to ensure a year of prosperity. Southern American states eat a special dish called “Hoppin’ John” made with rice and black-eyed peas (symbolizes coins). Collard greens (symbolizes money) and cornbread (symbolizes gold) are often served with this meal. Japanese soba noodles are made of buckwheat, which is known to survive extreme weather during its growing season. For this reason, this dish represents strength and resilience.

Not only does eating certain foods bring luck, but wearing certain attire as well. In Latin America, wearing a specific color of underwear is associated with what the new year will bring for an individual, whether that be red for love, yellow for good luck or wealth, and white for peace. 

Throwing objects seems to be a common theme around the world for good luck: The Swiss throw ice cream cones, Italians throw furniture out their windows, and the Irish throw bread at their walls. At midnight in Denmark, people throw plates at other houses as a sign of camaraderie. It’s a little like a popularity contest, as houses with the most plate shards are thought to have the most luck.

If you are in Greece during the holiday time, don’t be surprised if you see a pomegranate hanging near people’s front doors. On the night of New Year’s Eve, families gather outside of their homes and one member is given the honor of being the first to re-enter their house once the clock strikes 12. Then, another member smashes the pomegranate to scatter its seeds. It is believed that the more seeds that fall, the more luck the new year will bring. This tradition is known as Kalo Podariko. 

Regardless of the different New Year’s traditions around the world, it’s comforting to know that they all have similar intentions. It’s a sign of global unification, which is especially needed after a year of disconnection due to the pandemic. Cheers to a fun-filled 2022! 

 

References: 

Chang, A. (2021, December 31). How different cultures around the world encourage good luck in the new year. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-good-luck-traditions-new-year-1.6301374.

Ditaranto, J. (2019, December 20). 12 New Year’s traditions from around the world. https://www.smartertravel.com/12-new-years-traditions-from-around-the-world/.

Kludt, A. (2021, December 30). 10 New Year’s food traditions from around the world. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/new-years-food-traditions/index.html.

 

written by Sarasi Rout 

edited by Tryphena Pilli and Kashvi Ramani