On New Years Day, I began wondering why we eat black-eye peas for good luck on New Years Day. So I did a bit of digging and found “35 Popular New Year’s Traditions to Bring You Good Fortune in 2024” by Marisa Lascala. So, I decided to share the first eight with you.
Have Hoppin' John on New Year's Day
Many believe that anyone who makes this dish of black-eyed peas, pork and rice on January 1 will experience luck and peace for the rest of the year. And maybe prosperity, too: According to History.com, “Hoppin’ John was, and still is, often eaten with collard greens, which can resemble paper money, and ‘golden’ cornbread. The peas themselves represent coins. Some families boost the potential of their Hoppin’ John by placing a penny underneath the dishes — or adding extra pork, which is thought to bring more luck.”
Or Try Something Else Round
Many cultures believe eating round foods on New Year’s Eve will lead to prosperity. In Italy, lentils serve the same function as the black-eyed peas in Hoppin’ John, with their round shape representing coins. And in the Philippines, it’s customary to eat 12 round fruits, one for every month, to ensure a year of abundance. The fruits usually take center stage at the table for the media noche, or the midnight meal.
Dress in Dots
And in the Philippines, revelers don’t just try to eat circles — partygoers wear them, too. Polka dots are all the rage on December 31, increasing the chances for good luck in the new year.
Watch ball (or something) drop
Crowds have been gathering in New York City’s Times Square to watch the ball drop since 1907. Nowadays, hundreds of thousands of revelers pack Times Square, waiting for hours before midnight, while an estimated more than one billion people watch the ball drop on TV, according to Times Square’s official website.
Or, you can see something else fall as a visual countdown to the new year: Plymouth, Wisconsin hosts a Big Cheese Drop; Kennett Square, PA uses a giant mushroom and New Orleans drops a fleur de lis (formerly a big gumbo pot). No matter what symbol is used, it does make for a dramatic countdown.
Wearing white
Brazil makes it easier to choose your New Year’s Eve outfit — everyone wears white for good luck and peace. Plus, matching outfits make for classy-looking photos!
Jump waves
Also in Brazil, if you head to the beach, you can increase your luck by heading to the water and jumping over seven waves. You get one wish for each wave, so think up your want list before heading into the water.
Giving Gifts
Christmas was forbidden in Soviet Russia, so New Year’s became the big gift-giving occasion during that time. Presents were delivered not by Santa but by Ded Moroz, or Father Frost, often aided by his granddaughter, Snegourochka. Anyone ready for another round of gift-giving?
Make A Resolution
You might think that making resolutions for the new years is a relatively recent trend, historically speaking, but the tradition is very old — and likely dates back more than 4,000 years. Historians believe Babylonians, one of the first cultures to actually celebrate the changing of the year, made promises to pay debts or return borrowed objects.
Full Article
For some light reading, you might want to check out the rest of the traditions like:
- Make a Fish Dish
- Smash a Plate
- Eat 12 Grapes
- Decorate Your Front Door
- Jump Into the New Year
- Buy a New Lucky Charm
- Swing That Bread
- Pack Light
- Hide a Surprise
- Keep the Windows Open, Doors too!
- Smash the Peppermint Pig
- Try to Predict What’ll Come Next
- … plus 15 more
Here is a link to the full list: