Food has long been associated with good fortune and prosperity in cultures around the world. Many traditions include eating specific foods during celebrations, holidays, or milestones in the hope of attracting good luck and positive outcomes.
Here are four foods that symbolize good luck in different cultures and why they hold such significance.
Lentils (Italy)
In Italy, lentils are a traditional food for New Year’s Eve. Their round, coin-like shape is believed to symbolise wealth and abundance in the coming year.
Often served with sausages or pork, which represent strength, lentils are eaten at midnight to usher in prosperity. The more lentils you eat, the more wealth you’re said to attract.
Grapes (Spain)
In Spain, it’s customary to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, one for each chime of the clock. Each grape represents one month of the year, and eating them quickly—without choking!—is believed to bring good luck for the entire year.
This tradition has spread to other Spanish-speaking countries and remains a beloved New Year’s tradition.
Fish (China)
In Chinese culture, fish is a symbol of abundance and prosperity, often eaten during Lunar New Year celebrations. The word for fish, “yú,” sounds like the word for surplus or abundance in Mandarin.
Fish is typically served whole to symbolise completeness, and it’s customary to leave some uneaten to ensure prosperity carries over into the new year.
Black-Eyed Peas (Southern United States)
In the Southern United States, black-eyed peas are considered a symbol of good luck, particularly when eaten on New Year’s Day. The tradition, known as “Hoppin’ John,” pairs black-eyed peas with rice and is said to bring prosperity.
The peas themselves are thought to represent coins, while the accompanying greens represent money.
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