New Year Good Luck Traditions

-excerpts from info compiled by DGreetings

"Traditionally, it was believed that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. That is why, about all of us love to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of our family and friends. New Year bashes often last for hours after the ringing in of a new year in the middle of the night. It was once believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man.

"Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune.

"Many parts of the U.S. celebrate the New Year by consuming black-eyed peas. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures. The hog, and thus its meat, is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day. Japanese make rice cakes, Mochi to bring good luck in the coming year. The Spanish have had a traditional custom to celebrate New Year's Eve, 31st of December. At twelve p.m. everybody has to have twelve grapes to be eaten each time the clock chimes. By the time the clock has finished chiming, everybody has to finish their grapes and the New Year starts."