Apple, Crystal Ball, Dumpling – An Unusual New Year’s Eve

Ever since mankind began counting years, we’ve been able to tell more clearly just how fast they pass. First, just as seven days, then twelve months, and finally a new year. And the new year could bring new challenges, which is why, since ancient times, people have been trying to forget about the passage of time, while also trying to predict the future. Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Holy Roman Empire considered the New Year an exceptional occasion. Additionally, the Roman Saturnalia festival laid the foundation for the tradition of noisy year-end celebrations in European culture.  The name of this day originates from Pope Sylvester.

December 31st is all about celebration: events, fireworks, and family gatherings are the highlights of this day. Noisy joy was always part of New Year's Eve festivity since this is how to chase away bad intentions and potential evil.

The number of luck-bringing traditions has grown immensely over the decades. There are different ways to attract love, money, health, or luck. The most widespread among these tricks usually have a connection to food.

In many places, people traditionally eat fish on the first day of the year. Fish scales closely resemble coins, and according to tradition, this similarity might lead to prosperity. Additionally, fish swim in schools, symbolizing abundance on one hand, and family unity and togetherness on the other.

Eating round foods is also a common tradition, as the circle symbolizes both closure and new beginnings. This is closely tied to the consumption of exactly thirteen grapes, representing the twelve unified months of the old year and the first month of the new year.

Perhaps the most well-known New Year's Eve dish is lentils, as their abundance is thought to symbolize a wealth of coins. Of course, other seed-like foods can also fulfil the hopes placed in lentils, for instnacemillet and rice.

A special tradition involves eating fruit, especially apples, on January 1st. Apple seeds are believed to reveal the number of successes in the coming year, while the fruits themselves are thought to make commitments fruitful

The most important moment of New Year's Eve is that brief transition when 23:59 becomes 00:00. We welcome the first minute of the new year with a toast. And what better drink for the occasion than champagne? The French beverage has always been a symbol of celebration and wealth. Some even spill a little on the ground to ensure the house is completely protected.

Illustration: Dorka Szabó

Beyond “simple” luck, there are practices specifically tied to attracting wealth. A common piece of advice is not to carry debts from one year into the next, as this could cause your money to drain away. On the first day of the new year, it’s also recommended to avoid spending or lending money, as it might set a pattern for the entire year. Additionally, it’s a good idea to place paper money in your wallet and sprinkle lentils among them to ensure their numbers multiply. For those dreaming of travelling abroad, adding the currency of the desired country to this “wallet-garden” is also said to help bring those dreams closer.

At the beginning of the new year, alongside luck and money, love also plays an important role. On January 1st, love divinations were performed, which young girls especially enjoy. In older folk traditions, it was common to kick the side of the pigsty at midnight. If the piglets squealed, the girl was said to be lucky - she would surely get marriedthat year. Another sign of an imminent marriage was if someone found the almond hidden in the lentil stew. Additionally, various types of pasta dumplings would contain paper slips with men’s names written in them, and the man whose name appeared first when the dumpling floated to the surface of the hot water was believed to be the girl's future husband. A newer tradition involved lovers smearing honey on their lips and kissing each other, ensuring that their upcoming year would be sweet.

There are also New Year's customs that are specific to certain countries. For example, in Spain and Latin America, people eat thirteen grapes, one for each strike of the midnight bell. In Italy, the customs are a bit more drastic when it comes to bidding farewell to the old year: people throw out old and outdated items from their windows and then break ceramic plates to scare away evil spirits.

In the United States, the focus is less on the contrast between the old and new year and more on the celebration itself. As many people as possible flood into Times Square to count down together. To ensure they don’t miss midnight, a huge crystal ball descends, marking the passing minutes.

In Russia, on December 31st, another guest arrives alongside the New Year: Father Frost. With a striking resemblance to Santa Claus, he brings gifts for everyone, which he hides under the New Year's tree.

Perhaps it doesn’t matter how loudly we celebrate, or whether we focus on the future or the past on New Year’s Eve; the important thing is that we celebrate.

We take a break from the unstoppable flow of time and pause. And even if we can’t banish the troubles of the coming year, we can certainly chase away any bad moods.

Translated by: Zoé Eötvös