by Len Di Gregorio

Created on: January 10, 2011

Of all the days in the calendar year to be one’s favorite – birthday, anniversary, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas - just to name a few, New Year’s Day remains the most desired and the most anticipated day of the entire year, for many. And it has little to do with having a compensated day off from work, a festive gathering, or over-indulging. 

The general psychology behind this holiday, which is the oldest of all holidays (and there are numerous documented traditions and beliefs), is that it presents a chance for a new beginning, with the hope of a better year than the previous one. “Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind”, is from the popular Scottish song Auld Lang Syne, written by Robert Burns, which translates to “old long ago.” It is traditionally played (and sung) just as the New Year begins – literally. Forget the past, forget the bad times, and let’s move forward, is a worthy philosophy that is presented here. 

To enhance one’s chances of being the beneficiary of good luck throughout the upcoming new year, many of us turn to family, friends and food on January 1st. Surrounding ourselves with these three valuables of life that typically bring us joy, while celebrating throughout the entire day, is the applied psychology here. And why not? It’s what we do on our precious time off throughout the year, so why not start the New Year - the first day of our new beginning - in this fashion? 

Certain foods consumed on this festive day are considered good luck – legumes, specifically black-eyed peas, and ham (to name a few popular choices here in the USA), while foods shaped as a ring in other cultures, such as the Dutch, are also symbols of good fortune. The ham and peas represent prosperity, while the ring symbolizes someone’s life coming full circle. As I’m writing this, I’m wondering if the saying “Ringing In the New Year” was derived from this belief. Additionally, leafy green vegetables symbolize money, which is one tradition of the Germans and the Irish, so it’s surely to be on their menu, come this special day. One Italian tradition is to throw out coins onto front lawns, for good fortune and prosperity. Another Italian tradition is to throw out old shoes. Out with the old, and in with the new, I suppose. Other ways of life believe that the first person you encounter on January 1st will be symbolic

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>