Food Superstitions: Stirring up the Quirky Beliefs Around Eating
Have you ever caught yourself knocking on wood or staying away from crossing paths with black cats? Don't worry, I do the same!
Across the world, in every culture and society, age-old traditions, customs, and beliefs have been passed down through generations. These practices are deeply rooted in our collective history and serve as a shield against misfortune and ill fate. One common thread among these rituals is the consumption of specific foods, believed to act as a safeguard against bad luck.
Welcome to the intriguing world of superstitions, foods, and actions that people take to steer clear of misfortune…now, doesn't that sound heady? But let's step back for a moment and let's explore the captivating customs in our family's past and find a way to preserve them for future generations.
Food, glorious food. Is it worth the waiting for? Yes, it's an excerpt from the renowned musical Oliver!, but it illustrates the profound significance that food holds, brimming with beliefs and customs. Across different cultures, each of us consumes specific foods not only to ward off misfortune and banish evil but also to welcome good luck. Let's investigate the fascinating world of meals consumed in order to avoid ill omens and safeguard oneself from misfortune. Maybe one or two of them may already be a part of your life.
China, known for its rich culture and vast food diversity, has maintained a longstanding tradition around food and luck. When my husband and I honeymooned in China, we enjoyed the customary tradition of indulging in longevity noodles on his birthday. It represented a long life, but the key was that they were always left uncut, and you would need to slurp the noodles or tie them around your chopsticks to ensure the "bad energy" didn't escape.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day is ripe with action taken to ensure the future is bright. I have a friend who faithfully consumes twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. Each grape symbolizes good fortune for one month of the upcoming year. This tradition was brought to the United States by his grandparents, who immigrated from Europe.
Collards and Black-eyed-peas
Let’s get local. For over four decades, my sisters have lived in the Southern US, and during that time, a new tradition has become a part of our family: enjoying black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year's Day. According to this tradition, black-eyed peas symbolize luck, while collard greens represent money, ensuring a financially booming year ahead. As
I embraced this "new" family tradition, and we eagerly prepared these dishes by washing, dicing, and cooking them according to the recipe. However, when we finally tasted them, it was like chewing on waxy paper and bitter greens. We wondered if this unpleasant experience was a necessary sacrifice for the promised good fortune. Despite our urge to gag, we reluctantly ate the unappetizing meal. It was only after sharing our ordeal with our brother-in-law that we discovered the secret to improving these dishes: spices and bacon. It became clear that consulting a native about cultural expectations is often essential, or maybe he should have made the first batch.
In my Polish-American family, the ultimate expression of love during Christmas is sharing an oplatek. This thin, flat, and seemingly flavorless wafer holds a significant meaning. And we are not the only ones. Prior to indulging in the Christmas Eve feast, numerous families with Eastern European heritage, including those from Poland, join in this age-old tradition that spans generations.
Oplatek Exchange
At the start of dinner, my dad would take the flavorless Christmas wafer and express his hopes for our mom in the upcoming year. Following that, mom would then break off a piece of the oplatek and eat it. She then reciprocated the good wishes and shared the wafer back with him. But the tradition doesn't end there. The ceremonial sharing of wafers and extending good wishes continues with older relatives, guests, and children, starting with the oldest.
The customs and traditions seem to be never-ending, offering a multitude of captivating stories. Personally, these culinary rituals provide me with a sense of comfort, a connection to the past, and a feeling of empowerment over my own life's path. Reflecting upon the reasons behind these practices, I can't help but contemplate the countless generations before me who have taken the very same actions. At that moment, we are united, bound together by shared experiences throughout the years.
Does this make you think about your cultural customs? Well, that's good. They offer a wide variety of traditions that add some excitement to our daily lives and great stories to tell. We all have a history filled with stories of survival, resilience, and a strong belief in the influence of food on our destiny…pass it on!
By embracing and sharing these beliefs, we are ensuring that future generations develop a deeper understanding and respect for the diverse traditions within our families. Let's help the kids understand our family's traditions and customs and remind them of the significance of cultural traditions.
Let’s pause for a moment to admire the culinary customs that may be part of your family's heritage. Not only are they enjoyable and excellent conversation starters, but they are also crucial in the efforts to uphold and pass down these valuable traditions. It is our responsibility to ensure that they are treasured and carried forward to generations yet to come.
