very similar to the Chinese calendar.
By tradition, a great feast is prepared, family reunions are held, and many celebrations are held in cities across the country. Many in Vietnam see Tet as the beginning of spring as well. Cleaning the home is also part of the traditional observances to symbolically clean out the bad spirits from the previous year.
Different types of food are also associated with the New Year’ s celebrations. In India, rice is eaten for prosperity in the new year. Buttered bread is supposed to be good luck in Ireland. In Spain, people traditionally eat 12 grapes at midnight, one at each chime, to bring luck for the year. In the American South, black-eyed peas are eaten for good luck for the new year. Leafy green vegetables like collard greens are supposed to symbolize prosperity.
In some cultures, it is also customary to exchange gifts on New Year’ s Day. In Ancient Persia, eggs were given as symbols of fertility in the new year. When observances of Christmas and religion were outlawed in the Soviet Union, Russians responded by shifting gift-giving from Christmas to New Year’ s Day. In Scotland, gifts of silverware or pastries are traditionally given for luck. In the Philippines, Christmas and New Year’ s Day celebrations are often combined.
There are many other superstitions for luck surrounding celebrations. In France, the weather on New Year’ s Day is supposed to be an omen for the year’ s weather. Brazilians wear white for good luck while households in Puerto Rico sprinkle sugar outside their homes to invite good fortune inside. In Scotland, the first person to enter the home in the new year is also supposed to symbolize a person’ s luck for the year.
To this day, New Year’ s Day is still a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the days ahead. What 2026 and the years beyond hold is as yet a mystery. But as Winston Churchill once said,“ The further in the past we look, the farther ahead we can see.”
Dr. Ken Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan. He can be reached by email: drkenbridges @ gmail. com.
Photo by The Associated Press
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