New Year’s Eve is magical because it bridges the gap between the past year and what is coming. For many, it also becomes a chance to rely on rituals, symbolism and beliefs in the hope of a more prosperous future.
The midnight of the New Year is a unique moment, full of emotions and expectations. It’s an opportunity to end the old year and welcome the new with optimism and hope.
In Italy, this special night is accompanied by ancient and modern traditions, rituals and symbolism that unite family and friends, all united by the desire for a new year more serene and rich.
Fireworks are an explosion of hope
Among the most spectacular moments of how New Year’s Eve is celebrated in Italy stand out without a doubt the fireworks. When midnight strikes, from north to south, the sky is illuminated with colorful lights and scenographic plots that express joy and renewal.
The tradition of fireworks has ancient roots: it was believed that noise and explosions drive away evil spirits, leaving room for a rich and serene year. Even today, the great squares are filled with people who gather to watch beautiful light games and fireworks.
Fortune is sought at the table
The New Year’s Eve dinner is a real triumph of flavors and traditions, but among the inevitable protagonists there is the combination of lentils and cotechino (or zampone). Why? Lentils, thanks to their rounded shape that reminds small coins, symbolize wealth and fortune; cotechino and zampone, being preparations based on fatty meat, represent the abundance. The belief is that eating a generous portion at midnight will ensure economic fortune for the year to come.
Next to lentils with cotechino or zampone there is the pomegranate, fruit that symbolizes fortune and wealth. Whether for the numerous seeds, the fiery red color or the biblical references that place the fruit in the Promised Land, consuming its beans in purity or a recipe is seen as a powerful amulet able to banish bad luck and promote the fulfillment of desires.
Among the auspicious foods, there are those who prefer grapes to pomegranates. In the last minutes before midnight, according to this Spanish tradition, eating twelve grapes brings good luck for the twelve months of the new year. It is now very widespread in Italy, where each grain is often associated with a desire for the future, such as love, health, success or happiness.
Also the dried fruits, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, raisins, dates and figs, has always been considered a symbol of luck, a tradition that goes back to the Roman era. Consuming it on New Year’s Eve is a wish for prosperity and well-being in the new year.
The red of fortune
Another curious tradition of good omen is to wear a piece of red underwear on New Year’s Eve. As with the pomegranate, the red color is associated with the idea of passion and vitality, becoming a symbol of protection and luck.
The tradition of wearing something red on New Year’s Eve has distant origins, even dating back to the time of Octavian Augustus, when wearing red clothes during the Roman New Year symbolized power. In the Middle Ages, red was considered a shield against evil spirits, witches and misfortune. Only later, it was associated with the intimate.
Today, regardless of what is done on New Year’s Eve, many people continue to follow this tradition, but with different rituals: some wear their underwear backwards until midnight to attract luck; others throw it after midnight as a sign of renewal. For it to really work, however, the underwear must be new and given away.
Popular beliefs and small rituals
Besides the great traditions, there are other popular beliefs that still survive in many families. Here are the other traditions of New Year’s:
Throwing out old objects: especially in some southern regions, it is common to throw away unused objects as a symbolic gesture to get rid of the past;
Opening the windows of a dark room at midnight: the goal is to let in the new year’s air and drive away the negative energies of the old;
Light a candle before midnight: the flame of the candle drives away negativity and welcomes the year with positive energy. Each colour has its own meaning: green evokes wealth; white wishes for serenity; red symbolizes love and passion; blue wishes for serenity;
Putting a coin under the plate: symbolic gesture is intended to attract prosperity.
Toast with bubbles
You can not miss the midnight toast, strictly with an Italian sparkling wine and traditional desserts such as pandoro or panettone. At the time of the toast, it is customary to exchange hugs and good wishes, accompanied by the classic “Happy New Year”.
After the toast, there are also those who touch their ears with a few drops of sparkling wine just opened, symbolic gesture of good omen.
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