Celebrating the New Year to attract good luck and prosperity is a cornerstone of many cultures. Each has its own unique traditions passed down through generations and enjoyed by the whole family and community at large.
Hawaiian prayers. In ancient times, Hawaiians would honor Lono, the god of fertility, and the start of the four-month Makahiki season. As Lono passed over each district, villagers would stop work, make offerings to their chief and celebrate. It was a time of joy and prayer for the prosperity of the land, abundance of harvest, and good health for the family. While the Hawaiian new year is now a multicultural celebration, you will see families taking time off work to enjoy each other’s company and the season.
Celebrating circles in the Philippines. In the Philippines, eating circular fruit like peaches, apples or pears, is believed to attract abundance and wealth. Almost anything associated with round shapes is considered good luck, such as wearing polka-dotted clothing and throwing coins at the stroke of midnight.
Ring of luck in Mexico. In Mexico, New Year’s Eve is celebrated at midnight with a drink of champagne with a twist inherited from the Spanish. Mexicans like to add a gold ring to the bottom glass before toasting ‘¡salud!’ to attract prosperity. If you don’t have a ring, any small gold object, like a gold chain, pendant, or cameo brooch, carries the same luck.
Fish for fortune in China. In Chinese culture, eating a whole fish together with family is believed to bring wealth in the new year. There are also traditional rules associated with the way you eat New Year’s fish. For example, the head of the fish must point toward the elders, and the person facing the fish’s head must eat first!
Blacken the eye of a doll in Japan. In Japan, a daruma is a good luck charm that helps you reach your goals. The doll must have blank eyes. When a wish is made, you can fill in the left eye. You can fill in the right eye after the wish is granted or one year has safely passed. At the end of the year, the spent doll can be returned to a temple and burned to symbolize moving forward from the past year’s struggles.
Our world is rich and diverse with customs that define each and every place. Whether it’s praying, enjoying a meal or drink, or buying a charm, welcome a healthy, happy, and abundant chapter into your life this New Year.—RG
