What NOT To Eat On New Year’s Day

Most people have come up with their list of favorite New Year Lucky Foods but did you know that according to some superstitions, certain foods can bring you bad luck if eaten on New Year’s Day?  Here are some foods to avoid on New Year’s Day so you can be sure to start your year off right! 

Poultry & Winged Fowl
You should avoid eating anything with wings on New Year’s Day because it is believed your good luck will “fly away” with your meal.  Be sure to hold on to this year’s good luck by avoiding eating chicken, turkey, and other winged fowl.

Another good reason to not eat chicken or turkey on New Year’s Day is because these creatures scratch backward in the dirt, which is thought to symbolize dwelling on your past and preventing progress in the New Year. If you avoid eating chicken and turkey on New Year’s Day, you will start your year off in the right direction! 

Lobster, Shrimp & Crab
Because shellfish like lobsters, shrimp, and crabs move sideways and not forward in the water, you should not eat them on New Year’s Day.  Similar to superstitions about eating chicken on New Year’s Day, it is believed that eating these shellfish on the first day of the year will bring you setbacks throughout the year and prevent you from moving ahead in the coming year. 

Bottom-Feeding Fish
Bottom-feeding fish such as halibut, catfish, lobster, and shrimp are thought to be bad luck if eaten on New Year’s Day.  Because these creatures rummage for food at the bottom of the ocean, it is believed that eating such foods on New Year’s Day will cause you to struggle to make ends meet for the remainder of the year.  Avoid eating bottom-feeding fish on the first day of the year so the rest of the year you will be flying high!

White-Colored Foods
Another group of foods to avoid on New Year’s Day is foods that are all white in color, such as rice, bread, eggs, and tofu.  According to ancient Chinese beliefs, white symbolizes death– so it is considered unlucky to eat on New Year’s Day.  Stay away from foods that are all white on New Year’s Day and you won’t get bad luck!

Short Noodles
According to Chinese superstitions and taboos, you should never eat your noodles if they have been cut or broken, and this especially goes for Chinese New Year.  Long noodles symbolize longevity, so be sure to turn down any short noodles and slurp up long noodles only on New Year’s Day. 

Keep Leftovers
While you’re at it, in German culture it’s considered unlucky to eat every last bit of food on your plate on New Year’s Eve.  You should leave some leftover food on your plate past midnight on New Year’s Eve to ward off bad luck in the coming year.

Don’t Pass the Knife
Passing a knife or giving one as a gift symbolizes cutting ties with that person.  Especially on New Year’s Day, you should not pass any knives or give a knife as a gift– unless you want to be rid of that person in the coming year. 

If you are a fan of superstitions, we have several other blog posts you may want to read including Halloween Traditions Around the World,  Super Bowl Traditions and Superstitions, New Years Traditions and Superstitions,
New Years Lucky Colors & New Years Lucky Fruits.

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