Eating lentils, jumping seven waves, setting off fireworks… New Year’s superstitions have curious explanations

The tradition that is tradition doesn’t have much explanation. Or not. Have you ever thought about the real reason why most people at New Year associate good luck with eating lentils – and/or grapes, chestnuts, pomegranates, dried fruits, fish, pork? Strictly speaking, there are historical bases, with an air of legend, for these and other beliefs that for centuries have been the focus of New Year’s Eve crowds, yes, New Year’s Eve too.

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And the truth. Until the popularization of fireworks — visually (and sonically, pouf pouf), unveiled from Brazil to Australia every January 31, has a specific motivation. Nothing happens by chance. Below, discover some explanations of the famous customs practiced during the New Year.

What does it mean to eat lentils on New Year’s Eve?

Lentils, a common dish at New Year's Eve dinners across the country — Photo: Disclosure — Lentils, a common dish at New Year’s Eve dinners across the country — Photo: Disclosure

Of Italian origin, the tradition of eating lentils at New Year arrived in Brazil with immigrants. The custom of consuming legumes at the end of the year symbolizes the desire for prosperity and financial abundance. The belief is linked to the shape of the grain, similar to that of a coin. In Italy, the popular saying sums up the tradition: “Lenticchie a capod’anno, franchi tutto l’anno” — in Portuguese, “lentils in the New Year, money all year long.”

What is the significance of fireworks on New Year’s Eve?

New Year's Eve fireworks in Copacabana — Photo: Guito Moreto/Agência O Globo — New Year’s Eve fireworks in Copacabana — Photo: Guito Moreto/Agência O Globo

The origin of fireworks dates back to China, more than two thousand years ago, when the so-called “chemical fire” was used at the ends of bamboos. According to Eastern tradition, noise and light were used to ward off evil spirits. Over time, science and technology have improved the technique. After spreading throughout Europe, fireworks arrived in Brazil brought by Portuguese and Italian immigrants. The tradition then begins to spread across all continents.

What is the meaning of jumping the seven waves?

Jumping seven waves is one of the most common New Year's Eve rituals. In the photo, fireworks light up Copacabana Beach on New Year's Eve — Photo: Léo Martins/Agência O Globo — Jumping seven waves is one of the most common New Year’s Eve rituals. In the photo, fireworks light up Copacabana Beach on New Year’s Eve — Photo: Léo Martins/Agência O Globo

In Umbanda, the number seven symbolizes the seven lines that structure the religion, so that each jump corresponds to a request addressed to a different orixá. Considered Kabbalistic, the number is also associated with Exu, an entity linked to financial prosperity and opening paths and opportunities. This is where the tradition of New Year’s Eve comes from.

What does the chestnut symbolize?

Chestnuts and dried fruits on a shelf in a market — Photo: Beatriz Orle/Agência O Globo

Rich in calcium, vitamins E and B, chestnuts, walnuts and hazelnuts are associated with disease prevention and, in the popular imagination, also with prosperity. Brought to Brazil by Arab immigrants, these sustainable foods symbolize abundance and continuity throughout the year, an idea reinforced by the rounded shape of the grains. At the start of the new year, the tradition is to eat seven chestnuts – a number considered sacred and lucky – or keep them in your wallet or under your pillow, to attract good energy, abundance and wealth.

What is the meaning of the pomegranate in the New Year?

Pomegranate: the fruit is eaten at New Year — Photo: Video Bank/Canva

The tradition of eating pomegranates on New Year’s Eve has its origins in Greece, where the fruit is thrown on the ground, broken and shared among those present as a symbol of prosperity, luck and renewal. In the Catholic Church, on the occasion of Three Kings Day, celebrated on January 6, the custom is to eat the fruit and keep a few seeds in your wallet, in order to attract luck and money.

What does the color white mean for New Year’s Eve?

Crowd dressed in white on New Year's Eve in Copacabana — Photo: Léo Aversa/Agência O Globo/1°-1-1997 — Crowd dressed in white on New Year’s Eve in Copacabana — Photo: Léo Aversa/Agência O Globo/1°-1-1997

The tradition of wearing white on New Year’s Eve grew stronger in Brazil starting in the 1970s, when clerics of African descent began holding ceremonies in Copacabana in honor of Iemanjá, a deity associated with the sea and the protection of pregnant women and fishermen. With the popularization of the celebrations, the custom was consolidated in Brazilian culture and began to be adopted by people outside the religious context.