People all around the world have various New Year traditions. Here in the south, one of the most observed traditions is having a big meal of black-eyed peas, hog jowl, cabbage or greens and corn bread. Whether or not the symbolization of each food truly work may never be proven. However, the tastiness of the once a year meal combo is proven by the taste buds every single time.

Believe it or not, we eat the hog jowl for good health and prosperity. One might think the greasy goodness is a heart attack waiting to happen or a super boost for the cholesterol. Perhaps because it is mostly only eaten on Jan. 1, it does not do that much damage to the arteries. Medical doctors may say otherwise. In some cultures eating pork is considered a sign of prosperity because pigs root forward.

If you are looking for luck in the New Year, you must eat those black-eyed peas. Again, who knows if this truly works, but yet again, they are delicious.

The tradition of eating black-eyed peas dates back to the Jewish New Year, Rash Hashana. It started in the south, as tradition, around the Civil War. Union General Sherman and his troops raided the Confederate food supplies. They left the salted pork and black-eyed piece thinking they were food for the animals. The Confederate soldiers considered this good luck since they had food to eat.

The cabbage, greens and cornbread all signify wealth, meaning the more you eat the more money you will receive in the New Year to come. Southerners added this tradition with the collard or turnip greens, as well as cabbage, because they are late crops. Fresh greens are ideal for a New Year meal. The cornbread, which is “golden” represents “golden opportunities” and pocket change. Not to mention it is delicious fresh out of the oven.

Another New Year tradition, or folklore, is concerning the home. A clean home represents a fresh start for the upcoming year. But, the cleaning must be done prior to Jan. 1. Tradition is that nothing should leave your house on the first day of the New Year – NOTHING.  There should be no sweeping, no doing laundry, no taking down the Christmas tree, do not even take out the garbage. Leave everything alone as this signifies not losing something important to you.

Also make sure your cupboards are stocked plentifully.  One does not want to have bare cupboards, or superstition states that will be the way of things for the entire New Year.

There are plenty more southern superstitions and traditions but these are the basic ones mostly observed.