Out with the Old, in with the New

“Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page.  Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.” Henry Ward Beecher

In Italy tradition dictates that you eat pork and lentils on new year’s eve (Festa di San Silverstro). The pork symbolizes the richness of life and the lentils symbolize money or good fortune. The lentils are usually served after dinner, in fact after dessert and should be eaten with your hands if possible. The more you eat the more luck and prosperity you will have. If you can’t get your hands on cooked lentils, you can also fill your purse/wallet with uncooked ones.

Wearing red underwear and throwing old belongings out the window at midnight (out with the old, in with the new, year) is also considered to bring luck.

Happy New Year to all South Africans celebrating in all four corners of the globe! May 2010 be all that you wish for.