Ritual Foods on the New Year's Table: The Semiotics of Food in the Context of Time Mythology Introduction: Food as a Spell for the Future Ritual New Year's dishes are not just a culinary tradition, but a complex system of food magic and symbolism aimed at programming the future through the act of consumption. At the moment of transition from old time to new, a person tries to incorporate desired qualities (wealth, health, fertility) and ward off potential threats through special food. These dishes function as edible amulets, and their preparation and consumption are governed by strict rules, often having pre-Christian origins. Classification by Functions and Symbolism 1. Dishes-Symbols of Wealth and Abundance They are united by visual or etymological similarity to money signs, grain, or wealth. Chickpeas and legumes (Italy, Brazil, Germany): The shape of chickpeas and beans resembles coins. In Italy (cotechino con lenticchie), the mandatory combination of pork sausage (a symbol of abundance from the animal) and chickpeas. Eating them means "acquiring" wealth for the year. In Brazil, the first dish of the new year is a chickpea soup or simply a plate of chickpeas. Whole fish (China, Eastern European countries): The Chinese word for "fish" (yu) is homonymous with the word "abundance". The fish (nian nian yu yu) is not eaten to the end to "transfer abundance" to the new year. In Poland or Slovakia, herring in various forms is a symbol of moderation, but also of abundance. Pomegranate (Greece, Turkey, Caucasus): At the entrance to the house on New Year's morning, a pomegranate is broken: the more seeds scatter, the more blessings there will be in the year. The seeds are also added to salads. This is a symbol of fertility, prosperity, and abundance. Circular dishes (circles, wreaths): In Northern European countries, ring-shaped breads and cookies (kransekake in Norway, Christmas wreath from dough in Germany) are baked. The circle is a symbol of cyclical time, the su ... Read more