Traditions that bring good luck
In Italian households, the Cenone di San Silvestro, a festive dinner in honour of St. Silvester, is prepared on the eve of Capodanno and celebrates the arrival of the New Year. A key part of the menu is:
- Lentils (lenticchia): a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Its round shape resembles a coin, and the more you eat, the more good fortune awaits you.
- Zampone or cotechino: Pork leg or sausage with aromatic spices. Pork symbolizes abundance and slow progress for the better.
Dinner is often followed by a toast of prosecco or sparkling wine while families wait for midnight.if someone dips their finger in prosecco and then rubs it behind your ear, know that it's not a weirdo but an Italian wishing you a happy new year.
Red underwear
One of the most original customs is the wearing of red underwear to ensure good luck in love and bring passion into the New Year. This tradition, full of playfulness and optimism, comes from ancient pagan rituals when the colour red represented protection and strength. However, to make up for this, these undergarments must be thrown away as soon as January 1.
Fireworks and breaking the old
At the stroke of midnight, Italian cities come alive with fireworks. People believe that the noisy explosion drives away evil spirits and brings about a new beginning. In some regions, such as Naples, it is customary to get rid of old things by throwing them out of the windows - symbolically throwing away anything no longer needed in the New Year.
New Year's kiss under the mistletoe
Lovers exchange a kiss under the mistletoe, a symbol of good luck and fertility, at midnight. This act is meant to strengthen their love and bring harmony to their relationship.
Italy in the glow of the New Year celebrations
Every Italian city has its own celebrations. In Rome, people gather in the Piazza del Popolo for concerts and spectacular fireworks displays. Venice attracts a romantic atmosphere in St Mark's Square, while Florence comes alive with live music and street festivities.
More Capodanno superstitions and traditions
- The first person Italians meet on the street at midnight is very important. A good sign is if they meet an old man or a hunchback. An old man promises a long life and a hunchback brings good luck. If they meet a child or a priest first, they will be unlucky in the new year.
- On New Year's Day in Italy, it is customary to leave the house with money in your pocket, as this brings good luck and promises wealth for the new year.
- If Italians eat a pomegranate with their counterpart, they can expect a year full of devotion.
And we, as Italians do, wish you "Buon anno!" - a Happy New Year!
