Ritual Food at 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 subject to strict rules, often of pre-Christian origin. Classification by Functions and Symbolism 1. Dishes-Symbols of Wealth and Prosperity They are united by visual or etymological similarity to currency symbols, 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 "fish" (yu) is homonymous with the word "excess". The fish (nián nián yú yú) is not eaten to the end so that "excess" will pass into the new year. In Poland or Slovakia, herring in various forms is a symbol of moderation, but also of abundance. Pomegranate (Greece, Turkey, Caucasus): On the first day of the new year, a pomegranate is broken at the entrance to the house: the more seeds scatter, the more abundance will be in the year. The seeds are also added to salads. This is a symbol of fertility, prosperity, and the abundance of blessings. Round dishes (circles, wreaths): In Northern European countries, ring-shaped bread and cookies (kransekake in Norway, Christmas wreath from dough in Germany) are baked. The circle is a symbol of cy ... Read more