Have you ever wondered why some folks get all weird about eating chicken when January 1st rolls around? Turns out, this ain’t just some random food preference – it’s a full-blown superstition with deep cultural roots! As someone who’s been fascinated by food traditions for years, I decided to dig into this peculiar custom that keeps poultry off many New Year’s Day tables.
The Backwards-Scratching Curse
The main reason behind the “no chicken on New Year’s” rule is actually pretty simple when you break it down. It’s all about symbolism and direction.
Chickens scratch backwards in the dirt when they’re looking for food. This backward movement is considered symbolic of regression or moving in the wrong direction – definitely not the vibe you want when starting a fresh year!
As the superstition goes, if you eat chicken on New Year’s Day, you might spend the upcoming year
- “Scratching in the dirt” for your living
- Struggling financially
- Moving backward instead of forward
- Experiencing setbacks rather than progress
My grandma used to tell me “You don’t wanna be pecking around like a chicken all year. do you?” And honestly who does?
Not Just Chicken – All Poultry Is Problematic
While chicken gets the most attention, this superstition actually extends to all poultry. Turkey, duck, goose – if it’s got wings and scratches in the dirt, traditionalists say it should stay off your New Year’s plate.
The taboo applies to:
- Chicken (in any form – fried, roasted, in soup)
- Turkey
- Duck
- Goose
- Any other birds that scratch backward
The Cultural Origins: Where Did This Come From?
This superstition doesn’t have a single clear origin – it seems to have emerged independently in different cultures around the world. However, it’s especially prevalent in:
- The American South – Where it’s part of a whole system of New Year’s food traditions
- European countries – Including Italy and Germany
- Various other cultures worldwide
Some trace the Southern U.S. version back to the Civil War era, when eating chicken was associated with poverty. Others suggest it evolved naturally from agricultural societies where people observed the backward-scratching behavior of chickens and attached symbolic meaning to it.
What Should You Eat Instead? The Lucky Foods
So if chicken is off the menu, what should you be eating to ring in good fortune? Turns out, there’s plenty of “lucky” alternatives that are supposed to bring prosperity and good vibes:
Pork: The Forward-Moving Alternative
Pork is considered especially lucky because pigs root forward when foraging for food. This forward motion symbolizes progress – exactly what we want in a new year!
As my uncle always says, “Go HAM on New Year’s – literally!”
Other Lucky New Year’s Foods:
| Food | Symbolism | Cultural Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Black-eyed peas | Coins/prosperity | Southern US |
| Greens (collards, kale) | Paper money/wealth | Southern US |
| Cornbread | Gold/wealth | Southern US |
| Lentils | Coins/prosperity | Italian |
| Fish (that swim forward) | Progress/abundance | Various |
| Grapes (12) | Luck for each month | Spanish |
More Foods to Avoid Besides Chicken
Chicken isn’t the only food that’s considered unlucky on New Year’s Day. According to these superstitions, you should also avoid:
- Lobster and crab – They move sideways or backward, symbolizing setbacks
- Bottom-feeding fish – Like catfish, shrimp, or scallops – representing “living off scraps”
- Beef – Some traditions say cows eat standing still, and no one wants to be stagnant
How Seriously Is This Taken Today?
In modern times, adherence to this superstition varies widely. Some families still strictly avoid chicken on New Year’s, while others might acknowledge the tradition but not follow it rigidly.
I personally know people who won’t touch chicken with a ten-foot pole on January 1st, and others who’ll happily munch on chicken wings while watching football without a second thought.
The taboo seems to be fading somewhat with globalization, but it remains ingrained in many cultural traditions – especially in the American South where New Year’s food traditions are taken quite seriously.
Other New Year’s Food Superstitions
While we’re talking about food superstitions, here are some other interesting New Year’s food customs:
- Don’t do dishes or laundry – You might “wash away” good luck
- Keep your cupboards full – To ensure abundance throughout the year
- Don’t cry – Or you’ll be crying all year
- Don’t hand anyone a knife directly – It cuts your relationship
- Wear yellow or red underwear – For prosperity or finding love (seriously!)
What Happens If You Accidentally Eat Chicken?
Don’t panic! If you’ve accidentally consumed chicken on New Year’s Day, you’re not doomed to a year of misfortune. These are traditions based on symbolism, not hard-and-fast rules of the universe.
My neighbor once realized halfway through her New Year’s lunch that she was eating chicken salad – she immediately spit it out and grabbed some pork rinds instead! Was that necessary? Probably not, but superstitions have a funny way of sticking with us.
My Take on the Tradition
Personally, I find these food traditions fascinating even if I don’t strictly follow all of them. There’s something comforting about participating in customs that connect us to our cultural heritage and to generations past.
Do I believe eating chicken on New Year’s will actually cause me to struggle financially? Not really. But will I still make sure to serve pork and black-eyed peas instead? You bet!
It’s kind of like not walking under ladders or throwing salt over your shoulder – we might not fully believe in these superstitions, but why take the chance?
The Modern Twist: Alternatives for Chicken Lovers
If you’re really craving chicken but don’t want to risk the bad luck, here are some alternatives:
- Try Buffalo cauliflower “wings”
- Make tempeh “wings” with Buffalo sauce
- Use mushrooms to create vegan “chicken” dishes
- Just wait until January 2nd!
Final Thoughts: Tradition vs. Superstition
Whether you choose to avoid chicken on New Year’s Day or not, understanding the tradition gives us insight into how humans create meaning through food. These customs remind us that eating isn’t just about nutrition – it’s about culture, community, and carrying forward traditions.
So this New Year’s, will you be skipping the chicken? Or are you brave enough to tempt fate with some fried chicken while welcoming in the new year?
Whatever you choose, may your year be filled with progress, prosperity, and plenty of delicious meals – chicken or otherwise!
Do you follow any food superstitions on New Year’s Day? Share your traditions in the comments below!
Don’t Do Those Dishes
Or take out the trash, or wash your clothes, or sweep your house… as the superstition goes, if you do, you might accidentally wash good luck and loved ones out of your life. Other beliefs state that whatever you do on New Years is what youll be doing the rest of the year.
We dont know about you, but well take any excuse to not to the dishes, and were definitely not trying to bring more hard work in for next year either. Save the cleaning for later and relax this New Years instead.
In Chinese tradition, white is an unlucky color because it symbolizes death, so all white foods are out for the celebration. Tofu, eggs, rice, cauliflower, white cheeses—say goodbye to them for the night. Instead, fill your New Years table with other colorful foods. Greens of all kinds are said to bring wealth into your life, while anything yellow (think cornbread or lemon curd) is supposed to foretell prosperity and happiness. Oranges are supposed to bring good luck and fortune as well, so load up on citrus too.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Avoid Lobster, Crab & Other Crustaceans
If you dont want to experience major setbacks next year, youre going to want to avoid eating crab, lobster, and other crustaceans this New Years. Thats because these creatures move backward or side to side instead of forward.
Dont worry, though, you can still get your seafood fix—just swap in for any fish that swims forward, like salmon or tuna. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Happy New Years Eve!!! ✨️#animation #newyearseve
FAQ
Can you eat chicken on New Year’s Eve?
Yes, eating chicken on New Year’s Eve is considered bad luck. From roast chicken to chicken wings and turkey, you should avoid all poultry on New Year’s. This also applies to New Year’s Day. If you’re a huge fan of chicken, if there are two days in the year when you should go ‘cold turkey’ (excuse the pun), then it’s these two days.
Does eating chicken bring bad luck?
It’s long been believed that eating chicken – or any fowl really – will bring bad luck. This is because birds scratch around in the dirt, and also because they scratch while moving backward. These are two things that symbolize moving backward, not forward, which is symbolic for the year ahead.
Should you eat chicken if you’re superstitious?
But if you’re superstitious and looking to go into the new year with every possible edge – you really shouldn’t. It’s long been believed that eating chicken – or any fowl really – will bring bad luck. This is because birds scratch around in the dirt, and also because they scratch while moving backward.
Can you eat pigs on New Year’s Eve?
There are a number of lucky foods to choose from. St. Louis Magazine explains that eating pork has the opposite effect of eating chicken because pigs move forward while scrounging around for food. If you overindulge on the champagne on New Year’s Eve, it’s entirely possible that you’ll wake up on New Year’s day with a holiday hangover.
What should you eat on New Year’s Eve?
You could pile your New Year’s plate with legumes, greens, cabbage, and pork, all of which are considered luck-attracting foods. Happy (and lucky) New Year! When it comes to planning a New Year’s Eve or Day dinner, you probably want to avoid anything with chicken since it can be considered bad luck.
Should you eat 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve?
Eating 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve is said to bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year. Now you know what you should and should not eat this New Year’s Eve if you want to give yourself the best possible good fortune for the next year. Chicken is firmly off the menu.
Why can’t you eat chicken on new year’s?
According to a friends mom, it is bad luck to eat chicken on New Year’s Day, because they scratch backwards and if you do you’ll be going backwards all year long. You must eat pork, because pigs root forward with their snouts.
What does the chicken mean in new year?
The chicken (雞/鸡; jī) should be served whole with the head and the feet attached. This connotes unity and a good marriage between families. Some believe that chicken during the new year also represents rebirth.
What is not allowed on new year’s Day?
Don’t Eat Lobster, Crab or Chicken – Lobsters walk backwards; crabs walk sideways; and because chickens have wings, your good luck could “fly away.” Thought: Stick with the pig because he always moves forward – plus, I have a delicious pork chop recipe!
Why are you supposed to eat pork on new year’s Day instead of chicken?
Why You Eat Pork on New Years Day It’s bad luck to eat chicken on New Year’s Day, because they scratch backwards. If you eat chicken you’ll be going backwards all year long. Eat pork, because pigs root forward with their snouts, and you’ll move forward all year long.