South Carolinians are superstitious about a variety of things, but seldom does food come into play. Yet, there’s one day a year that we’ll pull out all of the stops to make sure to have all the bases covered. On New Year’s Day, many South Carolinians will go to great lengths to ensure they have wealth, luck and happiness in the coming year. Like many other Southerners, New Year’s superstition in South Carolina plays a big role in how the upcoming year will unfold, and if you’ve never adhered to these superstitions before, you might want to think about it this upcoming New Year’s.

The “ritual” starts with blackeyed peas served with rice, although some use “field peas.”

Wikimedia Commons/Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) The peas are said to represent coins and prosperity in the coming year.

Some people even dress the dish up with some other veggies.

Wikimedia Commons/srjenkins However you make them, the blackeyed peas and rice are said to bring you luck in the coming year. I could use all the luck I can get, I don’t know about you.

The second food that is always served with the peas and rice is a big heaping serving of collard greens.

Flickr/Overduebook Aside from just being plain healthy for you, the collards bring more wealth in the coming year, mainly because of their green color. It represents the color of money.

Cornbread is added to the plate on some tables.

Flickr/Theryn Fleming It represents the color of gold. I could use some gold in 2017. How about you?

A couple of fun facts I rounded up from the Wikipedia page for Hoppin Johns (the meal featured above):

Wikimedia Commons/Bubba73 (Jud McCranie)

The peas are said to represent coins and prosperity in the coming year.

Wikimedia Commons/srjenkins

However you make them, the blackeyed peas and rice are said to bring you luck in the coming year. I could use all the luck I can get, I don’t know about you.

Flickr/Overduebook

Aside from just being plain healthy for you, the collards bring more wealth in the coming year, mainly because of their green color. It represents the color of money.

Flickr/Theryn Fleming

It represents the color of gold. I could use some gold in 2017. How about you?

  • It’s believed that Hoppin Johns as we know it were introduced in America in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and then spread to other southern states.
  • On January 2, the leftovers of Hoppin’ Johns are called “Skippin’ Jenny.” It’s also good luck to eat Skippin’ Jenny leftovers because it represents your willingness to be frugal in the coming year.

There you have it. Your menu for New Year’s Day is all set. Enjoy this traditional South Carolina superstitious meal and have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

For more food fun, These 11 Iconic Foods In South Carolina Will Have Your Mouth Watering.

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Address: South Carolina, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

New Year’s Superstition In South Carolina November 10, 2019 Marisa Roman Are there any other superstitions in South Carolina? In the South, there are plenty of superstitions that people follow in order to bring health, wealth, luck, and happiness into their lives. These South Carolina traditions don’t just happen to take place on New Year’s Day, but instead, are followed all year long. Growing up in South Carolina means you were likely introduced to a few traditions and superstitions over the years, many of which you still abide by today. A few of the superstitions in South Carolina that many residents will be familiar with include a dropped dishrag on the floor meant visitors were coming, always scratching your palm with something wooden in order to come into money, and hanging a hairpin on a rusty nail in order for your wish to come true. What are the most popular traditions in South Carolina? Many Southerns abide by traditions that their state honors, whether they realize it or not. There are plenty of South Carolina traditions that residents likely participate in without even recognizing that they’re state-specific traditions. Traditions can often be as simple as going to the football game every week during the season, or as frequent as giving a silver spoon to a newborn baby as a gift. A few other South Carolina traditions include family meals on Sundays, the groom always having a chocolate cake, rubbing a chicken bone on warts, or bringing food to a family who recently lost someone. What is the most bizarre superstition in South Carolina? Outside of the seemingly normal South Carolina superstitions, there are a few wacky ones that residents seem to follow, too. The thing about superstitions is that despite how zany and bizarre they may be, people believe they must follow them in order to avoid bad luck, health, or otherwise. A few of the most bizarre superstitions in South Carolina include throwing a kiss at a red bird in order to see your sweetheart within an hour, throwing an old white shoe at a bride and groom to see if they’ll have a happy marriage, or sleeping on a piece of wedding cake in order to dream about the one you’re going to marry.

The OIYS Visitor Center

New Year’s Superstition In South Carolina

November 10, 2019

Marisa Roman

Are there any other superstitions in South Carolina? In the South, there are plenty of superstitions that people follow in order to bring health, wealth, luck, and happiness into their lives. These South Carolina traditions don’t just happen to take place on New Year’s Day, but instead, are followed all year long. Growing up in South Carolina means you were likely introduced to a few traditions and superstitions over the years, many of which you still abide by today. A few of the superstitions in South Carolina that many residents will be familiar with include a dropped dishrag on the floor meant visitors were coming, always scratching your palm with something wooden in order to come into money, and hanging a hairpin on a rusty nail in order for your wish to come true. What are the most popular traditions in South Carolina? Many Southerns abide by traditions that their state honors, whether they realize it or not. There are plenty of South Carolina traditions that residents likely participate in without even recognizing that they’re state-specific traditions. Traditions can often be as simple as going to the football game every week during the season, or as frequent as giving a silver spoon to a newborn baby as a gift. A few other South Carolina traditions include family meals on Sundays, the groom always having a chocolate cake, rubbing a chicken bone on warts, or bringing food to a family who recently lost someone. What is the most bizarre superstition in South Carolina? Outside of the seemingly normal South Carolina superstitions, there are a few wacky ones that residents seem to follow, too. The thing about superstitions is that despite how zany and bizarre they may be, people believe they must follow them in order to avoid bad luck, health, or otherwise. A few of the most bizarre superstitions in South Carolina include throwing a kiss at a red bird in order to see your sweetheart within an hour, throwing an old white shoe at a bride and groom to see if they’ll have a happy marriage, or sleeping on a piece of wedding cake in order to dream about the one you’re going to marry.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

In the South, there are plenty of superstitions that people follow in order to bring health, wealth, luck, and happiness into their lives. These South Carolina traditions don’t just happen to take place on New Year’s Day, but instead, are followed all year long. Growing up in South Carolina means you were likely introduced to a few traditions and superstitions over the years, many of which you still abide by today. A few of the superstitions in South Carolina that many residents will be familiar with include a dropped dishrag on the floor meant visitors were coming, always scratching your palm with something wooden in order to come into money, and hanging a hairpin on a rusty nail in order for your wish to come true.

What are the most popular traditions in South Carolina?

Many Southerns abide by traditions that their state honors, whether they realize it or not. There are plenty of South Carolina traditions that residents likely participate in without even recognizing that they’re state-specific traditions. Traditions can often be as simple as going to the football game every week during the season, or as frequent as giving a silver spoon to a newborn baby as a gift. A few other South Carolina traditions include family meals on Sundays, the groom always having a chocolate cake, rubbing a chicken bone on warts, or bringing food to a family who recently lost someone.

What is the most bizarre superstition in South Carolina?

Outside of the seemingly normal South Carolina superstitions, there are a few wacky ones that residents seem to follow, too. The thing about superstitions is that despite how zany and bizarre they may be, people believe they must follow them in order to avoid bad luck, health, or otherwise. A few of the most bizarre superstitions in South Carolina include throwing a kiss at a red bird in order to see your sweetheart within an hour, throwing an old white shoe at a bride and groom to see if they’ll have a happy marriage, or sleeping on a piece of wedding cake in order to dream about the one you’re going to marry.