The origins of centuries-old “lucky” food traditions can be traced back to superstition, legends, and history. In China, for example, the Lunar New Year is the most important holiday of the year. Everyone needs to be together, with people returning to their hometowns to participate in the festivities. The meal’s popularity has been sustained by its ability to bring people together. Past, present, and future are all celebrated in this event. There’s nothing better than a big family get-together to eat some delicious food. As a result of Chinese cuisine’s emphasis on communal dining and the abundance of dishes served at the dinner table, dining in China is highly social.

A whole chicken must be served to symbolize family unity and togetherness, and entire roasted animals represent fidelity. It is also customary to eat sweet, steaming cakes to commemorate family reunions, as the cakes’ sweetness means a whole, precious life.

Events are defined by the food served at them. People can identify themselves through their food and the symbols that accompany it. Celebratory meals are a component of human culture as long as people link food to their emotions and sense of self. However, tradition and history also play a significant role. As a result of fasting periods, many religious traditions emphasize the consumption of “celebration” foods at the end, such as bread and wine. Shrove Tuesday pancakes were first eaten to get rid of excess food before the Christian fasting period known as Lent began. Easter food, too, evolved in the same manner.

During Medieval England, Easter fell at the end of what was referred to as “the hungry month” – a fasting period. A symbol of the lamb of God could be obtained for those who wanted it. After their rebirth and immortality had been brought back to life by the resurrection of the hens. During Henry VIII’s reign, fasting became more about promoting trade with “fish days” after the Church of England was separated from the Catholic Church. Even in England, where the Reformation took place, these practices were still prevalent.

It wasn’t until the 1870s that chocolate eggs were introduced—many religious “giving up” ended in the 18th and 19th centuries. The festive season became a time of year in which families used up what they couldn’t save for the new year. Nowadays, eating certain foods is essentially a matter of “grocery store marketing” rather than a matter of religious belief, according to an article in the New York Times.