The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM

FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE NEW YEAR, GREEK WOMEN
BAKE A RING OF BREAD CALLED VASILOPITA. THEY PUT
A COIN IN THE BREAD BEFORE IT IS TO BE BAKED.
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, WHEN THE BREAD IS CUT AND DISTRIBUTED,
THE PERSON WHO HAS THE COIN IN HIS PIECE OF BREAD
WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK ALL YEAR LONG.

Submitter comment: FINDING THE COIN IS TRULY A BELIEF OF GOOD LUCK.
IT HAS BEEN A GOOD LUCK SYMBOL IN THE GREEK HOME
FOR MANY YEARS.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: CA00001968