In Japan, there is a tradition of eating soba noodles (buckwheat noodles) before midnight on New Year's Eve.
The long shape of the noodle symbolises the crossing of one year into the next. Soba noodles are also easy to cut, symbolising the letting-go of the regrets and hardships of the past year and welcoming the journey ahead.
The buckwheat plant is also known to survive severe weather during its growth period, therefore soba represents strength and resilience.
This practice was believed to have started during the Edo period.
This is certainly one way to remain 'soba' for the New Year!
* Post inspired by a New Year's Eve episode from Midnight Diner: Tokyo Diaries *
No comments:
Post a Comment