Ano Novo

Ano Novo falls on 1 January and is a public holiday in both Brazil and Portugal. In Brazil, the day often begins late, after Réveillon parties and midnight fireworks, but beaches can still be busy by morning. People greet each other with “Feliz Ano Novo!” and many keep wearing white, a color strongly associated with New Year’s celebrations in Brazil. On the coast, a common ritual is to step into the sea and jump seven waves while making wishes for the months ahead. In coastal Portugal, some people also mark the date with a first swim of the year, even in the cold Atlantic, before meeting relatives for a long lunch.

Food on 1 January is tied to ideas of luck as much as convenience. In Brazil, family lunches often include lentils, said to bring prosperity, along with rice, farofa, salads, and roast pork or pernil; many people avoid chicken because it is thought to scratch backward. Leftover sparkling wine and panettone from the night before may reappear on the table. In Portugal, the meal is usually quieter than Christmas but still family-centered, and holiday sweets such as bolo-rei may still be served. Through the afternoon, people visit grandparents, nap after lunch, stroll along the seafront, or return to the beach before the first sunset of the year.

The pack has 36 words spread across these domains.