In Italy, lentils traditionally symbolize prosperity when eaten around New Year's Eve.
Their round, coin-like shape is associated with money, so eating lentils is thought to invite financial good fortune in the coming year. They are commonly served with cotechino or zampone, traditional pork dishes, especially in northern and central Italian celebrations.
The symbolism reflects a wider New Year's pattern in which foods stand for hopes for the future. Lentils are valued not because they predict wealth scientifically, but because their appearance and abundance make them an easy prosperity symbol in festive folklore.
Regional menus differ throughout Italy, and not every household follows the same ritual. The association is nevertheless widely recognized, while other foods carry different meanings: grapes, pomegranates, and round sweets can also represent abundance or luck in various cultures.