Lentils traditionally symbolize prosperity in Italy on New Year's Eve.
Their small, round shape resembles coins, so eating lentils is associated with financial abundance in the coming year. They are commonly served around New Year's alongside cotechino, a seasoned pork sausage, or zampone, a stuffed pig's trotter. Pork itself can symbolize progress and abundance because a pig pushes forward while rooting for food.
The meal is especially associated with Italian New Year's customs, though exact menus differ by region and family. Lentils may be served as a stew or side dish rather than as a single standardized national recipe.
This tradition is sometimes confused with other New Year's foods that represent money, such as black-eyed peas in the southern United States. The common element is symbolism, not a scientific claim that a particular food causes wealth. In Italy, the lentil's coin-like appearance is the key association.