In Japan, a rice porridge with seven herbs is eaten on January 7th.
It is believed that in earlier times eating seven-herb porridge was said to ward off evil spirits and prevent a variety of illnesses.
Can you name all seven herbs?
When I was a first grader in elementary school, after winter break in addition to my other homework I remember my teacher writing down a memo in my take-home journal to name all seven of the herbs.
After so much time has passed, I find myself thinking that even though I could easily name all seven herbs when January 7th had already passed, now it is something I can’t easily say off the top of my head.
The herbs are: Japanese parsley, shepherd’s purse, cudweed, chickweed, nipplewort, turnip, and radish.
Each of the seven herbs has its own meaning:
Japanese parsley: Winning in competitions or games
Shepherd’s purse: Removal of dirt through brushing
Cudweed: Buddha
Chickweed: Prosperity for one’s Descendents
Nipplewort: The Reclining Buddha
Turnip: A Bell for Calling the Gods
Radish: Undefiled Purity
In this way, we pray for good health with each of the seven herbs. They are also a prayer for warding off evil spirits.
Of course, it is always full of vitamins, so it is recommended as a way to soothe your exhausted stomach after too much eating and drinking on New Years.