FROM TRADITION TO TREND
The cultural orgins behind viral media trends
Next
Click on the pins to learn more about a trends cultural orgin!
Holi
India
Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, originates from traditions celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, with roots in Hindu mythology. Families and communities gather for prayer, music, and the throwing of colored powders that symbolize joy and renewal. Today, the vibrant visuals of Holi have become popular on social media and in events like "color runs," where the focus is often on aesthetics and fun. As a result, the deeper cultural and religious meaning behind the festival is sometimes overlooked
Mayak eggs/ "Courtney Cook Eggs"
Korea
Soy-marinated eggs, often referred to online as “Courtney Cook eggs,” have roots in Asian cuisines, particularly in Korea where Mayak eggs are a popular side dish eaten with rice. Traditionally made with soft-boiled eggs soaked in soy sauce, garlic and chili, the dish has long been a staple in everyday meals. Today, it has gone viral on social media under a new name, popularized by a TikTok creator and often viewed as a trendy comfort food. As a result, many people consume and share the dish without recognizing its original cultural background.
Yerba Mate
Atlantic Forest Region
Yerba mate originates from the Indigenous Guaraní people of South America, who brewed the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant into a drink shared in social and cultural rituals. Over time, the beverage spread across countries like Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, becoming a daily staple often shared from a gourd with a metal straw. Today, that centuries-old tradition has evolved into modern canned yerba mate drinks, bringing the cultural beverage to a global audience in a more convenient form.
Lunar New Year
"Don't wash your hair!"
China
The idea of not washing your hair during Lunar New Year comes from long-standing traditions across many Asian cultures, where it is believed that washing your hair on New Year’s Day can wash away good fortune. Rooted in centuries-old customs tied to luck and renewal, families often follow this practice alongside others, like cleaning the house beforehand to start the year fresh. Today, the tradition has appeared on social media as a viral trend, with creators joking about greasy hair as a way to gain luck. As it spreads online, the deeper cultural meaning behind the practice is often overlooked or misunderstood.
Evil Eye
Mediterranean
The evil eye originates from the ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern beliefs that a jealous glance could cause harm. To protect against this, people wore blue eye-shaped charms meant to reflect negative energy. Found in cultures from Greece and Turkey to the Middle East and South Asia, the symbol has deep spiritual roots. Today, it's become a social media trend, often worn as jewelry or decor to "protect your energy," sometimes without awareness of its original meaning
FROM TRADITION TO TREND
Annalise Horn
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Transcript
FROM TRADITION TO TREND
The cultural orgins behind viral media trends
Next
Click on the pins to learn more about a trends cultural orgin!
Holi
India
Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, originates from traditions celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, with roots in Hindu mythology. Families and communities gather for prayer, music, and the throwing of colored powders that symbolize joy and renewal. Today, the vibrant visuals of Holi have become popular on social media and in events like "color runs," where the focus is often on aesthetics and fun. As a result, the deeper cultural and religious meaning behind the festival is sometimes overlooked
Mayak eggs/ "Courtney Cook Eggs"
Korea
Soy-marinated eggs, often referred to online as “Courtney Cook eggs,” have roots in Asian cuisines, particularly in Korea where Mayak eggs are a popular side dish eaten with rice. Traditionally made with soft-boiled eggs soaked in soy sauce, garlic and chili, the dish has long been a staple in everyday meals. Today, it has gone viral on social media under a new name, popularized by a TikTok creator and often viewed as a trendy comfort food. As a result, many people consume and share the dish without recognizing its original cultural background.
Yerba Mate
Atlantic Forest Region
Yerba mate originates from the Indigenous Guaraní people of South America, who brewed the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant into a drink shared in social and cultural rituals. Over time, the beverage spread across countries like Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, becoming a daily staple often shared from a gourd with a metal straw. Today, that centuries-old tradition has evolved into modern canned yerba mate drinks, bringing the cultural beverage to a global audience in a more convenient form.
Lunar New Year
"Don't wash your hair!"
China
The idea of not washing your hair during Lunar New Year comes from long-standing traditions across many Asian cultures, where it is believed that washing your hair on New Year’s Day can wash away good fortune. Rooted in centuries-old customs tied to luck and renewal, families often follow this practice alongside others, like cleaning the house beforehand to start the year fresh. Today, the tradition has appeared on social media as a viral trend, with creators joking about greasy hair as a way to gain luck. As it spreads online, the deeper cultural meaning behind the practice is often overlooked or misunderstood.
Evil Eye
Mediterranean
The evil eye originates from the ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern beliefs that a jealous glance could cause harm. To protect against this, people wore blue eye-shaped charms meant to reflect negative energy. Found in cultures from Greece and Turkey to the Middle East and South Asia, the symbol has deep spiritual roots. Today, it's become a social media trend, often worn as jewelry or decor to "protect your energy," sometimes without awareness of its original meaning