The act of throwing rice at newlyweds today is really an ancient ritual that originally symbolized fertility and the blessing of many children. These days, the rice we throw symbolizes prosperity and abundance.

As such an important and ubiquitous staple, it’s no surprise that legends, fables and beliefs about rice abound in countries and cultures around the globe.

In China, instead of asking “How are you?”, a typical greeting inquires “Have you had your rice today?” Quitting or losing a job is called “breaking the rice bowl.” Want to insult someone in China? Just pick up their rice bowl and spill the contents on the ground. In some parts of the country, a wooden bowl of rice is placed on an altar dedicated to family ancestors to bring good luck for the New Year. A compress of brown rice, ginger and liquor is still used as a remedy for everything from aching joints to upset stomachs.

In Japan, the word for “cooked rice” is the same as the word for “meal.” Legend has it that soaking rice before cooking frees its life energy, giving those who eat it a more powerful soul. Rice fields in Japan are sometimes given names—as if they were people.

In India, rice is the first meal a new bride offers her husband. It’s also the first meal offered to a newborn. An Indian proverb says that grains of rice should be like two brothers—close but not stuck together.

In Indonesia, no girl can be considered for marriage until she can skillfully prepare rice. Rice barns are holy places where the rice spirit resides until the next planting or harvest. To accommodate such a supernatural entity, these barns are often beautifully carved and decorated. There are strict rules about who may enter the barn and how it must be done. Entry is permitted to women only, and only one visit is allowed each day.