Happy New Year and Good Luck!

Five Common New Year’s Eve Superstitions

Photo by Logan Voss on Unsplash

New Year’s Eve is an event joyously celebrated all over the world. We get to leave the past year behind and look forward to a bright future and a clean slate. Of course we want all the help we can get to make the new year as prosperous and cheerful as possible. One way to do this is through the popular method of superstitions. Here are a few superstitions that people enjoy according to Country Living and The Maids.

1. Don’t clean your house

Need an excuse to avoid cleaning up? Cleaning your house on New Year’s Day washes away good luck you may have for the new year. The Chinese have believed that sweeping on New Year’s Day erases good fortune for centuries. If you think this superstition is messy, South African superstition takes “no cleaning” to a whole new level. They believe in starting fresh by throwing random items out their windows. 

2. 12 grapes

Make sure to eat your 12 grapes for the 12 bells! The 12 grapes is a popular tradition in which you eat one grape per toll of the midnight bell. This tradition originated in Spain where people believed that eating all dozen grapes will bring good luck for the coming year. Another interpretation of this tradition requires you to eat the grapes under the table, which symbolizes good luck in love for the new year. 

3. Make loud noises

Get out your party blowers and set off those fireworks! Joyous noise has always been a tradition for New Year’s celebrations and it is for good reason. Making loud noises is not only fun but also said to ward off any evil spirits that may be roaming about on New Year’s Eve. Feel free to scream “Happy New Year” at the top of your lungs! You might just save your luck.

4. No lobster or chicken

If lobster is part of your New Year’s Eve dinner plans, you may want to make some changes. Since lobsters move backwards, some cultures believe that eating lobster on New Year's Eve will bring misfortune in the coming year. Similarly, chicken is also to be avoided because your luck will fly away with the chicken since chickens have wings. Steer clear of these two dishes if you want to ensure that your good fortune will not escape your grasp.

5. Open the front door at midnight

Ready to welcome the new year? Opening your door at midnight signifies letting out the old and bringing in the new. In addition, the first person to walk through your open door says a lot about your luck for the coming year. In Scotland, it is said that this person must also bring you a gift when they enter. So fling those doors open this New Year’s!

Superstitions provide not only entertainment but also a great way to start the year with a fresh mind and dash of good luck. If you follow these fun traditions, you are sure to have a great new year!