10 New Year’s Day Superstitions from Around the World
Whether you’re looking for love, wealth, or just a fresh start, cultures across the globe have spent centuries perfecting the art of "starting the year right." From what you wear to how you step into a room, here are ten fascinating traditions to help you manifest your best year yet.
1. The Midnight Smooch
It’s the classic New Year’s Eve trope, but it’s rooted in deep history. Historians believe the midnight kiss stems from ancient festivities like the Roman festival of Saturnalia and the Viking tradition of Hogmanay. Folklore suggests that kissing a loved one at the stroke of midnight ensures your bond stays strong for the next 365 days.
2. Practice "First-Footing"
In Scotland, the "First-Foot" is the first person to cross your threshold after the clock strikes twelve. This visitor is said to set the tone for your household’s luck. To maximize your fortune, tradition says you should hope for a tall, dark-haired man to be the first to walk through the door!
3. Become an Early Bird
If your resolution is to be more productive, look to Poland for inspiration. Polish tradition suggests that waking up early on New Year’s Day sets a precedent for the rest of the year. If you can manage to beat the sun on January 1st, you’ll find it easy to be a morning person all year long.
4. Lead with Your Right Foot
In Argentina (and several other cultures), the way you physically enter the year matters. To ensure "everything goes right," make sure your first step after midnight is taken with your right foot. It’s a literal way to start the year on the right footing!
5. Clean Your House (Before Midnight)
In China and many Latin American countries, cleaning the house is a symbolic way to sweep away the negativity of the previous year. By clearing out the dust and clutter, you’re making physical and spiritual room for new blessings to arrive.
6. The "No Chores" Rule
Wait—didn't we just say to clean? Not so fast! Some superstitions warn against cleaning specifically on New Year's Day. The belief is that sweeping or washing dishes on January 1st might "wash away" a loved one or sweep out the good luck you just invited in. Consider this your official hall pass to skip the laundry for a day.
7. Stock the Pantry
Starting the year with empty cupboards is often seen as an omen for a year of scarcity. To ensure a year of abundance and "plenty," many cultures believe you should fill your fridge and pantry to the brim before the clock strikes midnight.
8. Eat in Circles
In many cultures, the shape of your food represents the "full circle" of life and luck. From donuts and bagels to Bundt cakes, ring-shaped foods are a must. In Greece, families bake Vasilopita, a sweet bread containing a hidden coin. If you find the coin in your slice, you’ve secured the title of the luckiest person in the room!
9. Carry Some Cold, Hard Cash
Want a prosperous bank account? Don't start the year with an empty wallet. Legend has it that keeping cash in your purse or wallet at midnight attracts wealth for the months to follow. It’s also the perfect time to settle small debts so you can enter the New Year with a clean financial slate.
10. Dress Your Under-Layers
In Mexico and across Latin America, the color of your underwear is the ultimate New Year's "cheat code." Stores stock up on specific colors to help shoppers manifest their goals:
- Red: To attract passion and romance.
- Yellow: To bring in wealth and success.
- White: To invite peace and harmony.
Namaste,
Lizz