Social media has once again dug something from the past and made it go viral all over the world. And this time it is an age old tradition followed by a select few. Videos have been doing rounds on the internet of people explaining how eating 12 grapes, one for each month of the year, on New Year eve, can help others manifest and achieve all their dreams and wishes.
While some people say that these grapes should be eaten within 12 seconds, one with every tick of the clock, others say that they can be eaten in 12 minutes.
An age-old Spanish tradition
(Image: Canva AI)
The tradition of eating 12 grapes on New Year to mark the good luck for the next 12 months to come is a part of Spanish tradition and dates back to the 19th century. It is believed that each grape is a symbol of a wish or a resolution that people take for the 12 months ahead, and as the clock strikes midnight, they eat one grape with each chime of the bell, aligning their wishes with the arrival of the New Year.
In traditional thought, this ritual is a way to invite good fortune and prosperity into a person’s life, be it good luck for the year or finding love.
A small twist to find love
A small twist in the classic grape-eating tradition, that has gone viral on social media, is that people are supposed to eat 12 grapes while sitting under a table. Many claim that this will increase their chances of finding true love in the New Year, and as each grape represents a particular month, people say it is best to manifest things like getting to know the other person, a great friendship between the two, the friendship turns to love, and more, in the following months.
An example in ‘Modern Family’
One of the most beloved sitcoms, even for Indians, is ‘Modern Family’. And in the show there was ‘Gloria’, played by Sofia Vergara, who also furthered this tradition.
In one of the episodes, Gloria tells Manny (her husband) about the importance of eating 12 grapes just as the clock strikes midnight. She explains how a year ago she was a single mother living in a shady neighbourhood, but when she did the 12-grape tradition, she was now living a much better, wealthy life.
How does it work?
Well, there is no scientific explanation as to how eating 12 grapes can help people achieve their dreams. But, it is all rooted in manifesting rituals and the belief of attracting good things. When the clock starts striking 12, people eat one grape for each chime, making a wish with every grape. When people align their thoughts and desires with the ritual, and when they eat each grape as a wish that they hope to achieve, they send out a certain energy into the universe, one of hope and positivity, that finds its way back to them.
How does this manifestation work?
A very popular form of manifestation also comes through drinking water. Many people believe that if they charge their water with affirmations and wishes, and then drink that water sip by sip, there is a certain power in the water that soon helps them align their goals and dreams. And in a similar way, when people believe in this ritual, they charge these grapes with energy by speaking affirmations or their wishes into the grapes. And when they eat them, these dreams and desires soon turn to reality.
A rule to look out for
In between all the viral videos and old sayings, some mention a certain rule to look out for. A few people claim that it is very important that the grapes should taste sweet or neutral, and should not be sour at all.
It is believed that sweet grapes will improve the positive energy of the tradition, and will ensure sweetness in life in the coming year. But, if the grapes turn out to be sour, it could indicate an unpleasant year and relationships ahead.
