Superstitions have been around for centuries! And no matter how much the new generations try to put them away, for people who have been following them for decades, they are an active part of their traditions and even life. In fact, so many people from the younger generations are also catching up on these superstitions, and all of it just to try their luck! The Spanish tradition for example, of eating 12 grapes under the table on New Years eve, is quickly catching up with the millennials and Gen-Zs.
The origins of New Year superstitions
Every superstition emerges as a means to either protect people from doing something or to encourage them to look out for positivity. And honestly, a lot of these have an inherent Placebo effect in them. When someone drinks warm water with lemon added to it as part of a superstition that says it will bring in good luck for them, they start to notice even the little positives in life, and just like that a superstition is forwarded!
And with New Year, as societies evolved, so did certain superstitions of that time period. Sometimes they were just to help people find love, and other times to sell the excess production of grapes of the year.
Here we mention some famous New Year superstitions from around the world.
The grapes from Spain
One of the most iconic New Year traditions in Spain is to eat twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for each chime of the clock. This tradition, known as ‘Las Doce Uvas de la Suerte’ is believed to bring good fortune for each month of the coming year.
And while people are doing it wholeheartedly today, to find love and luck, many allege that this custom was as a marketing ploy by grape farmers.
The first footing of Scotland
A famous tradition, or superstition for others, from Scotland is that the first person to enter the home after midnight is the ‘first footer’, and he or she will decide the house’s fortunes for the year.
Traditionally, a tall, dark-haired man carrying gifts like coal, bread, or whiskey is considered the ideal first footer.
Hanging onions on the doors in Greece
A famous New Year tradition in Greece is to hang onions on the doors as they are considered to be a symbol of growth, even in the toughest conditions.
It is believed that just like the onion stems sprout even when neglected, similarly, the New Year should bring power and strength to rise even in tough situations.
Don’t sweep the good luck away!
Chinese New Year, celebrated based on the lunar calendar, has a unique tradition and superstition to it. Before the New Year begins, people clean their houses head to toe and make sure that they remove and dust off any negativity and stagnancy of the past year.
But, they avoid sweeping the home after New Year, for the first few days of the year, so that they don’t accidentally sweep off the good fortune.
Ringing the bell 108 times
In Japan, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times at midnight, a tradition called ‘Joya no Kane’. Many believe that when these huge bells are rung 108 times, the vibrations produced remove any human suffering, material desires, and give the Universe a fresh start.
Breaking plates in Denmark
In Denmark, a fun superstition exists with respect to leaving behind the negativity of the previous year, and welcoming luck in the year to come.
People smash plates at their homes and in their neighbour’s homes in an attempt to drive away any evil spirits and bring luck.
Going around with a suitcase
If you wish to travel more in the coming year, Mexico might have the perfect tradition for you!
In Colombia, Mexico, and many other countries, people who wish to travel more in the coming year take an empty suitcase, and walk around the block with it just after the clock strikes 12.
