New Year's Traditions & Superstitions

A new year signals renewal and a fresh start. Many people make resolutions for themselves to make positive changes to their life. Other people believe in superstitions that will help bring them luck in the new year.

Here are some of the more common superstitions associated with the New Year’s holiday.

One of the most popular and commonly recognized superstitions is kissing loved ones at the stroke of midnight. This is done to ensure that the affection and ties with those we love will continue throughout the coming year. Not kissing our loved ones may set the stage for a year of coldness.

The food we eat on New Year’s Day may bring us luck and fortune during the year. Black-eyed peas, greens, and pork are said to bring prosperity and wealth to those who eat them. Avoid eating chicken, however, as it is said to bring bad luck. Finally, don’t clear your plate on New Year’s Day. Leave a bite of food on your plate to ensure you’ll have food on your plate throughout the year.

Stock up on food and money for New Year’s Day. Full pantries and wallets on New Year’s will ensure they stay full throughout the year.

Make sure all debts and bills are paid off by January 1, otherwise you will be paying back debt all year long. Don’t pay any bills or give out money on New Year’s Day, however, or else you might be paying out all year.

Wearing brand new clothes on New Year’s means that you will have new clothes throughout the year. Don’t wash any clothes, or dishes, however, or else you may cause a death in the family.

At midnight, open all windows and doors in the house to let the old year old and make way for the new year.

Make lots of noises at midnight not only to celebrate but to scare away any evil spirits.

Don’t cry on New Year’s Day or else you may have sadness all year long.

Try not to break anything on New Year’s Day because it might bring bad luck.

The weather in the early hours of the new year may predict the forecast of the weather for the whole year. A day without wind will bring a dry summer and joy and prosperity throughout the year. A windy day will bring a rainy summer and floods will occur if it is extremely windy. Wind from the south will bring good weather throughout the year, while wind from the north means there will be bad weather. Wind from the east will bring famine and disasters, while wind from the west will bring bounty, but mean that an important person may die.

The first footer is the first person to enter your home after the stroke of midnight. This person determines what kind of year you will have. For good luck, the first footer should be male and should have dark hair, or else you may have back luck during the coming year. The first footer, also called the “lucky bird” should not use a key to get in, but should knock and be let inside instead.

Finally, it is believed that babies born on the first day of the New Year will have good luck in their life and bring good luck to the family they are born in.

Whether or not you believe in superstitions, may you have a happy and healthy New Year!