Folklore and superstitions surrounding New Year’s Day have spread across the world and transcended centuries. Therefore, some of the most popular New Year’s superstitions-some of which you may never even have heard of.
Spain – Take a dozen grapes
When it’s midnight on New Year’s Eve, Spaniards are traditionally required to eat 12 green grapes, one for each strike of the clock – if you can finish them in time, you’ll have luck throughout the year. Spain suffered a bumper grape harvest in 1909 when its main wine-growing region, Alicante, experienced a bountiful harvest. As you complete your new year’s celebration, toast it with cava, a sparkling Spanish wine.
Keeping bad thoughts at bay – Nigeria
The country of Nigeria is home to people of many different ethnic groups and religious traditions. New Year’s Eve is an essential holiday for Nigerians regardless of their faith, as they gather in their local churches, mosques, and shrines to confess any wrongs they committed during the previous year. Many people return from the cities where they work or even abroad for the upcoming New Year’s festivities.
Mexico – Put a ring on it
The celebration of New Year’s Eve in Mexico takes place at the stroke of midnight with a glass of bubbly, as in many other countries. Including a gold ring on the bottom of the glass before toasting with Salud is a unique tradition that Latinos have inherited from the Spanish” to attract prosperity.
Ecuador and Panama – burn a scarecrow
There is a belief that burning a scarecrow stuffed with newspaper and sawdust, known as a ‘Viejo’ in Ecuador and a ‘doll’ in Panama, is considered a symbol of letting go of bad energy from the past year and bringing it forward. The puppet may take a politician’s face that people hope to see less of in the coming year.
Ireland – Put leaves under your pillow
Before heading to bed on New Year’s Eve, Irish singles are advised to tuck holly leaves or ivy beneath their pillows, as dreaming about their one-day spouse may bring them good luck in love.
In the modern era, the practice of kissing under the mistletoe expanded in Ireland, even though it is not an Irish tradition. Perhaps this is due to the adoption of the mistletoe kissing tradition.
Italy: Out with the old (literally)
Italians traditionally throw household items such as dishes, glasses, and ceramics out of upper-floor windows at the beginning of the New Year to drive out bad fortune. However, even though the custom has fallen out of vogue and is no longer practiced today, it’s always careful to keep an eye out for broken glass when walking around at night on New Year’s Eve.
China: Eat fish for good fortune
Various traditional Chinese customs are associated with food and wordplay during the New Year. For example, Chinese words for fish and prosperity both mean ‘yu,’ so eating a whole fish together with family is said to bring you prosperity in the new year. There are many traditional rules associated with eating New Year’s fish, such as always facing elders when eating the fish and starting with the person facing the fish’s head.
Conclusion
Whatever you plan on doing this New Year’s Eve may make you feel auspicious, but do keep in mind that many cultures assert that how you spend New Year’s Day will set the tone for your entire year. Cheers to 2022, everyone!
