As the end of the year approaches, some of us can’t say good riddance soon enough. Many of the favorite traditions we partake in as we welcome the New Year come to mind. Did you know that many of our favorite traditions came to be because of superstition? There’s a real reason why we bang on pots and pans and create noise at the stroke of midnight. In addition, do you know the significance of why you kiss a particular person as the clock strikes midnight? The following will help you learn the importance and meaning of these common New Year’s Eve traditions done all over the world. 

Kissing at Midnight

Kissing at midnight is likely the most popular and romantic of all New Year’s Eve superstitions.  However, were you aware kissing someone at midnight is supposed to bring good luck to your love life? The saying goes that whoever you kiss at midnight will be the person you spend the next 12 months with! 

Running with an Empty Suitcase

Running with an empty suitcase is actually a Colombian New Year’s Eve superstition. One that is meant for someone who has been missing out on the thrill of traveling for a long time. The belief behind this superstition is carrying an empty suitcase with you, even on short jaunts, promises a year filled with travel and adventure. 

Avoid the Temptation to Cry 

Whether you are crying tears of happiness or sadness on New Year’s Day it is imperative not to do it! Crying on New Year’s Day is said to be a bad omen of a year filled with bad luck and sadness. 

Keep Some Cash in Your Wallet

On New Year’s Eve, make sure always to have a couple of dollars in your wallet. There is a superstition stating that if you do, the new year will be prosperous. 

Eat Lots of Collard Greens

Eating collard greens is a delicious tradition of the South. The belief behind eating these green vegies on New Year’s Day is it brings good luck and prosperity to the upcoming months. 

Eating Soba Noodles

There’s another New Year’s tradition that originates in Japan, which is eating soba noodles. These buckwheat noodles consumed precisely at midnight on December 31 bring longevity and prosperity to the coming year. 

Eating a Dozen Grapes

The tradition of eating grapes started in Spain. The belief is that you must consume twelve grapes starting at Midnight on New Year’s Day. If you eat all 12 before 12:01 A.M. the year ahead will bring prosperity and good luck. 

Avert Lobster Consumption

Some people think indulging in a fine meal of lobster on New Year’s Eve is a great way to exit the old year. However, according to several cultures, this is something you should avoid doing. The reason, lobsters travel backward, thus, consuming this seafood on NYE will create several setbacks in the upcoming year. 

Don’t Eat Chicken

The tradition of not eating chicken on New Year’s Eve is to avoid the chance good luck will fly away. Because chickens have wings, it is believed eating this meat on the eve of a New Year brings bad luck. 

Cleaning the House

A Latin American legend states when you clean your house on NYE you can sweep away all negativity. 

Avoid Housework Altogether

On the other hand, there is another superstition of the Chinese declaring the opposite. That belief is to avoid doing any housework on New Year’s Day. The reason for this belief is that cleaning up or tossing the trash will do the same to your luck. 

Gazing Through a Bedroom Window

To the single person, doing this on New Year’s Day means their future significant other is nearby. Seeing a man (or woman) pass by your window upon awakening on New Year’s Day is a good sign. It means you could be tying the knot before the end of the upcoming year! 

Don’t be a Lender of Money

To not lend money is not only a New Year’s superstition, you should not do it at any time of year. However, lending money on New Year’s Eve or Day predicts financial woes for the future months to come. 

Wearing Red Underwear

If you want to find love in the New Year, this Latin American superstition predicts you will. On New Year’s Eve slip on a pair of red underwear for an evening that might just bring love into your life! 

Make Lots of Noise!

Do you know where the idea of noisy noisemakers at New Year’s Eve parties comes from? It derives from the tradition that loud noises would scare off any evil spirits lurking about. For this reason, we bang pots, and pans, and blow noisemakers at the stroke of Midnight!  

Be an Early Riser

Not everyone can be the proverbial “Early bird”, particularly, after a night of partying on New Year’s Eve! Yet, according to a Polish superstition, waking up early on January 1st will ensure you’ll be waking early all year. 

Throwing Dishes

The Danish have a superstition that says it’s good luck to break dishes on a neighbor’s or family member’s front doorstep. I am not sure I would try this though without confirming with the party in question first! 

Running Around the House 7 Times

Running seven times around the house seems a bit outrageous, but then most superstitions are! However, with the past few years we have all had, I am sure you’re willing to try anything new. Grab a pair of sneakers and take a sprint around your house. Even if it doesn’t bring you good luck in the new year, you’ll get some exercise! 

Wearing Polka Dots

Here’s a simple superstition done by Filipino people on New Year’s Eve– wear clothing with polka-dots! The reason, is polka-dots are similar in shape to coins, meaning wearing a lot of them will bring prosperity and wealth! 

Stay Indoors!

When we say stay indoors, it doesn’t mean to become a hermit. You only have to stay inside your home until an outside guest comes inside! Preferably a male, who brings good luck to the household.

Throwing Stuff Out the Window

In Italy, do what the natives do on New Year’s Eve. At the stroke of Midnight on December 31st, start throwing your things through the window. Although it sounds outrageous and even harmful, it is done to make room for the New Year’s positive vibes. 

Do a Little Bear Dance 

During the period from Christmas Day to New Year’s Eve, the Romanian people wear bearskins and dance in the streets! A superstition that is done to chase off any ill fortune and bad luck in the coming year. 

Burning Scarecrows

Americans use scarecrows to decorate during the fall. However, in Ecuador, they represent bad energy from the year that has passed. Thus, the Ecuadorian people burn scarecrows to give the New Year a fresh start, free of the past’s bad vibes. 

Stepping on Your Right Foot

In many cultures, it’s bad luck to start the New Year by stepping on one’s left foot first. Therefore, this tradition guarantees the New Year gets you started on the right foot, literally! 

At Midnight, Open Up All the Doors

Although the air might be a little cold at midnight on December 31st, open the windows and doors!  It’s a popular superstition that allows you to release the old year and welcome in the new year! 

Final Thoughts

With so many New Year’s superstitions available, you are now armed to make this New Year the best year ever! Whichever of the above New Year’s superstitions you partake in, we hope 2024 is a healthy and prosperous year for everyone!