We are all set to welcome the upcoming year 2025. Many people around the world on the occasion of New Year’s Eve follow various traditions to mark a fresh start. These traditions or superstitions are often considered the key to good fortune and warding off bad luck. From eating grapes at midnight to running around the neighborhood with an empty suitcase, these superstitions vary culturally. However, they share a common goal which is to attract good luck, prosperity, happiness, and health. This article brings you 20 New Year superstitions from across the globe. This list will offer us a glimpse of how people of different cultures welcome the upcoming year.
New Year Superstitions
1. Stocked Cupboards
Stocking your cupboards fully is one of the top superstitions that are followed on New Year’s Eve. The superstition originated in the South. Full cabinets apparently signify good luck. The people from the South believe keeping your pantry stocked will help your family avoid hardships in the upcoming year. People often go grocery shopping right before New Year and stock up all the cupboards. People also believe that superstition ensures abundance in the coming year.
2. Running Around With Empty Suitcase
If you are someone who loves traveling and is praying for more trips in the coming year, this superstition will have your interest. Running around the neighborhood with an empty suitcase apparently invites new experiences and a lot of trips your way. This superstition originated in Spain and a few Latin American countries also follow it. It recently gained popularity over the internet making it another one of the top 20 New Year superstitions.
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3. Throwing Stuff Out From Windows
Another bizarre superstition that might give a cultural shock to the foreigners originated from European countries. According to this superstition, people throw out old furniture, appliances, utensils, and even clothes from the windows at midnight. This apparently signifies throwing away the bad energies of the old year and welcoming the upcoming year with a fresh start. As weird as it may sound, it is actually one of the most followed rituals across Europe.
4. Eating Grapes
Another one of the top 20 New Year superstitions is eating 12 grapes at midnight within 60 seconds. The superstition originated from Latin countries and apparently brings good luck. However, it is gaining popularity over TikTok for completely different reasons. According to Tiktok users, the 12 grapes eaten at midnight apparently bring good luck in romantic relationships. The superstition is now popular all across the globe with people actively performing it on New Year’s Eve.
5. Keeping Your Wallet Full Of Cash
Keeping your wallet full of cash, according to this superstition, will apparently bring financial stability and prosperity. The origin of this belief is not clear. But, it is actively followed all across the globe. People believe that if they keep their wallets full of cash at the beginning of the year, they will remain full for the rest as well.
6. Eating Black-Eyed Peas
Eating black-eyed peas is another one of the top 20 New Year superstitions that have been followed for ages. The superstition originated from the South as well. People believe that eating black-eyed peas along with collard greens will apparently bring prosperity and well-being for the upcoming year. Dishes that contain the two elements are prepared on New Year’s Eve and people often enjoy them at dinner along with their families.
7. Making Noise
Making a lot of noise is one of the most common practices followed on the occasion of New Year. However, how many of you knew it was also another New Year superstition? According to ancient traditions, making noise at midnight is also connected to a superstition. It slowly became a part of our celebration without us even knowing. People from ancient times believed making noise wards off evil.
8. Leaving Windows Wide Open
Leaving windows and doors wide open is another one of the top 20 New Year superstitions. Much like the European superstition of throwing out the old furniture, this superstition focuses on throwing out bad air. People believe that the fresh air entering the house through the windows and doors, good vibes will enter your life. However, in today’s age, we aren’t sure if it’s an invitation to good vibes or thieves.
9. Polkadots
Wearing dresses with Polka dot prints is another one of the age-old New Year superstitions that is now widely followed. The superstition originated from the Philippines and people believe wearing the specific print brings good luck. Natives of the Philippines also surround themselves with objects that are round in shape. These objects may be anything ranging from round fruits to coins. People believe doing so brings wealth and prosperity.
10. Avoiding Lobsters
Avoiding keeping lobsters in the New Year’s Eve dinner menu is another one of the top 20 New Year superstitions gaining popularity. People from the natives believe eating lobsters at dinner on the occasion of New Year brings bad luck. The crustaceans moving backward is one of the many reasons behind this superstition.
11. Jumping As High As You Can
For those of you who wish to gain a little bit of height, this superstition is the one for you. According to the Philippines, if you jump as high as you can at midnight on New Year’s Eve, the upcoming year will bring an increase in your height. The superstition sounds amusing but the belief in it is strong.
12. Smashing Dishes
Another destructive New Year superstition is smashing dishes on the doors of people you hold close. In many countries across the globe, people believe that smashing plates or dishes on the doors of people close to you is a good omen for starting the new year. Hence, if you wake up to a stack of broken dishes on your doorstep, consider yourself popular in your neighborhood.
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13. Soba Noodles In Dinner
Eating Soba noodles for dinner on New Year’s Eve is another one of the top 20 New Year superstitions. The superstition originated in Japan. Japanese believe that the comforting meal will ease any pain or suffering of the previous year.
14. Not Doing Laundry
In many countries, doing your laundry on New Year is not considered auspicious. The origin of the superstition of avoiding your dirty laundry is not clear. However, elders of many countries may frown upon you if you do your dirty laundry on the occasion of New Year. People believe you might wash off the good vibes coming your way.
15. A Romantic Midnight Kiss
Sharing a romantic midnight kiss on New Year’s Eve is another one of the top 20 New Year superstitions. The origin of the superstition traces back to ancient Europe as well as Scotland. People believe kissing someone at midnight prevents loneliness in the coming year and also ensures togetherness.
16. Clean House
Another New Year superstition that contradicts the one above is cleaning your house on New Year’s Day. In many countries, people believe that we should welcome the New Year with a clean house. This helps us invite good vibes and throw off the past dirt.
17. Burning Old Photographs
Burning old photographs is another one of Ecuadorian superstitions that made it to the list of 20 New Year superstitions. People believe that burning old photographs before midnight helps dissolve old memories to make space for new ones.
18. Eating Vasilopita
Vasilopita is a cake popular as the New Year cake across European countries. The cake contains a coin or a trinket in the middle which apparently grants good luck to whoever receives it. It is similar to the Western European pastry, King Cake, eaten at Mardi Gras.
19. Eating Food Which Is Round In Shape
In many countries, especially in Europe and the US, eating 12-round-shaped food is another one of the 20 New Year superstitions. People believe that eating 12 round-shaped fruits at midnight brings prosperity as well as abundance. In the Philippines, people eat 13 round-shaped fruits as it is a native lucky number.
20. Wearing White Clothing
Wearing white clothing at midnight is a Brazilian superstition that is widely followed by the visitors too. According to the said superstition, people wear white clothing and jump over seven ocean waves. Following this superstition apparently brings good fortune for the upcoming year. However, if you don’t wish to get yourself wet in the night, just wearing white and not jumping over the waves can still help ensure good luck and prosperity.
