I have followed New Year’s traditions my whole life. Mom always made corned beef and cabbage. I didn’t know what for but I always at just a little. I didn’t really like the taste. As a young adult I was force-fed black-eyed peas (actually, just one, wrapped in some cooked cabbage). I was also told that whatever I did New Year’s Day would be what I did all year long. I came to believe that one as truth.
This year, we have a foreign exchange student from Spain. She told e that in Spain you are to put 20 grapes in your mouth and eat them all at once. If you do this then you will find true love. If any grapes fall out then you will have bad luck all year. I looked it up. Actually, you are supposed to eat 12 grapes at midnight (not altogether) for good luck each month.
Then I started looking at other traditions. That was very interesting.
- eat black eyed peas for luck
- eat cabbage or other greens for wealth
- eat pork for progress and wealth – sauerkraut, being a form of cabbage is added for wealth
- make New Year’s resolutions
- go for a “polar plunge”
- do not do laundry or take out the trash – this will keep your luck intact
- cleaning banishes negativity
- eat round foods to symbolize coins
- open doors and windows to let the old year out and the new one in
- wear colored underwear
- yellow = money
- red = love
- green = wealth
- white = peace
- make sure your purse and pantry are full to ensure cash and food throughout the year
- wear white for good luck and peace
- make lemons into pigs
- sprinkle salt in front of your door to bring peace
- shoot off fireworks and noisemakers (bells) to scare off evil spirits
- the first person to cross your threshold after midnight brings luck
- a kiss at midnight ensures love in the new year
- sweep out the year ending at midnight
Then I looked at New Year’s traditions from around the world.
- in Denmark they throw plates at doors for good luck – they also stand on a chair and “leap” into the new year
- in Columbia they carry an empty suitcase around to ensure a year of travel
- in Ecuador they burn edifices to destroy past negativity
- in China you do not shower or wash your hair to show respect to the Water God
- in Brazil it is customary to go to the beach and jump 7 waves – you get one wish for each wave
- in Greece they hang bundles of onions over the door as a sign of fertility and abundance
- in Russia they give gifts
- in the Philippines they wear polka dots to represent coins and ensure a prosperous year
- in Ireland they bang bread or plates on the wall to chase away evil spirits
- in Turkey they smash pomegranates on their doorsteps for prosperity
- in Puerto Rico they dump a bucket of water out the window to wash out evil spirits
So many things to remember. All of them seem to bring about good luck, prosperity and eliminate evil spirits.
From here in Fancy Farm, we want to wish you a Happy New Year. May you leave all of your problems behind you in 2025 and may 2026 bring you only happiness, joy, prosperity and good luck.
