Superstitions for New Years

Doug and I were talking about superstitions related to New Years.  Like how you are supposed to eat pork and sauerkraut on New Year's day.  Why?  I don't really know.  I can eat sauerkraut although I'm not a huge fan; Doug won't go near the stuff.  Neither will the kids, so we don't eat it.  His co-worker had a strange superstition, which I can't remember right now, but it is what sparked this post.  :)


Anyway, I did a little digging and came up with some that I was aware of and some that I wasn't and are pretty bizarre.  I'm not superstitious, so this is just for fun.  Here they are with my comments if I have any.  :)


Wear New Clothes
People believe that one should wear new clothes on New Year's Day. This would mean receiving more new garments during the year. Red clothing is preferred for New Year's Day since red is considered a happy color and is sure to attract for the wearer a brighter future. 
Okay, so I don't have any brand new clothes.  And I very rarely wear red.  Not a good color for me.  I was thinking of just bumming around in sweats all day.  Is that wrong?

Avoid Crying
It is said that one should avoid breaking things or crying and wailing on the first day of the year, if you don't want to continue the pattern for the entire year. 
Here's hopin'!  :)  So far I think Alex has cried once or twice.  He is 5 after all.  Nick just brought Keira to tears over a stupid Wii game that he did better at than she.  Ugh!

Be Polite
People say that one should behave nicely on New Years day and must refrain from using foul language. Ghost stories and conversations on death should also be avoided. 
I try to do this every day anyway.  Still working on the kids though.  They have a tendency to be rude to each other.   Just because.

Lucky New Year Babies
Babies born on January 1st are said to be the luckiest of all throughout their lives. 
None here.

Don't Let Money Leave the House
In several countries, people do not let money, jewelry, precious items or other invaluable things leave home on New Years Day. Hence it is said that one should not pay loans and bills or lend things to anybody. People go to the extent of not taking out garbage or even not dusting their carpets on this day to ensure that nothing goes out of home during the year. If you have to deliver presents on New Year morning, it is advised to leave them in the car since New Year Eve on December 31st. In case you must take something out from the home, let someone come with the present inside the home first. 
I did write a few things in the check book last night.  Not because of this superstition, because, as I said, I'm not superstitious.  I just happened to be finishing up January's budget after Doug and I had our budget meeting yesterday.  And it seemed a good a time as any to write in the few things that are automatically coming out over the next few days.

Letting the Old Year Out 
At midnight, all the doors of a house must be opened to let the old year escape unimpeded. 
Nope, didn't do this.

Stack Up Cupboards and Wallets
It is believed that cupboards stocked up with food and wallets and purses full of money bring prosperity in New Year. Similarly, empty pockets or empty cupboards on New Years Eve portend a year of poverty. 
We have plenty of food.  And my wallet isn't "full" but it isn't empty either.  So I guess that's a good thing.  :)

Do not Wash Dishes
In several societies washing dishes and doing laundry on New Year's day is said to lead to a death in the family during the year. Many people do not even wash hair on New Year day. 
Well, I guess I should have read this before I did a load of laundry first thing this morning.  It is just a habit.  But I have no problem refraining from washing dishes today.  :)  Although I probably will anyway.  And even though I haven't showered yet, I do plan to wash my hair.

Do Token Amount of Work
It is said that one must do token amount of work on the New Year's Day. This is said to ensure advancement in career. But starting out a serious work project is unlucky on New Year Day. 
I already folded 4 loads of laundry ... with 1 more in the dryer right now.  So I guess I can check this off the list.  Who's going to give me a raise?  :)

Make Noise
People believe that Evil One and his attendants and servants hate din and loud noise. So, scare them away by being as loud in New Year celebrations as possible. Church bells are rung at midnight for the same reason. 
My neighbors shooting their guns off at midnight last night have this one taken care of.  Ugh!

Don't Keep Debts
Pay your bills and loans before New Year Eve, so you don't have any debt left for New Year. 
We have no debt except for our mortgage, which I wrote in the checkbook last night (it is automatically withdrawn on the first of each month), so done and done.

Eat Black-Eyes Peas 
In Southern part of the United States it is said that eating of black-eyed peas on New Year's Day will attract both general good luck and money in particular to the one doing the dining. 
Um, no thank you.

Kiss at Midnight 
It is believed that kissing at midnight ensures that affections and ties will continue throughout the New Year. On similar lines, it is said, to not do this would be to set the stage for a year of coldness. 
Well, Doug was working midnight shift last night (7pm-7am), so I didn't get to kiss him until this morning.  Does it still count?

First Footing
One must never leave the home before someone comes in first. First footer in the house should be ushered in with a warm welcome and should not have flat feet, cross-eyes or eyebrows stretching out to meet in the middle. It would be even better if he came bearing certain small gifts. 
Flat feet, crossed-eyes, or a unibrow?  Seriously?  Well, Doug came home from work this morning to find everyone still sleeping.  Not exactly a warm welcome, but I'm sure he didn't mind since he just wanted to go to sleep.

The Direction of Wind
The direction of wind during sunrise on New Year morning prophesies about the coming year. Wind from south foretells fine weather and prosperous times ahead while wind from north foretells bad weather. Wind blowing from east foretells natural calamities and wind from west foretells plenty of milk and fish for all but death of a person of great national importance. No wind means joy and prosperity throughout the year. 
I was sleeping during sunrise this morning.  Actually sunrise didn't happen since it has been pouring down rain since last night.  So I have no idea which direction the wind was blowing, if at all.

Dance in the Open Air 
To dance in the open air, especially round a tree, on New Year's Day ensures luck in love and prosperity and freedom from ill health during the coming twelve months. 
But it is pouring down rain outside!

Find Future Groom
On New Year's Day if, on rising, a girl should look out of her bedroom window and see a man passing by, she may reckon to be married before the year is finished. 
So does she marry the guy who is stalking her?  Or someone else?

Drain the Bottle
You could ensure yourself good fortune by draining the last dregs from a bottle of drink on New Years! 
I don't drink.  At all.  But I did finish all my water last night.  :)


So there you have it.  How is your 2011 looking so far?


Superstition list adapted from: http://www.newyearfestival.com/new-year-superstitions.html

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