From Grapes to Midnight Kisses: 14 New Years Superstitions

We’re moments away from welcoming a new year with hope and joy – and maybe just a touch of superstition, as well. From eating specific foods to performing certain rituals, there are traditions all over the world that are believed to invite luck, prosperity, and happiness into the coming year. Let’s take a look at some of those New Year’s superstitions to see why they exist and if we’d like to add one or two to our annual rituals!

New Years Superstitions

We have to start with the midnight kiss. It’s a romantic tradition widely observed in the United States and other countries. According to folklore, sharing a kiss as the clock strikes twelve ensures a year filled with love and companionship. The origins of this superstition are linked to European and early American traditions that emphasize starting the new year with those you hold dear, symbolizing unity and affection for the months ahead.

Grapes for Good Fortune

In Spain, the New Year’s Eve celebration wouldn’t be complete without "las doce uvas de la suerte," or the twelve lucky grapes. At the stroke of midnight, Spaniards eat one grape with each chime of the clock. Each grape represents a month of the upcoming year, and eating all twelve in sync with the clock’s strikes is said to bring good fortune. Grapes on New Year's dates back to the late 19th century and has since become a cherished tradition not just in Spain but also in some Latin American countries.

Smashing Plates

If you visit Denmark on New Year’s Eve, don’t be surprised to see broken dishes outside people’s doors. This quirky tradition involves throwing plates and other breakable items at the homes of friends and family. The more broken dishes you find on your doorstep, the better your luck for the coming year. It’s a noisy, joyful way to show love during a New Year’s party and foster bonds.

First-Footing

In Scotland, the "first-footing" tradition is a central part of Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year celebration. The first person to enter your home after midnight is considered the "first footer," and their arrival is believed to set the tone for the year ahead. For optimal luck, the first footer should be a dark-haired man carrying symbolic gifts such as coal (for warmth), shortbread (for sustenance), and whisky (for good cheer).

Wearing Red Underwear

This is a simple addition to your New Year’s Eve outfit. In Italy, red is the color of luck and love, making red underwear a must-wear item on New Year’s Eve. Italians believe that donning red undergarments will bring love, passion, and prosperity in the year to come. This vibrant tradition is also observed in other countries, like Mexico and Spain, where colorful underwear choices often signify specific wishes, such as yellow for wealth or white for peace.

Jumping Waves

On the beaches of Brazil, revelers dressed in white take to the ocean to jump over seven waves as a way of paying homage to Iemanjá, the Afro-Brazilian goddess of the sea. With each wave jumped, a wish is made for the new year. The ritual is both a spiritual offering and a festive way to celebrate amid the waves and fireworks. And fear not. If you can’t catch any waves on New Year’s Eve, Iemanjá will forgive you for incorporating this into your New Year’s Day superstitions.

Eating Black-Eyed Peas and Greens

In the southern United States, New Year’s Day is synonymous with a hearty meal filled with black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread. Each component is symbolic: the peas represent coins, the greens symbolize paper money, and the cornbread stands for gold. Eating this meal is thought to bring financial prosperity and good fortune throughout the year.

Opening Doors and Windows

In the Philippines, many families open all their doors and windows at the stroke of midnight to let out the old year and welcome the new one. Circular shapes, representing coins, are also a prominent motif throughout Filipino celebrations. Families serve round fruits, wear polka-dotted clothing, and fill their homes with anything circular to attract wealth and abundance.

Breaking Pomegranates

In Greece, pomegranates take center stage when New Year’s wishes are being sent up. At midnight, a pomegranate is smashed against the door of the house, and the scattering seeds symbolize abundance, fertility, and good luck. The more seeds that spread, the greater the blessings for the coming year.

Tossing Water

In Puerto Rico, it’s customary to toss buckets of water out of windows to drive away evil spirits and cleanse the home for the new year. Additionally, Puerto Ricans sprinkle sugar outside their homes to invite good luck and positivity. It’s a refreshing and symbolic way to start anew.

Making Noise

Around the globe, making noise is a universal way to welcome the new year. In countries like Japan and China, bells are rung to chase away evil spirits. In the United States, fireworks and party horns create a celebratory racket. The underlying belief in all this is that loud noises can ward off negativity and bring joy and luck.

Walking with Suitcases

In several Latin American countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela, people walk around their block carrying suitcases to ensure a year filled with travel and adventure. Some even pack their bags with items representing their dream destinations to give the ritual an extra boost.

Eating Noodles

In Japan and China, eating long noodles during the New Year symbolizes longevity. The key is to eat the noodles without breaking them, as intact noodles are thought to bring uninterrupted happiness and a long life. Whether served in soup or stir-fried, this simple dish has a lovely significance. 

Cleaning the House

Many cultures embrace the tradition of cleaning the house before the new year to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune. That said, some superstitions caution against sweeping or doing laundry on New Year’s Day itself, as it could "sweep away" your luck or "wash away" prosperity.

The Power of Wishes and Intentions

Throughout all these diverse New Year’s superstitions, one thing remains constant: the collective hope for a brighter future. Whether you’re eating grapes, jumping waves, or wearing red underwear, it’s all about setting intentions, fostering connections, and celebrating life’s possibilities. As you prepare to ring in the new year, why not try incorporating a tradition from another part of the world? After all, a little extra luck never hurts.

Happy New Year, dear readers. May 2025 be filled with joy, prosperity, and plenty of exciting traditions to share.