Although many of us do not admit to it, we do believe or follow some superstition at one time or another.
Knock on wood?
I do, usually have to resort to knocking on my head, the universality of plastics you know.
Have you known people to stop a dog from howling to prevent death or
to get married on a rainy day to insure a long and happy marriage?
New Year’s Eve also has its fair share of strange myths and weird superstitions
that are followed by many around the world.
Here are a few:
1. No sweeping on New Year’s day.
They say that it is an ominous act and can sweep away the good luck of the entire family.
Well, why not? Anything that keeps you from the nasty chore of cleaning is welcome, right?
2. Wearing new clothes on New Year's Eve.
They believe that it ensures a constant supply of new clothes for the whole year to jazz up the wardrobe.
3. No empty pockets
There are people who insist that one should take care to avoid wearing a dress with empty pockets on New Year’s Eve
since it may be a sign of very low or no income in the year to come.
4. Say no to chicken
If you cook any chicken dish on New Year’s day, you will have monetary troubles for the rest of the year.
So now you know who is responsible for all your financial troubles this year…
Colonel Sanders!
5. Don’t do laundry
They say that if you do your laundry, you will certainly wash off your luck or will face a year of hard work.
Even more ominous, doing laundry on this day is also associated with facing a family member’s death.
What can I say? These myths sound like work-relieving fun to me!
6. Don’t cry, honey!
The wise men (and women) say that one should not be miserable on this day and neither should one cry because that depression will follow you in the year to come.
So, wipe away those tears and be happy! After all, it is a new beginning.
7. Be Scrooge on New Year's Eve!
You should not give your cash, ornaments, precious items or other valuable things to anyone
on the first day of the year because it may be a sign that wealth will be flowing out in the entire year.
So, hang on to your cash until January 2nd!
8. Make noise and hang a lemon at New Year's Eve.
Have you ever wondered why there are fireworks on New Year’s Eve?
It is to scare away the evil spirits and evil thoughts.
Even hanging a lemon in the doorway helps in warding off bad spirits.
* The First Foot of New Year has a whole post coming soon here.
Do you know of any New Year's Eve superstitions?
I know of a few southern traditions meant to instill good luck in the coming year, but from my research, it's all hearsay. . .
ReplyDeleteWho knows which might be true -- so black eye peas and cabbage is a favorite New Year's Eve dish down here. I do the peas but not the cabbage!! May your New Year be fantastic!
DeleteWhat? I can't vacuum or do laundry on new year's day? Oh darn, and I was so looking forward to doing housework...
ReplyDeleteAnd a belated hello to you, Roland.I'm back! And sorry that I didn't visit your blog (or anyone else's) since my trip over the holidays (to see family). But now I'm back and happy to read your latest post. I wish you a splendid and prosperous new year.
I missed you, but I am glad you had a great time. Good to see you here again. Yep, no house-cleaning! Great superstition, right? May your New Year be the greatest!!
DeleteI have empty pockets and did the laundry - and our New Year is less than eight hours away now.
ReplyDeleteI swept this morning too. Time will tell.
I hope your New Year is healthy, happy and properous.
Well, as you say: time will tell! :-) My head is empty -- I wonder what that portends? Have a great healthy New Year, too!
DeleteHi Roland - most of those I didn't know .. the lemon! Not washing will be difficult! The first person past the post on New Year's Day I knew about .. perhaps in another context ...
ReplyDeleteStill - we make our own luck ... so positively step ahead into 2016 ... cheers and I do hope you can have some on your way round ... Happy New Year and all the best for 2016 - Hilary
May you and yorn have a healthy, safe, and productive 2000 sixteen.
ReplyDeleteA few I knew. Interesting list.
ReplyDeleteWe will be doing a roasting of the hog tomorrow. I got a fresh ham. But hog jowls, collards, rice and black eyed peas are high on the list.
If it will stop raining, I'll wash a load of clothes. I can't tomorrow. I don't want the youngest member of my family to die. That would be my little BoDuke. He will even walk in the rain.
Have a good New Year. It sure beats a bad one. ;-)
No real superstitions that I follow. But wishing you a positive, productive, exciting and memorable 2016.
ReplyDelete