15 New Year’s superstitions from around the world

The clock strikes midnight . A new year begins. And all over the globe, on January 1, people undertake their various rituals to invite good luck for the next 365 days.

Maybe you have a tradition of your own, or maybe you’d like to get a head start on your resolution to try something new by inaugurating 2024 by giving an unfamiliar tradition a whirl—because, who knows, maybe it works? Whether you believe in the positive vibes these beliefs are meant to bring or just want to add some spice to your usual Champagne-drenched celebration, implementing a new tradition may be the perfect way to kick off the new year. Without further ado, here are 10 New Year’s superstitions from around the world. Midnight kiss Popularised in the United States, give your loved one a (consensual) smooch to bring good luck in the upcoming year or strengthen an already-existing romantic relationship.



This is definitely one of the sexier New Year’s traditions, but don’t sweat it if you’re not feeling this tradition, or if there’s no one around you want to kiss . (No, that doesn’t mean you’ll be lonely for the rest of the year.) There’s plenty more on this list for you to try out that doesn’t involve locking lips.

Eat 12 grapes Get your bowl of grapes ready to welcome the new year. Common in Spain, this tradition involves waiting for the stroke of midnight, then eating one grape for each clock chime. The twelve grapes represent the upcoming months, and popping them into your mouth is meant to welcome good luck and prosperity.

Some also believe eating the grapes helps ward off evil spirits. If you’re already a snack-lover, this might just be your new favorite tradition. Collard greens and black-eyed peas If you’re spending time in the southern region of the U.

S., you might find yourself eating plates of collard greens and black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. This American tradition promises good luck and prosperity : the veggies’ color conjures the green of dollar bills and the peas represent coins.

We could all use a little luck with our finances in 2024, so why not do it with a hearty meal? Empty suitcase If you didn’t do a lot of traveling this previous year, find an empty suitcase and get ready to roll around your house, or even block. In Central and Latin America, people take a stroll with their luggage or put their suitcases in the middle of a room for people to walk around, as a way of attracting good travel for the next year. Break a pomegranate Pomegranates are often portrayed as sacred symbols, representing fertility and abundance.

In Greek culture, smashing a pomegranate after the ball drops means good fortune in the upcoming year. Some versions of the tradition call for getting a pomegranate blessed while attending church, then hanging the fruit on the front door from Christmas until New Year’s. On January 1, everyone takes a turn smashing it until there are thirteen pieces—one for each month of the year, and an extra for good luck.

Open the windows Irish New Year’s superstitions states that every door and window must be open throughout the home when the clock strikes twelve. This symbolises letting the old year go and welcoming in the new, and it also represents welcoming in the spirits of departed family members, allowing them to take part in the celebration. Worth braving inclement weather for, no? Wear polka dots You may not have polka-dot apparel lying around, but if you do, this is its time to shine.

In the Philippines, people don the coin-like print to attract financial prosperity. If you've been following recent fashion trends, consider rocking polka dots for your NYE outfit this year. First foot in Scotland keeps the party going by celebrating Hogmanay, which is basically a time to rejoice from New Year's Eve through January 2.

The Scottish partake in “first-footing,” where the first person to enter the house on New Year’s Day is seen as a bringer of luck for the coming year. Traditionally, this person should bring a gift, but nothing too crazy! Consider packing a piece of coal, shortbread, or some whisky (a perennial favorite). The gifts symbolise elements of luck, like warmth, food, and prosperity.

Red underwear If you have a cute pair of red lace undies you’ve been wanting to wear, consider this your sign. In Italy, many participate in the tradition of wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve to guarantee luck and success for the upcoming year. Not just a fun fashion statement, wearing red underwear on NYE is serious business for Italians, representing passion and love for the next 12 months.

Pork and sauerkraut If collard greens and black-eyed peas aren't your style, try Germany’s take on the New Year meal by cooking up pork and sauerkraut . The German tradition calls for eating this specific meal on December 31: the pig represents luck because of how they always move in a forward motion, led by their snouts. This symbolises moving forward, instead of backward, in the new year.

Breaking dishes In Denmark, people save old dishes throughout the year and throw them at the doors of friends and family on New Year’s Eve. The more broken dishes you have at your door, the more friends and good fortune you will have in the new year. Graveyard sleepover In the small town of Talca in Chile, it is tradition to spend the night in a cemetery on the last day of the year.

The Chileans believe their deceased loved ones are waiting for them there, and the living have made a ritual of spending the evening celebrating with their deceased loved ones to include them in the festivities and honour their memory. Tossing away old furniture You’d best keep away from residential areas at midnight since in some parts of South Africa, particularly in Johannesburg, people throw old furniture out of their windows to symbolise letting go of past hardships and making room for new opportunities. Bear dancing In Romania, people dress up in bear costumes and dance from house to house to chase away evil spirits and bring good luck.

In some versions, those dressed in bear costumes are led to a stage where they act out a simple ritual scene in which the bear collapses because a demon is inside him. The gypsy comes with a knife and bleeds the bear, lets the demon out and the bear is resurrected. It’s a story of rebirth for the new year.

Jumping over waves It’s very common for Brazilians to spend New Year’s at the beach, especially in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. When the clock strikes twelve, a fireworks show begins, at which moment, people rush into the ocean to jump over exactly seven waves. With each wave, they make a wish to the goddess (orixá) Iemanjá for the upcoming year.

The more superstitious go an extra mile, sending small boats and white roses into the ocean. This article first appeared on Vogue.com Also read: How not to abandon New Year’s resolutions by January 12th like everyone else Can we resolve to let New Year’s resolutions go? 10 Vogue editors share their New Year resolutions for 2023.