Many people believe in New Year’s superstitions, including the idea that cleaning or doing laundry on New Year’s Day could bring bad luck for the rest of the year. Some superstitions even suggest that cleaning on New Year’s could “wash away a loved one,” leading to potential tragedies in the upcoming year. This belief originates from China, where similar customs are followed during the Lunar New Year celebration. In China, people clean their homes before the new year to get rid of bad luck but avoid cleaning during the New Year period to preserve any good luck that may be present in the home.
Different cultures have various traditions and rituals to bring good luck on New Year’s Day. In Spain, people eat a dozen grapes at midnight, one for each stroke of the clock, to bring luck for the new year. In Denmark, smashing plates on neighbors’ doorsteps is thought to bring good fortune, with more pieces broken signifying better luck. Greece celebrates New Year’s by smashing a pomegranate, symbolizing abundance, fertility, and eternity. Brazil has a tradition of fireworks and jumping seven waves at midnight, with each wave granting a wish to the jumper.
In the United States, the New Year is typically celebrated with a kiss at midnight, which is believed to bring good luck and strengthen relationships. The tradition of watching the ball drop in New York City’s Times Square originated from the use of time balls in the 1800s to inform the masses of the time. The New Year’s Eve Ball in Times Square, introduced by The New York Times in 1907, has become a symbol of the New Year’s celebration in the city, with millions of people gathering to watch it descend at midnight.
Despite the various traditions and superstitions surrounding New Year’s Day, the belief that cleaning or doing laundry on New Year’s could bring bad luck persists in many cultures. Avoiding cleaning on New Year’s is seen as a way to preserve any good luck that may be present in the home and to prevent any potential tragedies in the upcoming year. Whether you choose to follow these superstitions or not, celebrating the New Year in a way that brings you joy and hope for the future is what matters most. So, whether you’re smashing plates in Denmark or watching fireworks in Brazil, embrace the traditions that bring positivity and happiness into your life.
