ALBANY — Webster’s New World Dictionary defines a superstition as “any belief, based on fear or ignorance, that is inconsistent with the known laws of science or with what is generally considered in the particular society as true and rational.”
Many such ideas swarm the hours of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The question is, if such beliefs make no sense, why to they continue to be such a vital part of life? The simplest answer may be better safe than sorry.
Here are some of the long-held superstitions connected to the changing of the calendar.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
— At midnight, all the doors of the house must be opened to let the old year out unimpeded.
— It is believed that the evil one and his attendants and servants hate loud noises. For this reason, celebrations of the coming year should be as loud as possible. In many places, church bells ring for the same reason.
— The cupboards should be stocked with food and the wallets with money. Both will bring prosperity in the new year.
— Kissing at midnight ensures the affections and warmth will continue through the new year.
— Toss a bucket of water out the window or a cup of water over your shoulder. This is symbolic of getting rid of all last year’s tears.
— Ladies should wear either a pair of red or yellow panties, inside out. Red ensures s coming year of passion and love. Yellow panties will attract happiness and financial success. Turn the panties right side out during the first few minutes of the new year and the closet will be filled with new clothing within a few months.
— Well before midnight, clean the house thoroughly, including under beds. Sweep all the garbage out the front door rather that placing it the trash can, removing all of the year’s garbage (and bad experiences).
— At the stroke of midnight, quickly eat 12 grapes one at a time, one for every month of the coming year to ensure prosperity all year long. Make a wish with each grape but beware of sour grapes, which will bring a bad month for each one eaten in the new year.
— For those with a desire to travel, pack your bags and walk around the block. This will ensure increased travel for the upcoming year.
— Make a list of things that bothered you during 2015, burn it and vow to leave it in the past.
— Never badmouth the current year until the new one arrives.
— At midnight, all the doors and windows in the house should be opened to let the old year out unimpeded.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
— One of the best-known New Year’s Day superstitions involves the “first footer.” This term refers to the first man to cross the threshold into one’s house. If he has dark hair and carries a piece of coal, bread, salt and money, the good luck of the household is ensured for the whole year ahead. Beware, however, of blonds and redheads, because they bring bad luck to the household. Under no circ*mstances should the first footer be cross-eyed, flat-footed or have eyebrows that meet in the middle. Worse yet would be for a female to be the first to come in your home on New Year’s Day.
— Washing clothes on the year’s first day is inadvisable. Such action could have health repercussions, including death of a family member.
— Examine the weather during the early hours of the new year. If the wind blows from the south, there will be good weather and prosperous times ahead. If it blows from the north, the year will surely be filled with bad weather. East winds bring famine and calamity. Winds from the west will bring plentiful supplies of milk and fish but also the death of an important person. No wind at all on New Year’s Day morning is the best wind of all, signaling a joyful new year.
— Babies born on Jan. 1 of any year are said to be very lucky throughout their lives.
— Wearing new clothes on New Year’s Day predicts more new clothes for the year. Red clothes are the preferred color as the wearer will attract a happier year ahead.
— Before breakfast, open the Bible at random and place your finger on a chapter. The first verse that meets the eyes indicates the good or bad fortune of the reader.
— To ensure a profitable year, rise early. Those with a job, even when not working on New year’s Day, should do something related to that job. It is, however, bad luck do any serious work on New Year’s Day.
— It is believed that one should avoid crying or wailing on the first day of the year. Doing so could set a pattern of the coming months.
— Do not let money, jewelry or any treasured item leave the house on New Year’s Day. Some people go so far as to not let the trash be taken out in fear of the household’s good luck leaving with it. If for any reason a gift is to be given this day, leave it in a car or out building New Year’s Eve.
— Some cultures believe one should not wash his or her hair on New Year’s Day because it will wash away the good fortune of that person.
— If, upon rising, a young girl looks out her bedroom window and sees a man passing by, she will marry before the year has ended.
— Taking a nap is fine, but to sleep the day away means the new year will not be a productive one.
— Dancing in the open air, especially around a tree, on New Year’s Day ensures luck in love and 12 months free of ill health.
AT THE TABLE
— Eating pork is good idea because pigs root (move) forward as they eat, and advancement is something everyone wants in a new year.
— Greens, collards, kale and even cabbage are good luck because the folds in the greens resemble folded money.
— Eating black-eyed peas? The more the better is a good idea because they resemble coins.
— Noodles are symbolic of long life. Grains like rice and barley signify abundance.
