Legend has it that positive energy brings good sh*t—and that's especially true when it comes to the new year. There's nothing like a fresh 12 months to cut ties with people and subscription services that aren’t sparking joy in your life...and, like, to replace those makeup brushes you haven't washed in the past three years (no shame—I am you, we are the same). Like, who wants to start a new trip around the sun with crusty vibes like that?
This brings me to superstitions. Yeah, they may sound a little random at times, but wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry? Even if that *does* mean carefully avoiding cracks on the sidewalk and never ever walking under ladders. It's not paranoia, it's ~precaution~.
When it comes to ushering in a new 365 days though, there are plenty of popular traditions from around the world that might just bring you good luck and positive energy in the new year. From foods you should eat to garments you should wear, 2024 should be in pretty good shape if you sample some of these global beliefs and practices. Trust, they're all minimal effort with a potentially high payoff! So read on and start visualizing all that happiness you'll be receiving in the few short weeks (!) to come. A little superstition can’t hurt, right?
Literally…be born on January 1.
That’s it. That’s the story. Congrats on having good luck forever, all you New Year’s Day, bbs!
Step only with your right foot.
Many cultures think that if you step into the New Year leading with your *right* foot, you'll start it out, well, on the right foot. Hehe.
Look out your bedroom window.
Calling all the single ladies out there! If you're hoping to get cuffed, it's said that if you peer out your bedroom window as soon as you wake up on New Year's Day, and you see a man walk by, you could expect a ring before the end of the year.
Hop over seven waves.
Do you happen to live by the ocean? You're in luck. It's customary in Brazil to dress in all white and jump over seven beach waves after midnight. With each wave, you're supposed to make one wish. This tradition comes from the Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda, and it is said that the Iemanjá, Goddess of the Sea, will make those wishes come true.
Bang bread against your walls.
Stock up on those loaves. An Irish superstition is that hitting bread on your doors and walls can fend off evil spirits and bad luck. Just keep a broom on hand for any crumbs.
Smash a pomegranate.
No, not pumpkins. Poms, baby. Greek tradition says that the pomegranate is a symbol of abundance, fertility, luck, and prosperity. So if those are themes that you'd like to dominate your new year, throw a pomegranate down at your home's entryway.
Choose a special first guest.
Speaking of the entryway, the first person who walks through your door on New Year's Day is very important in Scotland. The "First Footer" as they say should be someone with generally good vibes. It doesn't hurt if they come with gifts either.
Sprinkle some sugar outside.
In Puerto Rico, people dash a bit of sugar outside of their homes to bring good luck in. Come on...we know you have some leftover from all of those holiday pastry attempts.
Burn a scarecrow.
Not sure if you have any of these lying around, but if you do, throw them in the bonfire (safely...pls.) In Ecuador, some "burn" any lingering bad vibes from the previous year.
Take seven laps around the house.
Listen, I know cardio doesn't sound ideal, but it's a thing! You can also run around your room if you'd rather keep this one short.
Throw on some polka dots.
Got a cute 'fit with a polka-dotted pattern? December 31st is the day to whip it out. In the Philippines, some believe that the dots, which look like coins, will bring wealth, abundance, and success in the new year. We love those things.
Keep an eye on the weather.
I said what I said. So, allegedly, if the wind blows from the south in the wee early hours of New Year’s Day, the next year will bring prosperity. But if it’s coming from the north, gird your loins for a year of bad weather. Meanwhile, wind coming from the east brings, uh, famine and calamities. But wind from the west means the year will “witness plentiful supplies of milk and fish but also see the death of a very important person.” Woof, okay. Anyone remember which way the wind was blowing on January 1, 2020?
Don’t cry.
No crying on January 1! I don’t care how hungover you are. But for real, crying on the first day of the new year is thought to set the tone for the next 12 months.
Wake up early on New Year’s Day.
I know, I know. It’s literally the last thing you want to do on January 1, but a Polish tradition suggests that waking up early on New Year’s Day means you’ll easily wake up early for the rest of the year—no snoozing those alarms!
Kiss someone at midnight.
I’m guessing you’re already extremely familiar with this superstition since everyone makes such a big freakin’ deal about it every year. But, apparently, the midnight smooch is more than just an excuse to lock lips. Superstition says that if you kiss someone who gives you goosebumps when the clock hits 12, your love will last all year long.
Carry an empty suitcase.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to use your passport more often, listen up. In Colombia, some walk around with an empty suitcase on New Year’s Eve, as it’s believed to ensure you’ll travel throughout the next 12 months.
Eat black-eyed peas and collard greens.
Southerners will probably be familiar with this New Year’s Day menu. Eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on the first day of the new year is supposed to bring good luck and prosperity (aka that $$$, honey). Honestly, doesn’t sound like a bad combo for your hangover either.
Don’t clean your house.
Looking for an excuse not to tidy up? According to Chinese lore, tidying on New Year’s Day is thought to clean away the good luck you’ve stored up for the new year. Seriously, you’re not supposed to sweep the house or even do your laundry. Finally, a superstition that gives back.
Eat 12 grapes at midnight.
If you’re in Spain for New Year’s this year (how cool are you?!), don’t be surprised when everyone tosses back a dozen grapes at 12 a.m. The midnight snack is supposed to bring good luck for every month of the new year.
Toss some dishes at your neighbor’s house.
This Danish tradition is lowkey a popularity contest, as the superstition encourages you to break dishes on the doorsteps of all your friends and family for good luck. The more doorsteps you have to hit up, the luckier you’ll be. But if you live in America, I’d give your loved ones a heads-up before you bring this custom across the pond—they might not, uh, appreciate it otherwise.
Throw furniture out of a window.
In Italy, people toss their belongings—including furniture—out the window (literally) as soon as the clock strikes midnight on January 1, as it’s thought to help make room for only positive vibes in the new year.
Snack on some soba at midnight.
In Japan, it’s traditional to eat buckwheat soba noodles at midnight because the long, skinny noodles signify prosperity and longevity.
Make sure you *don’t* loan your friends any cash.
People think that loaning money out on New Year’s Eve serves as a preview of what the rest of your year will look like. So if you don’t want to be shelling out money to your friends all year long, wait until January 2 to lend them a few bucks.
And make sure your wallet is full too.
Full wallet on New Year’s Eve = rolling in the dough all year long. It’s probably not actually an indicator of next year’s wealth, but hey, do you really want to risk it?
Get loud.
Firecrackers and noisemakers became part of New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world because folklore says the loud sounds will ward off evil spirits. This superstition is cool and all, but it probably won’t work on your neighbors.
Stock your cupboards.
Tradition says that empty cabinets on New Year’s Day could indicate you’ll struggle in the next 12 months, particularly financially, so hit up the grocery store before everything closes for the holiday just in case.
Pop the door open at midnight.
In the Philippines, some open all the doors and windows in their homes at midnight to clear out the bad vibes and allow good luck to come on in. Sure, letting a bunch of cold air into your home in the middle of winter might not sound super fun, but do it for just a minute to make the magic work.
Steer clear of lobster and chicken.
As delicious as they are, eating lobster and chicken on January 1 might mess with your luck in the new year. The thinking goes that because chickens have wings, your luck could fly away, and since lobsters walk backward, consuming ’em might hold you back. It sounds a bit kooky but can’t hurt to stick to a vegetarian menu just in case.
Eat king cake when the clock strikes 12.
King cake is that delicious doughnut-like dessert famous in New Orleans (or in France, where it’s called galette des rois), and eating it signifies you’re satisfied with the end of the Christmas season and ready for a new year. If you’re lucky enough to get served the slice with a gold coin (or in some cases, a tiny plastic baby) tucked away in the batter, you’ll have an especially wealthy and prosperous new year. In other words, eating this cake could make you lucky. Do it.
Whip out your red underwear.
If you’re hoping 2023 will be a ~spicy~ year for you, make sure to slip on some red panties before heading out for any celebrations. In Latin America, wearing red underwear on New Year’s is believed to bring passionate relationships for the next 12 months. It’s up to you if anyone else gets to know you’re wearing them. ;)
Siena Gagliano
Associate Editor
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute co*cktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.
Annabel Iwegbue
Annabel Iwegbue is an assistant editor at Cosmopolitan where she primarily covers lifestyle and fashion. Before joining Cosmo, she covered entertainment at Harper's Bazaar, The Knockturnal, and Black Film. She's originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Cinema Studies from New York University. You can check out some of Annabel’s work here and also find her on Instagram and Twitter.
