It’s always a good time for a personal makeover, whether it’s letting go of old baggage or embracing new possibilities. Creating a prosperous life requires a clean slate and a new year seems just the time to do it. Unfortunately, “prosperous” isn’t a word that pops into mind when thinking about the current state of global economic affairs. This may be one reason why now, more than ever, people are looking for omens, rituals, and practices that might increase their good fortune in a time of dour news reports. Luckily, good luck traditions and rituals have been bestowing their riches and good health (at least in theory) for centuries and their application is as timely as ever.
Many good luck rituals occur on New Year’s Day, but who is to say that put into practice on any given day, they wouldn’t work? Borrow from these practices, make them your own, and make this year your luckiest year.
United States
The Southern tradition of eating black eyes peas on New Year’s Day is something that can continue throughout the year. “Each pea has an eye in it and there’s a sense of looking into the future and bringing good luck to people who eat them,” said William Ferris, a professor at the University of North Carolina and co-editor of the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture. The good-luck ritual includes shelling the peas and throwing the husks in the road, he continued. Southerners also believe eating collard greens early in the New Year will bring money and prosperity. Time to get those greens and beans on the stove.
China
The Chinese New Year uses the color red to symbolize good luck and happiness. In China, front doors are traditionally painted red to bring in the good omens. Although you might not want a new door color, wearing red can convey self-esteem and confidence. And according to a 2008 study, wearing red may also increase a woman’s luck at catching at catching a mate—men reported that women in reddish clothing were sexier than those in blue and greens.
The Chinese also believe that dragons, fish, elephants, and cranes represent good luck and prosperity. Many people have statues or pictures of these animals in strategic parts of their house.
Spain
The Spanish ritual on New Year’s Eve is to eat twelve grapes at midnight; one eaten at each tolling of the midnight bells. The tradition is meant to secure twelve happy months in the coming year. This ritual could be used year round on birthdays to issue in twelve happy months of your “new” year.
Greece
The Greeks bake a special cake on New Year’s Day to secure luck for the coming year. Vassilopitta, or St Basil’s cake, is baked with a silver or gold coin inside. Whoever finds the coin in her piece of cake will be especially lucky during the coming year. A twist on this traditional theme is to have a dinner party, make a Vassilopitta, and declare the finder of the coin the luckiest person for the next year.
