New Year's Eve is not only an occasion for great fun – for many of us, the end of the old year also has a symbolic meaning. With the beginning of the new year, we often associate certain hopes, and hoping for luck, we avoid certain behaviors that could bring bad luck or misfortune. What are the most popular New Year's Eve superstitions and what is better not to do on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day?
Superstitions in Poland Still Alive – What Brings Luck and What Brings Bad Luck?
According to a CBOS survey conducted in 2018, more than half of adult Poles (54%) believe in at least one of ten superstitions. Among those that bring good fortune, the most popular is the superstition about crossing fingers – 33% of respondents believe that this gesture can bring luck. When it comes to superstitions predicting bad luck, we most fear breaking a mirror (26%). New Year's Eve superstitions may not be as widespread, but nevertheless many people prefer to be cautious.
New Year's Eve Superstitions – What Not to Do on the Last Day of the Year?
Among the most popular New Year's Eve superstitions are those concerning cleaning and washing. On New Year's Eve, the house should be tidy, and unused or damaged items should be thrown away to help drive away bad energy and enter the new year with a clean slate. However, crucially, cleaning should be planned for the day before New Year's Eve or only on January 2nd. Cleaning, especially sweeping on the last day of the yearly cycle or the first day of the new one, can sweep away luck, prosperity, and wealth from the house.
According to superstitions, washing should also not be done on New Year's Eve – clothes drying through the New Year's Eve night are said to bring misfortune to the house, signify poverty, and bring bad luck. On the last day of the old year, one should also not lend anything to anyone – New Year's superstitions say this could expose us to shortages in the coming twelve months. If you plan a party on New Year's Eve, do not rush to clear plates from the table – quickly getting rid of food leftovers may take away prosperity.
New Year's Eve Superstitions That Bring Wealth and Abundance
New Year's Eve and New Year's superstitions not only talk about what should not be done when bidding farewell to the old year but also what is worth doing to bring luck and wealth into the home. It is believed that all debts should be paid off in the old year if possible so as not to carry them into the coming year. To avoid money shortages in the next twelve months, it is also worth placing a scale from the Christmas Eve carp in your wallet.
Putting a high denomination banknote into the right shoe is also said to ensure good financial luck – it's best to spend New Year's Eve with some amount of money with you. According to New Year's Eve superstitions, it is also worth thinking about filling the refrigerator, which is said to help protect us against financial problems. To ensure wealth for the whole year, after midnight put a new dish on the party table.
New Year's Eve Customs That Bring Luck in the New Year
Of course, New Year's Eve and New Year's superstitions are not only about money. Before the new year, it is good to reconcile with people with whom we have had conflicts and apologize to those who might bear a grudge against us. Thanks to this, we can expect harmonious and good relationships with others in the coming year. Other New Year's Eve customs suggest writing down all worries or unpleasant memories on a red card on New Year's Eve, burning it before midnight, and throwing the ashes out the door.
Superstitions also say to light a candle on New Year's Eve night that symbolizes family warmth and the home hearth. Just be careful that the fire does not go out because this is a very unfavorable omen. Just before midnight, windows and doors should be opened wide to invite positive energy into the house and get rid of what is bad and old. At midnight, you should kiss your loved one – but to be lucky throughout the year, the man should be the first to kiss the woman.
The midnight fireworks displays are meant to chase away evil forces and spirits with light and noise. It is also worth paying attention to the first New Year's toast. Straight, continuous bubbles in the glass indicate a calm and happy fate, while twisted or crossing bubbles may foretell turmoil and problems.
Single women looking for love who go to a party on New Year's Eve should wear new underwear for that evening, preferably red – supposedly this predicts success with the opposite sex in the new year. Many admirers are also assured by putting a bit of poppy seeds in their shoes, and the first male name a maiden hears during a conversation after midnight is said to be the name of her future husband.
What about typical New Year's superstitions? In the past, on New Year's Eve, the host baked rolls, generosity cakes, and hospitality cakes, which were distributed among the household members the next day so they would always be well-fed in the coming year – nowadays, a cake baked the day before can serve this function. On the other hand, when organizing a New Year's lunch, it is worth preparing round dishes – round-shaped objects symbolize the continuity and infinity of the yearly cycle.
At Klekotki, we know what brings luck on New Year's Eve!
Of course, all New Year's Eve and New Year's superstitions should be taken with a grain of salt. Fortunately, at Klekotki, we know what to do on New Year's Eve and how to welcome the new year well. If you dream of a champagne celebration and at the same time seek relaxation in the SPA and long for close contact with nature, New Year's Eve at Klekotki in Warmia will certainly meet your expectations. As part of the package, we provide a festive dinner with a special menu from the Chef, a New Year's Eve ball with a DJ, a ceremonial toast at midnight, a gift voucher to the SPA, and access to the wellness area with a jacuzzi, sauna, and gym. Celebrate the arrival of the new year in beautiful natural surroundings!