Saying goodbye to the New Year is not just about having fun, as it has been associated with a whole range of superstitions since ancient times. For example, would you have guessed that the loud celebrations and blaring trumpets that still go on today are meant to ward off evil spirits?
Let’s see what beliefs are associated with the last day of the year and the first day of the new year, or what is advisable and what is not to be done to start 2022 in peace!
New Year traditions in Korea:
There are two superstitions associated with the first day of January. One of them is that you shouldn’t wash your hair on this day, because you’ll wash off your luck. The other belief is that shovels and rakes propped up against the walls of the house will protect the occupants from evil.
7 things NOT to do on New Year’s Eve:
- Washing – superstition says it takes away your luck,
- Spreading clothes for drying – it’s associated with death, so people tried to avoid it on these two days.
- Arguing, quarreling – if you do quarrel, the next year will be spent in turmoil.
- Pouring out garbage – don’t do it on either day, because you will pour out your luck with it!
- Eating food made of poultry – if you do so on New Year’s Eve, your luck will be ruined.
- Sickness – take care not to call a doctor on New Year’s Eve, because it is believed that you will be sick all year round.
- Sadness – spend New Year’s Eve in a happy mood, because it will affect the new year!
7 things to DO on New Year’s Eve and the next day:
- Eat pork – pigs are good luck.
- On the first day of the year, eat foods made of small-grained ingredients like lentils, rice, millet – they bring plenty of money into the house in the new year.
- Spread rice and lentils at midnight and put some in your pockets too – they will bring you money in the new year!
- Have fun! – What happens on the first day of the year is repeated throughout the year.
- On the morning of New Year’s Day, wash in cold water – superstition has it that this will keep you healthy all year round.
- Cut a loaf of bread – the family will always have something to eat.
- Let’s toast with champagne – bubbles bring abundance in the New Year.