Reading about the many
superstitions associated with Chinese New Year made me think of the
superstitions that I grew up with.
First day of the new year you
had Hoppin' John: Black-eyed peas and ham hocks is a Southern staple thought to
bring good luck.
Eating greens is reputed to bring money; eating
cornbread might bring wealth.
Other Superstitions.
Loud
noises, including fireworks and gunshots, scare away evil spirits and bring good
luck on New Year's Eve.
Don't put up a new calendar or write in a new
diary before the New Year begins.
Empty pockets and empty cupboards warn
of a year of poverty.
All debts should be paid by the new year, but don't
pay bills or lend money on New Year's Day.
The doors to a house must all be opened at midnight to let
the old year escape unimpeded before the New Year enters.
New Year's Day
babies bring prosperity to a household.
Clocks should be wound as soon
as the New Year begins, but all cleaning should be done early on Dec. 31 to
avoid sweeping out good luck.
Breaking something on Jan. 1 could mean a
year of wreckage.
This next one about a man entering a
house first was very important to her.
The first person to enter your home
after midnight will influence the year you will have. Ideally, that person
should be tall, dark, handsome and bearing gifts. If the first person to enter
is a red-haired female, that is a sign of bad luck for the year ahead. In fact,
females of all hair shades should be discouraged from being the first person in
the door.
We were never allowed to sweep out after dark, you were sweeping someone out of the family.
If you spill salt, quickly throw a pinch over your left shoulder to avert bad luck and death.
