If you have New Year’s Day off and find yourself surrounded by laundry or leftover Christmas clutter, you might feel inclined to kick off the New Year with a clean home. However, some superstitions caution against cleaning on New Year’s Eve or Day, as it could bring bad luck for the year ahead. According to these beliefs, avoiding cleaning until Jan. 2 is advisable to avoid any negative consequences.
The superstition surrounding cleaning and laundry on New Year’s is deeply rooted in various myths and traditions. Some believe that washing clothes on this day could wash away any good fortune for the next 365 days. Similarly, removing items from the home could symbolize removing future prosperity, or even risk bringing about tragedy, such as the loss of a loved one in the upcoming year.
This superstition is said to have originated in China, where similar beliefs are observed during the Lunar New Year celebrations. It is customary to thoroughly clean homes in the days leading up to the new year to dispel any lingering bad luck, but cleaning during the Lunar New Year is considered risky as it may remove accumulated good luck.
To attract good luck on New Year’s, various cultures have their own traditions. In Spain, eating twelve grapes at midnight is believed to bring luck, while in Denmark, breaking plates on doorsteps symbolizes good fortune. Greeks smash a pomegranate for life and luck, and Brazilians seek luck by hopping seven waves at midnight. In the U.S., kissing at midnight and watching the ball drop in Times Square are common traditions believed to bring luck and strengthen relationships.
The iconic ball drop in New York City dates back to the 1800s when time balls were used to inform the public of the time. The Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball, introduced in 1907 by The New York Times, has since become a symbol of celebration and hope for the new year.
Ultimately, how you choose to celebrate the new year is up to you, but if you’re superstitious, you might want to hold off on the cleaning for a bit.
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