Spain is a generally a superstitious country and New Year's Eve is probably one of the most superstitious days of the year. Practically everyone participates in one or more superstitious rituals, whether it be eating the twelve grapes or toasting with a ring in your glass of champagne, everyone is wishing for better times or at least for things to not get any worse. Although it may seem silly for some, these little gestures do help many enter the new year with higher morale and greater hope for times to come... Will you join in with any this year? Here are the top 10 Spanish New Year's Eve superstitions...
1.EAT ALL OF THE 12 GRAPES
The eating of the grapes is one of the most ingrained rituals in Spanish culture on New Year’s Eve. So that the new incoming year will be a success you must chew and swallow all twelve grapes. If you are able, try to visualise how you would like your new year to be in between each grape. They say that this visualisation ensures good results…
2. SOMETHING RED...
Traditionally the colour red has always symbolised prosperity, especially in love, so it is no surprise that in Spain people choose to wear red underwear or a piece of red lingerie on New Year’s Eve, hoping that it will help bring them luck and prosperity for the following 365 days.
3. A RING IN A GLASS OF CAVA
Just before you toast the New Year you should place a gold ring in your cava / champagne glass. You need to be very careful with this tradition especially when it’s time to drink! On more than one occasion someone has swallowed the ring due to the emotion of the moment. It is said that this simple gesture will bring money throughout the following year, so it’s a popular custom all over the country.
4. WISH LIST
This tradition dictates that before dinner one must write a list with three wishes for the New Year. Fold up the list and place it somewhere on your body where it touches your skin throughout the dinner and once the clock strikes twelve, burn the list so that your wished come true during the year.
5. KISS SOMEONE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX
If you want to find a partner in the New Year this gesture may well help you. Tradition has it that the first person you kiss in the New Year should be of the opposite sex, that way it will help you find your other half even quicker.
6. RIGHT FOOT...
Many people use the phrase in Spain “enter with your right foot” and many take it to the limits on New Year’s Eve. It means that the first foot to step and touch the floor as soon as the countdown has been completed must be your right foot. This way you will guarantee good luck throughout the year.
7. CANDLES
This tradition dictates that the colours of the candles invoke a certain fortune: Blue will bring peace and tranquillity, Red will bring passion, Yellow brings abundance, green will bring good health etc. So depending on what you are hoping for, decorate your house with coloured candles.
8. ALL THE LIGHTS TURNED ON
It is believed that with all the lights on in your house, no corner is left unlit. So when midnight is approaching have all the lights on in your house, this way the New Year will come with clarity and without lies or negative energy.
9. LENTILS
This tradition is imported from Italy where they say if you eat lentils during the last day of the year or immediately after midnight (even if it is just a spoon) you will guarantee prosperity for the following year.
10. A BUCKET OF WATER
For those who believe in energy, this will probably be your favourite. It involves filling a bucket with water throughout the morning of the last day of the year. When it reached midnight it is believed that the bucket has absorbed all of the bad energy in the household and consequently it is emptied down the toilet or down a drain never to be seen again.