New Year's Myths and Traditions

The December 31st and January 1st, The End and New Beginning.

Out with the old, in with the new!

Watch Night Services
The last church service in the old year and the first for the new year.

Blackeyed Peas (Hopin John) New Year's Day
Considered good luck since they kept Africans fed during the civil war. Considered worthless cowpeas by Yankee soldiers, they were not eaten nor destroyed.

Dried Blackeyed peas in your wallet or purse
Extra money for the new year.

Collars, Mustards or Turnips Greens
Eaten on New Year's day brings money.

Kissing at midnight
What's done at midnight, new year's eve, is a good omen.

First Footing
New Year's day, "Do not allow a woman to be the first person to enter your house", it is bad luck. It is believed, the first person to set-foot in your house should be a good man w/a sprig of evergreen.

Do Not wash on New Years Day!
It is bad luck and believed to wash-out a family member.

Loud noises, Bell Ringing, Fireworks and Shooting
12 midnight, New Year's eve, "Shooting in the air" and making loud noises at the stroke of midnight is believed to have scared demonic forces away.

Clean house and paid Debts
Start out with a clean slate.

Myths and Traditions indicating what's to come throughout the year.

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Folklore and Superstitions