Editorial

How can we make 2021 better and brighter? Maybe with a few good luck tricks

Saturday, December 26, 2020

There are a lot of superstitions surrounding New Year’s and what might make 2021 brighter and better than 2020.

There are probably a lot of beans and cornbread planned around here for the upcoming holiday.

They’re said to bring luck, and some of our neighbors might be wondering if not enough of us engaged in this tradition at the close of 2019.

If you’re looking at Jan. 1, 2021, and thinking a little extra luck might not hurt, here are some other traditions you might consider:

Some Eastern Europeans believe putting money under the rug before the turn of the New Year will guarantee a prosperous future.

In Brazil, wearing white clothing to bring peace of mind and jumping in the ocean are supposed to make for better luck. (We’re not sure the Black River would be a good substitute for that second part, especially in Missouri in December.)

In the Philippines, scattering coins around the room at midnight, keeping the lights on and having round fruit on the table are supposed to improve your chances of good fortune.

Latin Americans also have a variety of traditions, like eating 12 grapes at midnight, rolling a suitcase around the block to bring more adventure in the New Year, or counting money at the end of the night for prosperity.

Residents of Denmark might celebrate the evening breaking dishes on the doorsteps of their friends and family (that might happen here too come New Year’s Eve, but we’re not sure it will be for good luck).

Many countries, including Denmark, also believe taking a “leap” at midnight will kick the year off on the right foot.

There are more — like what color underwear will bring the type of luck you hope for next year — but they all share one thing in common, the desire to have some sort of control over our destiny, to create a positive influence that will carry us through the next 12 months.

We can’t really say if hopping waves in the frigid waters of Wappapello Lake or sacrificing grandma’s good dinner plates to the New Year will bring us luck.

But some of us might be willing to give anything a try at this point.

However you choose to celebrate the New Year, please be safe, be responsible and be happy.

— The Daily American Republic

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: