The Powerball jackpot is at $800 million and you better believe all your tíos, primos, abuelos, and even amigos are buying these tickets and starting their win-it-big rituals. If you want a shot this is what you do according to la familia’s superstitions.
Begin by praying to San Expedito, the patron saint of good luck.
It is almost the New Year. That means that we are almost done with the dumpster-fire of a year known as 2020. We are all grappling with a virus that has spread across the world and there has been a long list of bad news this year. So, why not try one or all of these traditions to bring good luck in 2021.
In Ecuador, you burn dolls or photos of things you didn’t like from 2020. It is believed that this will guarantee that you won’t have the same issue in the next year. Honestly, it makes sense to wish things to be different in 2021.
The underwear you have on when the clock strikes midnight might be more important than you think. In several Latino cultures, wearing red underwear for New Year’s will usher in a year of love and luck in romance. Yellow underwear will bring a year of financial success. No word yet on what happens if you wear one pair of each but you might as well give it a shot.
This is the most common tradition and it is so tasty. You have to eat 12 grapes at midnight to bring a year of good luck. Be careful though. If you have a particularly sour grape it means that month will be a rough one. A fun way to do it is to put the grapes on your champagne flute, down the champagne and eat the grapes.
Start the year on a good note. Do no wear black when celebrating New Year’s because that will usher in a year of bad luck and we want to make sure we leave that in 2020. Wearing white is a good way to get the kind of luck you want out of 2021. Forget the little black dress. Try a nice white jumpsuit to start the year.
Now, we all know that you do a wonderful job of keeping a sparkling clean house every day of the year. That is just how mom raised you. However, give it an extra scrub to make sure you start on the best possible foot. They do say that the dirtier and more cluttered your space the more cluttered your life is. What could it hurt?
Throw A Bucket Of Water Out Of The Window (Or Door)
All of that bad energy from the year is still in the house. There are so many ways to get rid of it but one of the best ways is to fill a bucket with water and throw it out the window (or door). The water has the power to get that bad energy and release it from your home.
We haven’t been able to go anywhere in 2020 because of the virus and all of the lockdowns. Try this one again and maybe there will be some travel in 2021. Take a suitcase and walk it around the block. Or you can walk around the house or apartment. That should set you up for a little bit of travel next year.
At some point during our formative years, we all heard an old wives’ tale or two, right? Some seemed innocent enough — think “eating bread crust will make your hair turn curly” or “cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis.”
But actually, lots of these old wives’ tales came with some extra baggage that may have done a number on our collective psyche. Sure, they may have seemed harmless when we first heard them, they’ve managed to worm themselves into our thought patterns and maybe even created a few bad habits along the way. But don’t blame abuela, she too was passed down this knowledge before she passed it on to you.
These superstitions get passed down from generation to generation, and often enough they’re so effective they get snap us into total compliance. But few of us know why we’re so fearful or the reason behind them.
Nevertheless, these old wives tales are part of Latino culture.
Vick’s Vapor Rub Will Cure Everything
@AFRAIDOFTHEGAYS / TWITTER
Sure, you may know it as Vaporub or something totally different depending on where you grew up, but no matter your background, we can agree this menthol pomade has been hailed as a cure all by abuelas everywhere.
Sure the ointment may make us feel better (placebo anyone?) but it actually can be deadly if ingested and is toxic when used improperly.
Having A Baby Daughter Will Steal Your Beauty
Credit: Shutterstock Images
This sends several problematic messages. First of all, it implies there is something inherently wrong with having a daughter — which is obviously ridiculous. I swear this sounds like something a man who wanted a strapping young boy to “carry on his good name” started spreading.This old wives’ tale would have you believe beauty is entirely physical or superficial. But beauty is many things: mental, physical, emotional, psychological… none of which can be stripped away by the natural and, it must be said, beautiful act of giving birth to a baby.
You Can’t Make Tamales When You’re Angry
Credit: Pixabay
According to this old wives’ tale, if you even attempt to make tamales when you’re enojada…they just won’t turn out right. And nobody’s wants to work so hard on tamales for them to end up flat and flavorless.
Opening An Umbrella Inside Is The Worst Luck
Seriously, this one I believe in so much I freak out at even the thought of it happening by accident. This is another superstition that crosses cultures but leave it to Latinos to add in another layer – if you do this, you won’t get married.
Going Out With Wet Hair When It’s Cold Will Make You Sick
If you grew up in a Latino household, you can bet you’re used to hearing your mom or abuelita scolding you for going outside with wet hair. But this myth has been debunked more times than you’ll eat pozole when you do actually have a cold. Colds and the flu come from viruses (and some bacterias) – plain and simple.
You’ll Never Get Married If A Broom Touches Your Feet
Credit: Pixabay
Basically, if you’re single and ready to mingle, don’t go near any brooms. This old wives tale says that if someone is sweeping and they accidentally brush your feet with the broom, you’ll end up single forever.
To Find Love, All You Need Is Four Eggs
Credit: Pixabay
To draw someone to you, you need 4 eggs: break two in corners, and one more at the door of the person you want to attract. The last one put inside a white cup and place it under your bed. That’s it. True love.
Cutting Your Hair During A Full Moon Could Mean…?
Credit: Pixabay
It’s believed that cutting your hair during a full moon could actually make it grow faster. Is it true? Well, maybe. The long-trusted Farmers Almanac actually lists the best dates to cut your hair based on the lunar calendar…so maybe?
Shaving Your Legs Causes the Hair to Grow Back Darker
Credit: Pixabay
Let’s be clear: there’s nothing wrong with not shaving. This old tale would have you believe that having thicker or darker hair anywhere on your body is cause for major concern. The reality is that cutting does not stimulate new hair growth.
Brooms Can Help Determine Your Social Life
Credit: Pixabay
Again, with the brooms. This one says that if you put a broom behind the door, your guests will leave sooner. And if a broom falls, it can tell you a lot about your visit depending on the direction it falls. Backward = bad visit. Forward = good visit.
Putting Your Purse On The Floor
Credit; Growing Up Blackxican
“A purse on the floor is money our the door.” This isn’t specific to Latino families, in fact, it’s very common belief across Asia as well. But both cultures share the believe that if you place your purse on the floor, you’ll soon be losing some money.
Itchy Palms And Your Finances
Credit: Pixabay
This is another very common wives tale across cultures but Latinos add a unique twist and get very specific. Basically, if your right palm itches you’ll be coming into some coins. Meanwhile, if it’s the left – be prepared to be a little less wealthy since you’ll likely be giving money away.
Heartburn During Pregnancy Can Lead To A Head Full Of Hair
Credit: Pinterest
There are soooo many superstitions related to pregnancy but this one is definitely interesting. Woman struggle with all sorts of symptoms during pregnancy including heartburn. So this one stands to reason if you’re dealing with heartburn, your baby will be born with beautiful locks of hair.
If You Drop a Biscuit, It is a Sure Sign Your Husband Will Be Poor
Credit: The Pioneer Woman
This one is straight up laughable but for some reason is still all to common. I mean let’s dissect this one real quick: not all little girls are going to grow up to marry a man. Nor will every little girl even want to get married. Then there’s the whole issue with thinking that women only value wealth in their potential mate. Yea, this one has got to go.
