Funny dos and don’ts for New Year’s Day in Hungary

In Hungary, it is believed that everything we do on the first day of the New Year will affect the whole year ahead. On this occasion, we collected the most important Hungarian superstitions and traditions that can bring us luck and wellbeing for 2022.

Just like in every country, the warm welcome of the New Year is also surrounded by many traditions in Hungary. However, we should pay attention to how we spend the first day of the year. According to Hungarian beliefs, our actions on 1st January can attract or even drive away good luck. Let’s see which are the funniest dos and don’ts on New Year’s Day in Hungary.

Dos

Spend the day doing what you want to do all year long!

Hungarians believe that what we do on the first day of the year sets the tone for the whole year. Therefore, we should spend the 1st of January with pleasant activities that can bring us joy for the new year. Furthermore, we should avoid arguments and stress on that special day.

Say goodbye to the old year with a lot of fun!

It is believed that loud voices, honking, and singing will chase away the troubles for the New Year. By opening doors and windows, we can get rid of our sorrows and all our bad feelings that hurt us in the old year.

Eat lentils and pork!

In Hungarian folk traditions, grain crops such as lentils, rice or beans represent coins, while pigs are seen to dig good luck out of the ground. Therefore, eating them on 1st January can bring abundance and a lot of money in the New Year.

Put money or lentils in your pockets!

Not only lentils can bring us great fortune in the new year. It is believed that if your pockets are full on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, you will be rich all year round. Therefore, superstitious Hungarians put coins and lentils in their pockets in order to avoid financial difficulties in the upcoming year.

Stretch the strudel as long as possible!

As Szilveszterprogramok reports, no matter what kind of strudel you make, you should stretch it as long as possible as it symbolises long life.

Invite a cheerful friend!

If you are thinking of sharing your long strudel with a friend, make sure they are cheerful. Hungarians believe that a cheerful male guest as your first visitor in the New Year can bring luck for the whole year. On the other hand, if your guest is sad, it can drive away luck and bring sadness all year round.

Give a kiss to your love!

On New Year’s Eve, kissing the one you love when it turns midnight will bring even more intensive love throughout the year.

Don’ts

Don’t work!

Based on the fact that New Year’s Day can affect the whole year ahead, the majority of Hungarians avoid work on that day. This way, they make sure that the new year will also bring them some rest.

Don’t eat poultry!

On New Year’s Day, we should avoid poultry meat, as some beliefs say that it will drive away luck.

Don’t use scissors!

Do not use scissors on that special day. In Hungarian folk traditions, it is believed that they can cut your luck!

Don’t clean the house!

On the last day of the year, it is forbidden to wash, sew, iron, vacuum or do any other household chores, as these activities might take your luck away.

Don’t take out the rubbish!

Don’t feel bad if you do not take out the rubbish on 1st January. According to Hungarian superstition, you may throw away your good luck if you do so on New Year’s Day…