December 31: time to reflect on what happened in the last twelve months and, above all, to think about good resolutions for the year that is about to begin.

Join the gym or start a diet, spend more time with the family, leave that job that makes us unhappy and commit to devoting ourselves to what we always dream of…

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Good intentions are important in order to achieve our goals in 2024, but… what if we give them extra help?

You probably know several rituals that claim to attract fortune and make it easier to start the year on the right foot: eating 12 grapes at midnight, jumping 7 waves, burning large dolls in the street…

But there are many more. At BBC Mundo we remind you of some of the cabalas and amulets that millions of people use and put into practice in the hope of ensuring a new year full of happiness and prosperity.

1. The color of the underwear

Choosing the underwear we will wear to welcome the new year may be more important than we think.

The most superstitious claim that red underwear is what ensures love over the next year, while The yellow one is the one that will ensure that we do not lack money.

There are different theories about whether the ritual is more effective if the underwear is gifted or brand new, or even if it is only used for that night.

The color of the underwear we wear at the end of the year can mark our next 12 months. (GETTY IMAGES).

2. Brand new clothes

What there is usually the greatest consensus on is the belief that Wearing a piece of clothing on the last night of the year can bring luck in the future.

At least that’s what those who decide to wear something new that day believe, since it is said that this way you will be able to get new clothes all year round and you won’t be short of money.

Or, for others, it is just another reason to buy a piece of clothing and show it off at the long New Year’s Eve party.

Many people decide to wear new clothes on the last night of the year. (GETTY IMAGES).

3. Take out the suitcases

If your dream in the new year is to travel the world, the suitcase ritual is appropriate for you.

After midnight, grab a large suitcase and take it outside to walk around the block where you live..

Those who believe in this ritual assure that the bigger the walk, the further you will travel in the coming year. And they assure that carrying your passport in your suitcase is important if you want to travel abroad.

Walking your suitcases after midnight is the favorite ritual of those who want to travel in the new year. (GETTY IMAGES).

4. Sweep away bad energies

Many people believe that doing a deep cleaning at home on December 31 and throwing away what no longer serves us helps so that all the good things multiply in the year ahead.

But, especially, the most superstitious believe that sweeping is the best ritual to remove bad vibrations from the home.

The important thing, they say, is sweep from inside the house towards the front door to expel all the negativity accumulated during the year. Some even throw the broom outside the house after cleaning.

Many believe that sweeping in the direction of the main door of the house serves to expel the bad energies retained in the home during the year. (GETTY IMAGES).

5. Throw water

Also with the desire to get rid of bad vibrations and cleanse the energy of the home, many people throw a glass of water outside the house.

Some claim that it guarantees happiness “avoid tears” during the new year.

And those who blindly believe in this ritual, in fact, are not satisfied with just one glass and often throw an entire bucket of water out. Just in case.

Throwing water outside the house also helps cleanse the home of bad vibes in the new year, according to those who practice this ritual. (GETTY IMAGES).

6. Eat lentils

It’s not as popular as the classic 12 Grapes at Midnight, but eating lentils at the beginning of the new year is a tradition for those who want to attract good fortune and abundance.

In Italy and more and more countries, it is believed that eating this healthy food symbolizes the desire to have a long and healthy life and guarantees that there will be no shortage of food for the next 12 months.

Others associate them with the image of ancient gold coins, and there is even a tradition of giving a purse full of lentils in the belief that they will eventually become coins.

In countries like Italy, eating lentils is a tradition to attract abundance and health in the new year. (GETTY IMAGES).

7. Write a list of positive or negative things

Not only on the night of San Juan: the ritual of writing a list with past events or wishes for the future is also popular to start the new year.

There are those who previously write on paper all their wishes for the next 12 months. At midnight, they open it in the hope that they will be fulfilled.

Others They write down all the negative things they want to get rid of and burn the paper until it remains in ashes to start the year with optimism and renewed energy.