Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone, but did you know that people around the world have unusual and surprising rituals to bring good luck, protection, and prosperity? From symbolic foods to ancient superstitions, these traditions aim to make a house feel like home—sometimes in ways you’d never expect! Would you try any of these? Whether you’re a believer in old traditions or just curious about global customs, these fascinating housewarming rituals might just change the way you think about moving in.
Boiling Milk and Rice
In India, a common housewarming ritual involves boiling milk until it overflows, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. Some also cook rice in the milk to represent long-lasting happiness. The first meal cooked in the new kitchen is considered significant, and it is often shared with family and friends. Many believe this practice invites wealth and ensures that the household will never go hungry. Spilling the milk intentionally is thought to bring extra good luck. However, letting the milk burn is considered a bad omen. To enhance the effect, the ceremony is often performed with chanting and prayers. Some families even add sugar or saffron for additional blessings.
Rolling a Pineapple Inside
A rather unusual ritual in Chinese culture involves rolling a pineapple into the home upon arrival. The pineapple, known as “ong lai” in Hokkien, sounds like “fortune comes” when spoken aloud. By rolling the fruit from the front door into the house, it is believed that good fortune will follow. Some people go a step further and chant prosperity-related phrases as they roll the pineapple. Others break the pineapple open afterward and consume it to further absorb the good luck. This practice is especially popular in Taiwan and among Chinese communities worldwide. Many believe the juicier the pineapple, the more fortune it brings. Some families even repeat the ritual annually.
Burning Sage or Incense
Many people burn sage or incense when moving into a new home to cleanse negative energy. This practice, known as smudging, is rooted in Native American traditions but has been widely adopted in modern spiritual practices. The belief is that the smoke removes lingering bad vibes and creates a fresh, positive environment. Some homeowners walk through every room with the smoldering sage to ensure a thorough cleanse. Windows and doors are usually left open to allow negative energy to escape. Different herbs, like lavender or frankincense, can be used for various benefits. Some also recite prayers or affirmations while performing the ritual. This practice is especially popular among those who believe in energy work and spiritual cleansing.
Placing Coins at Entryways
In many Asian cultures, placing coins near the entrance of a home symbolizes wealth and financial stability. Some homeowners bury coins under the threshold or tape them to the bottom of doormats. The idea is that money attracts more money, ensuring the household will never experience financial struggles. Some take it a step further by placing a red envelope with money inside a drawer or under a rug. The number of coins used is also significant, with numbers like eight or nine being considered particularly lucky. This practice is common in feng shui, the Chinese art of harmonizing living spaces. Many people continue this tradition even after settling in. Some also scatter coins in different rooms for extra prosperity.
Ringing a Bell
Ringing a bell throughout a new home is a common ritual in some cultures to dispel negative energy. The sound vibrations are believed to purify the space and invite positive energy. Some people walk through each room while ringing the bell, ensuring no corner is left untouched. In Hindu traditions, bells are often rung at temples and during rituals to ward off evil spirits. Tibetan singing bowls serve a similar purpose, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Some homeowners incorporate this practice into their daily routine to maintain good vibes. Bells with specific frequencies are said to be particularly effective in clearing stagnant energy. This ritual is especially popular among those who follow spiritual or meditative practices.
Entering With the Right Foot First
In many cultures, it is believed that stepping into a new home with the right foot first brings good fortune. This simple act is thought to set a positive tone for the household. Some people take it so seriously that they practice stepping through the doorway multiple times before officially entering. This belief stems from the idea that the right side is associated with positivity and strength. In contrast, stepping in with the left foot is believed to bring misfortune. Families often remind each other of this tradition as they move in. It’s a small, easy ritual, but one that many swear by. Some even extend this belief to business ventures and new experiences.
Sprinkling Salt
Sprinkling salt around the home, especially near doorways and windows, is a traditional practice for warding off evil spirits. Many cultures believe that salt has purifying and protective properties. Some homeowners take it a step further by creating a line of salt around the entire property to form a protective barrier. Others dissolve salt in water and use it to wipe down surfaces. This practice is common in European, Asian, and African traditions. In Japan, sumo wrestlers throw salt into the ring to cleanse it before a match. Some people leave bowls of salt in the corners of rooms to absorb negative energy. After a few days, they dispose of the salt outside to remove bad luck.
Bringing Bread and Salt First
A common Slavic tradition involves bringing bread and salt into a new home before anything else. Bread symbolizes abundance, while salt represents protection and purification. This ritual is meant to ensure that the home will always have food and will be safeguarded from negative influences. Some families place the bread and salt on a table and eat a small portion as part of the ceremony. In Jewish culture, a similar practice exists where bread and salt are used to bless a new dwelling. The tradition is also found in some Middle Eastern and European countries. Some people add honey to symbolize sweetness and harmony. It is often done with a short prayer or blessing for prosperity.
Releasing Animals Into the Home
In some cultures, releasing animals such as crickets, fish, or birds into a new home is thought to bring good luck and positive energy. In China, goldfish are considered symbols of wealth and are often placed in a new home’s aquarium. Some people release crickets because their chirping is associated with prosperity. Birds, especially doves, are released in certain cultures to bring peace and harmony. Some believe that if the animals thrive, it is a sign that the home is blessed. This practice is often linked to feng shui principles. Many people keep fish tanks or birdhouses after moving in. The presence of living creatures is believed to keep the home lively and full of energy.
Carrying a New Broom and Mop
Some people believe that bringing an old broom or mop into a new home carries over past negativity. Instead, they purchase a brand-new broom and mop to symbolize a fresh start. The idea is that old cleaning tools may carry bad luck or misfortunes from the previous home. Some homeowners even perform a symbolic sweeping of their new space to clear out lingering energy. This ritual is particularly popular in Latin American and Asian cultures. Some people also throw away their old sponges and cleaning cloths for the same reason. It represents leaving behind any past struggles or hardships. Others enhance the ritual by adding essential oils to their cleaning water for extra purification.
Tying a Red Ribbon on the Front Door
In some cultures, tying a red ribbon or fabric on the front door of a new home is believed to offer protection against bad spirits. Red is considered a powerful color in many traditions, symbolizing good fortune and warding off evil. This practice is particularly common in Chinese and Mediterranean cultures. Some people also place red charms or amulets near windows and doors. The ribbon can be tied to the doorknob, mailbox, or even above the entrance. Some households change the ribbon periodically to maintain its protective power. Others write blessings or prayers on the ribbon before tying it up. This simple act is thought to create a barrier against negativity.
Knocking on the Walls
A superstition in some cultures involves knocking on the walls of a new home before moving in. This act is believed to wake up and alert any spirits residing in the house, signaling the arrival of new occupants. In some traditions, people softly knock three times on every wall as a sign of respect. Some homeowners also combine this with saying a blessing or introducing themselves aloud. The practice is rooted in folklore that suggests some houses have protective spirits. By knocking, the new occupants seek permission to live in harmony with these entities. It is similar to the more common superstition of knocking on wood for luck. Some people follow this with burning incense or playing calming music.
Hanging a Horseshoe Over the Door
Hanging a horseshoe over the entrance of a home is a well-known tradition for bringing good luck. This practice is popular in many cultures, including Irish and Middle Eastern traditions. The horseshoe is usually placed with its ends pointing upward to catch and hold good fortune. Some believe that an iron horseshoe provides extra protection against bad energy. The placement of the horseshoe is considered important—some say it should face up to collect luck, while others say facing down lets the luck pour into the home. Many people gift a horseshoe to new homeowners as a sign of goodwill. Some families even pass down horseshoes through generations. The ritual remains a beloved symbol of protection and fortune.
Bringing a Rooster Inside
In some rural Filipino traditions, bringing a live rooster into the house is believed to ward off bad spirits. The crowing of the rooster is thought to drive away negative energy and unwanted supernatural entities. Some families let the rooster walk around each room before letting it outside. This practice is rooted in folk beliefs about animals sensing unseen energies. Others replace the live rooster with a rooster figurine for a more practical approach. The rooster symbolizes strength and protection. Some also believe it brings courage and vitality to the household. The ritual is often performed in combination with other blessings.
Displaying a Lucky Plant
Certain plants, such as bamboo or money trees, are placed inside a home to attract prosperity. In feng shui, plants are considered energy enhancers, believed to improve the flow of positive energy within a space. Homeowners often position them near entrances or in living rooms to welcome luck and success. Some people choose flowering plants, such as orchids, to represent happiness and harmony within the household. A thriving plant is thought to symbolize a thriving family, while a dying plant is seen as an omen of bad luck. The placement and type of plant can vary depending on cultural traditions and personal beliefs. This practice is particularly popular in Asian and Middle Eastern traditions, where greenery is often associated with wealth and vitality.