Moving into a new home is not just about transitioning into a new space; it’s also an opportunity to invite positive energy, prosperity, and blessings. Across different cultures, people have used specific items they believe bring luck, happiness, and protection into their new dwellings. Here, we’ll explore ten popular lucky items to bring into a new home, how they are believed to affect the people who bring them, and why so many people continue to adopt these traditions.
Bread and Salt
In many Eastern European cultures, especially in Russia, Poland, and Ukraine, bread and salt are symbolic of hospitality, abundance, and good luck. Bread represents the hope that the household will never go hungry, while salt is a protector that wards off evil spirits. This tradition often involves offering bread and salt to new homeowners or bringing these items during housewarming celebrations.
Why People Believe in It: Bread and salt have been valuable resources in many societies, symbolizing sustenance and preservation. As basic yet essential elements, they represent a wish for the household to remain prosperous, well-provided, and safe from harm.
Rice or Grains
In many Asian cultures, including India, China, and Japan, rice is a powerful symbol of prosperity and fertility. When moving into a new house, sprinkling rice or grains around the home is believed to attract abundance. This practice represents fertility, wealth, and the hope for a plentiful life within the new home.
Why People Believe in It: Rice and grains are staple foods in these regions, representing life and sustenance. By bringing these into a new home, individuals believe they’re inviting in wealth, health, and stability for the family that will reside there.
Coins or a Money Plant
Coins are used in multiple cultures to symbolize financial luck, while a money plant, often given as a gift, is believed to bring wealth and prosperity. The money plant is particularly popular in China and Southeast Asia. Many people place it by windows or in areas with lots of sunlight, as they believe this boosts its energy-attracting properties.
Why People Believe in It: Coins represent wealth, and the money plant, with its lush green leaves, symbolizes growth and financial luck. People believe that having either or both in the home invites good fortune and ensures financial security.
Candles or Incense
In places like Thailand, India, Japan, and even Western countries, candles or incense are common items to bring into a new home. They’re believed to purify the space, creating a calm and peaceful environment. Many use specific scents, such as lavender or sandalwood, known to have calming properties that reduce stress and anxiety.
Why People Believe in It: Candles and incense have long been associated with spiritual cleansing. Lighting them helps individuals feel at ease, believing they’re filling the home with positive energy and dispelling any lingering negativity from previous inhabitants.
Bamboo Plant
The bamboo plant, often called “Lucky Bamboo,” is a popular item in Chinese culture and Feng Shui practices. Bamboo represents resilience, growth, and adaptability, as it can thrive in various conditions. Many people believe placing bamboo in specific areas of the home encourages health, happiness, and harmony among household members.
Why People Believe in It: Bamboo is highly resilient and has an aesthetically pleasing form, which aligns well with Feng Shui principles of creating a balanced environment. People believe that the plant attracts good fortune, symbolizes flexibility, and promotes longevity and prosperity.
Fresh Flowers
Fresh flowers are a universally loved item to bring into a new home. In the U.K., U.S., and many Asian cultures, flowers represent beauty, freshness, and positivity. They’re also believed to enhance the energy of a space, helping a house feel more like a “home” and providing joy and beauty for those who live there.
Why People Believe in It: Flowers brighten up any space and are often associated with love, purity, and renewal. People believe that they can uplift the home’s atmosphere, promote a sense of well-being, and welcome fresh, positive energy.
Citrus Fruits
In Chinese and Mediterranean cultures, citrus fruits are believed to cleanse a new home and attract positive energy. The vibrant colors of oranges and lemons are associated with good fortune, and many believe that displaying citrus fruits or even using citrus oils around the home wards off bad luck and invites prosperity.
Why People Believe in It: Citrus fruits have a refreshing, energizing fragrance that many find uplifting. People in these cultures believe that the fruit’s natural zest drives away negative energy, filling the space with brightness and luck.
Honey or Sugar
In Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, honey or sugar is commonly brought into a new home to symbolize a sweet, happy life ahead. Honey, in particular, represents sweetness and joy, while sugar is associated with abundance and pleasure. Many bring these items as gifts for new homeowners or incorporate them into their first meals in the home.
Why People Believe in It: Honey and sugar are natural preservatives and sweeteners, symbolizing happiness, sweetness, and preservation. People believe these items help ensure a life filled with joy, sweetness, and harmony in the new home.
Rosemary or Sage
Popular in the U.S., Mexico, and Mediterranean countries, burning rosemary or sage is a cleansing ritual believed to rid the home of negative energy. This practice, often referred to as “smudging,” involves wafting the smoke throughout the house to purify it and create a fresh start. Sage, in particular, is associated with healing and spiritual strength.
Why People Believe in It: Rosemary and sage have been used for centuries in spiritual rituals due to their purported cleansing properties. People believe that using these herbs to “smudge” their homes will remove any negative or stagnant energy, creating a balanced and positive environment.
Horseshoe or Evil Eye Charm
The horseshoe is a popular good luck symbol in Ireland, the U.S., and the U.K., while the Evil Eye charm is used in Greece, Turkey, and Middle Eastern countries for protection. Traditionally, the horseshoe is hung over doorways to ward off bad spirits, while the Evil Eye charm is displayed to protect against envy or negative intentions.
Why People Believe in It: Horseshoes and Evil Eye charms are deeply rooted in folklore and cultural beliefs. People view these items as protective amulets, believing they can guard the home from misfortune and keep it safe from harm.
The Cultural Beliefs Behind These Lucky Items
Many of these lucky items stem from ancient traditions, religious beliefs, and cultural practices that people continue to follow to this day. They carry with them symbolism tied to protection, prosperity, love, and health—elements that people desire to bring into a new living space. These beliefs often act as emotional anchors, helping people feel more connected, safe, and at peace in their new surroundings.
For example, the act of smudging with sage or burning candles is not only a symbolic gesture but also a therapeutic one, helping individuals create a sense of calm and control. Similarly, the belief in rice as a symbol of prosperity provides comfort in knowing that one’s needs will be met in the new home. Such items reinforce the hope for positive outcomes and stability in what can be an otherwise stressful and uncertain time.
Why People Continue to Adopt These Traditions
Belief in lucky items is not simply about superstition; it’s often about creating a ritual that helps people transition into a new phase of life. Moving homes can be a daunting task, filled with logistical challenges and emotional upheavals. Adopting these traditions offers people comfort, a sense of continuity, and a way to bring some familiarity into a new environment.
For many, these items have become a way to build a connection with their new home, fostering a sense of belonging. For others, they provide peace of mind, making them feel protected and positive about the future. These small, meaningful gestures carry personal significance and add an element of intentionality, transforming the act of moving into a mindful and auspicious experience.
Final Thoughts
Bringing lucky items into a new home serves as a reminder of the hopes and positive intentions people have for their lives. Whether it’s bread and salt for abundance, fresh flowers for beauty, or a money plant for prosperity, each item reflects universal desires for well-being, safety, and happiness. These items are more than mere traditions; they’re rituals that help people feel at home in unfamiliar places and mark the beginning of a new chapter with positivity and hope.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do people bring lucky items when moving into a new home?
To attract positive energy, prosperity, and harmony to their new space.
Which cultures practice bringing lucky items to a new home, and what items are popular?
Cultures worldwide do, with bread and salt in Eastern Europe, bamboo in China, and the Evil Eye in the Mediterranean.
Are these lucky items only for people who believe in superstition?
No, they also offer comfort and create a welcoming atmosphere, regardless of belief.
How do specific items like rice, coins, and sage help bring luck and positivity?
Each item symbolizes abundance, wealth, or purification, enhancing the home’s energy.
What are some practical ways to incorporate these lucky items in a new home?
Place them meaningfully, like salt in the kitchen, plants in bright rooms, or sage to cleanse each space.