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With everything that can go wrong when moving, it can’t hurt to welcome in a bit of luck. A new home represents a fresh beginning, so it’s no wonder that there are plenty of rituals and superstitions surrounding the transition. Ancient folklore and long-held cultural traditions focus on ways that new homeowners can build positive energy, live in sync with the environment, and even fend off evil spirits. Get luck on your side by considering these nine common superstitions and rituals while shopping for a house and getting settled in your new place.
1. Look for lucky eights.
For extra luck, consider buying a home with an eight in the house number or listing price. A symbol of infinity, the numeral eight signifies a flow of positive energy. In numerology, it is tied to abundance and prosperity. It is considered the luckiest number in China because the pronunciation of the word “eight” in Chinese languages sounds similar to the word for prosper or become rich.
2. Stay away from unlucky 13.
While eight signifies good luck, it’s also well known that 13 represents the opposite in Western culture. In fact, one in 10 people experience triskaidekaphobia, or a fear of the number 13. Designers have even gone as far as to skip 13 when numbering floors. This number had a bad rep long before the notorious horror film “Friday the 13th.” The idea that 13 is bad luck goes back to the Bible: At the Last Supper, Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to sit at the table. House hunters, whether superstitious or not, would be wise to consider the effect that some numbers may have on resale potential down the road. For instance, in Chinese tradition, number four is the one to avoid, and don’t even ask dubious shoppers about a house number of 666.
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3. Opt for front door feng shui.
Feng shui originated in Chinese culture, specifically Taoism, and is a traditional practice of arranging a living space to be in harmony with the natural world. It involves balancing our internal energy with our environment. There are a few tenets of the tradition that shoppers will want to keep in mind while looking for a home, starting at the front door, which is referred to as the mouth of qi, or universal life force energy. The entrance should be free of clutter and clearly visible to visitors, welcoming a positive energy flow. It’s even better if the entry is red, which represents good luck and protection. Feng shui also favors east-facing windows since the sun rises in the east, symbolizing new beginnings and family.
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4. Steer clear of a cemetery view.
Despite the quiet setting, living near a cemetery is thought to attract bad luck in many cultures, and it is considered poor feng shui to be surrounded by representations of death. It doesn’t help that movies often portray cemeteries as creepy, threatening places, haunted by spirits. If superstitions aren’t enough of a deterrent, a study from Realtor.com found that properties near a cemetery have a 12 percent lower value than those that aren’t.
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5. Avoid a house with a scary past.
Some shoppers believe that a home with a gruesome past doesn’t bode well for the future. Squeamish house hunters may avoid properties with histories of deaths or violent crimes, or tales of hauntings. According to the National Association of Realtors, these troubled histories may reduce property value. As in many states it isn’t mandatory to disclose such stigmas, superstitious buyers may want to talk to neighbors or do an online search to ferret out disturbing stories.
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6. Pay attention to lucky symbols.
Don’t discount the presence of a pineapple or horseshoe entry decoration at a potential new home. Both are said to bring good luck and fortune in many cultures. Horseshoes are also believed to ward off evil spirits, and a blue porch keeps ghosts away. Some also believe that placing an acorn on a windowsill of a new house will bring prosperous new beginnings and protect against lightning.
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7. Pick the best move day.
Those planning to move in on a Friday may want to reconsider. In Western lore, moving into a house on Fridays, Saturdays, and rainy days is considered bad luck. The belief is that moving on these days doesn’t leave homeowners enough time to settle into their new surroundings. For good luck, according to Indian tradition, choose a Thursday for a better start.
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8. Start off on the right foot.
Some superstitions aim to give new homeowners a more promising start upon arrival. In many cultures, the right side is considered lucky, so it is considered good luck to step onto a new property with the right foot first. According to Jewish tradition, bringing in bread and salt— essential food and seasoning—will welcome wealth and prosperity.
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9. Clear out the past.
When moving into a new place, it’s always a good idea to sweep away negative energy. Just make sure to do it with a new broom. Purchasing a new broom is said to give homeowners a fresh start in their new digs. Smudging a new home with herbs is another common way to clear out negative energy. This ritual comes from indigenous tradition and involves burning a fragrant herb like sage, which is thought to carry away negative energy and bring new intentions into the air.
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