Why Do People Wear Red Underwear for New Year’s Luck?

Red underwear on New Year's Eve traces back to ancient Rome, where people wore red during their winter festival, Saturnalia. They saw red as a color of protection and good fortune, which set the foundation for connecting red clothing with luck during celebrations.

The tradition got more specific in medieval Europe. At that time, red dye was expensive and only the wealthy could afford red clothes. The Italian aristocracy started wearing red underwear specifically on New Year's Eve for luck. As red dye became cheaper, regular people picked up this practice and added their own meaning to it.

When Spanish and Italian immigrants moved to Latin America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they brought the European tradition of wearing red underwear for New Year's Eve with them. This custom found a natural home in countries like Mexico and Argentina because local cultures already linked red with life force and protection.

This connection between red and luck shows up in Chinese culture too. For thousands of years, Chinese people have put on red clothes for New Year celebrations to push away bad luck. While they don't focus on red underwear, their tradition reinforces the global link between red clothing and New Year's fortune.

Red underwear is just one of many lucky traditions. See what else you can do to start your year right.

Red links to powerful emotions and ideas across many cultures. In China and India, red means good fortune and prosperity. Ancient Egyptians and Romans saw red as life and power. These common meanings explain why red underwear became a New Year's tradition.

The color's connection to luck comes from its link to life itself. Blood is red, fire is red, and both mean survival and energy. Many cultures saw red as protection against evil or bad luck. In Rome, warriors wore red to feel strong. In China, people paint doors red to keep away bad spirits. These old beliefs support the idea that red clothing brings good fortune.

Red's tie to passion and love comes from physical responses. Your face gets red when you're excited or attracted to someone. Your heart beats faster, your skin gets warmer. People noticed these reactions and started using red to represent romance and desire. This adds another layer to the New Year's underwear tradition, since it's supposed to bring love and passion in the coming year.

Religious and spiritual groups often use red in their practices. Catholics link red to the Holy Spirit. Hindu brides wear red saris. Buddhist temples feature red decorations. These spiritual connections add depth to red's meaning as a lucky color.

Money and success link to red too. Stock markets use red to show rising prices in some countries. Red envelopes with money are gifts in Chinese New Year. Banks and businesses often use red in their logos to suggest wealth and success.

So when you put on red underwear for New Year's Eve, you're tapping into meanings that go back thousands of years: luck, love, life, and success. The color choice isn't random, it builds on beliefs that many cultures share.

Want to explore other lucky underwear colors? See what yellow, green, and white could bring to your New Year's celebrations.

The red underwear tradition spread across continents, but each culture adapted it to fit local beliefs. From Mexico to Italy, people added their own rules about how to wear it, when to buy it, and what brings the most luck. These differences show up in gift-giving customs, timing, and even color choices. Let us take a closer look:

Mexico:

In Mexico, the tradition comes with specific rules. You must get your red underwear as a gift, since buying it yourself cancels the luck. This is why mexicans often give red underwear to friends and family in December.

The style matters too, lace for love, plain cotton for prosperity.

Brasil:

Brazilian tradition adds extra color options to the mix. While red brings love, yellow underwear attracts money.

Brazilians also say you should wear your New Year's underwear inside out until midnight, then flip it right-side-out. Many Brazilians head to the beach in their white clothes (with colored underwear beneath) to jump seven waves for luck.

Argentina and Chile:

Argentina and Chile share similar customs but with timing differences. Argentinians put on their red underwear right at midnight, while Chileans wear it all day on December 31st. Both countries say the underwear must be new, used pairs don't count for luck.

In Chile, people often burn their old year's lucky underwear to make room for new fortune.

Italy:

Italy started the tradition, and they keep strict rules. Italians say red underwear must be new and thrown away on January 1st. You'll find red underwear displays in Italian shops by mid-December.

Spain:

Spain puts its own spin on timing and tradition. Spanish custom says to wear the red underwear inside out until midnight. Some Spanish regions add that the underwear should be thrown away after January 6th (Three Kings Day). Did you know your red underwear pairs perfectly with another Spanish midnight tradition? Find out which fruits bring extra luck for the new year.

Other European countries:

• In Portugal, blue underwear competes with red, blue for peace, red for love.
• Germans might wear green underwear for prosperity alongside red for love.
• French traditions mix in pink underwear for romance and friendship.

Want to explore more New Year's luck traditions? Learn about the colorful customs and rituals of Indian New Year celebrations.

If you want to read similar articles to Why Do People Wear Red Underwear for New Year’s Luck?, we recommend you visit our Festivities & Celebrations category.