Why our southern neighbors wear red lingerie on New Year’s Eve

If you are still looking for a suitable outfit for the coming New Year’s Eve, you do not have to think twice about the “bottom”: it should be bright red – the shape and cut, on the other hand, are of secondary importance. The custom in these countries promises that those who celebrate New Year’s Eve in red underwear will experience happiness, success and, most importantly, love. Health and passion are also promised.

However, one restriction remains: the underwear may not have been purchased by yourself, but must have been given as a gift. It is worn for the first time on New Year’s Eve. In addition, the red underwear must be thrown away on New Year’s Day, otherwise the magic will not work. Anyone who does not believe in such traditions will look simply seductive with red underwear.

It is not entirely clear where the promising superstition of red underwear on New Year’s Eve comes from. The New Year’s Eve custom is especially widespread in Italy. Therefore, it is believed to have its origins in the Roman Empire under Emperor Augustus. Red underwear was considered a good luck charm during this time.

Another theory suggests that the custom’s origins may lie in China. The color red symbolizes luck and prosperity in Asia. Wearing red underwear on Chinese New Year is therefore considered to bring good luck. The Venetian traveler to China, Marco Polo, may have spread this superstition through his reports in Italy in the 13th century, thus reviving the ancient Roman custom.

In Spain and Mexico people also wear red underwear around New Year’s Eve. But lingerie is also becoming increasingly popular in Germany – after all, you should not miss a single chance for happiness in the New Year.