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As you may already know we’ve previously taken a look into the new house superstitions and found that there are many ways in which people believe that they can bring luck, prosperity, fortune and more into their new home. But, did you know that there are many housewarming traditions that originate from different countries and cultures around the world? 

In this article, we’ll be looking into multiple countries across the globe and the popular housewarming traditions that these possess. 

Russia 

First up, a housewarming tradition that is sometimes considered to be a European tradition is to bring bread and salt as the first two items into your new home. In actual fact, this tradition originated in Russia, these two items are thought to be two cherished symbols of hospitality. With salt bringing a life of flavour and bread ensuring that the home is never hungry, it’s definitely worth trying this housewarming tradition to attract a full life (and a full belly). 

If you’re moving house with a feline friend, have you considered letting them enter the house before anyone else? This housewarming tradition of letting your cat walk across the threshold of your new home is believed to bring good luck, so much so that Russia’s largest bank offered the use of a cat for 2 hours for those that took out a mortgage with them. 

India 

Bringing a cow into the house, sounds ridiculous right? As cows are considered as sacred animals in India, a common housewarming tradition in this area of the world is to walk the cow around the house. 

Boiling milk and rice is another housewarming tradition that is popular in Indian culture and is believed to bring prosperity of a long life. In our previous article on new house superstitions, we covered the ritual of boiling milk, so for more information on the importance of boiling the mixture of milk and rice until it overflows take a look at this article. 

Greece 

A popular item often given as a housing warming gift is a pomegranate, the seeds of this fruit have been sacred since ancient times and the more pomegranates gifted are said to be better. Some people may even gift a pomegranate plant to provide a lifetime of pomegranates, representing a lifetime of wishes to have good luck, fertility and wealth. 

Germany 

Let’s face it, everyone would like to warn trespassers and evil spirits off of their home, so, what if there was a way to do this. In Germany, having a rooster in your home is believed to warn any trespassers away, whilst acorns placed along the windowsills of your home fend off the evil spirits. 

Whilst roosters are thought to have this special gift, having a pet rooster in a busy neighbourhood could pose a problem, as they aren’t the most neighbourhood friendly pets. So, this housewarming tradition has slightly changed, with people often buying or being gifted homeware with roosters on rather than the actual bird. 

Asia 

If you’ve ever heard of Feng Shui, it’s likely that you’ll know that this in itself is a ritual to bring great energy into your life from the way that your home is designed. 

So if you’re interested in Feng Shui, this housewarming tradition is one for you. Ringing a bell is an auspicious ritual that is understood to clear the rooms of your home from stagnant or dying chi. Chi is held by all objects in your home and can be used to bring luck, wealth and opportunity to your home, so by getting rid of the dying Chi, it is understandable how this, in turn, brings great energy to your home. 

A housewarming tradition that needs to be thought of in advance of your move, is to organise your house removals on a lucky date and should be started before noon. This comes from the Chinese almanac, which helps to determine the fortunes of each day. By not picking an auspicious day to move and moving on a day that is not compatible with any family members (according to the numerology) it is believed to bring disasters and illness to the homeowners. For more information on the housewarming traditions popular in Asia, check out this great article by Asian Customs.eu.

France 

The changing of the chimney hook is a common housewarming tradition that is carried out in France, also known as “pendaison de cremaillere”. The hanging of the chimney hook signifies the completion of your new home and the beginning of the meal to thank those that helped. Traditionally, the food prepared for this meal is cooked in a large pot with the temperature being controlled by the chimney hook. 

Philippines

In the Philippines, scattering coins is a housewarming tradition that is thought to bring riches and fortune to the home. On arrival at their new home, Filipinos traditionally scatter the coins into the living room, however, some people look to throw coins into the corner of any room to signify the capital that enters the home. There are no set rules for this tradition, whilst some people may throw all of the coins on move in one day, other people often save them for other days. 

Kenya 

A Kenyan housewarming tradition that was actually presented to Barack Obama when he first took office as president is the gift of a three legged stool and a traditional Luo oxtail fly whisk. 

Europe 

Whilst candles provide a beautiful atmosphere and relaxation to any room it’s no surprise that they are often bought as a housewarming gift. But, they are also part of a housewarming tradition in Europe, where lighting a candle on your first night in your new home is believed to repel evil spirits and dismiss darkness from the home. Another tradition very similar to this, that could be seen as the origin of the word “housewarming”, is the lighting of a fire in the fireplace, a tradition that came from medieval times.

If you’re moving to one of these countries, we’d love to hear if any of these housewarming traditions are carried out in the local community. And don’t forget if you haven’t arranged a removal firm yet, Hackworthy and Sons carry out international removals as well as european removals, just get in touch with our team today to discuss if we can help.