Our Favorite Housewarming Traditions Across Cultures
My friend Mira recently posted that her friends brought her traditional Korean housewarming gifts and I was very intrigued! So I did some research and found out that there are several traditions across the world. Some of them overlap and some are specific to the region. So today I wanted to share some of the traditions that I found in my searches. Lets start with the Korean ones, which is what sparked this post.
Toilet Paper and Cleaning Supplies
In Korea, housewarming guests bring cleaning supplies, but more than any of that, they bring loads of tissue or toilet paper. Cleaning supplies and tissue used to be luxury items as they were expensive so the gift was seen as a pretty special one. Cleaning supplies like detergent bubble profusely and as such mean the person hopes the residents wealth will “bubble over”. Rolls of tissue and kitchen towels are long also adding to the prosperity wishes to the friends or family that has moved as it unravels smoothly and everlasting. It’s also very practical; as it doesn’t go bad so having a lot of it isn’t a bad thing. Potted plants are another traditional gift. They believe that the green plants represent prosperity, health and a thriving life.
Lighting a Candle
Ever wonder why it’s called a housewarming? Fire is a classic symbol of strength and purity, which is why many European traditions involve lighting a candle or a fire on your first night in a home. Doing so is said to ward off evil spirits by casting away darkness. This was back before modern conveniences such as electricity made doing that much easier, but you have to admit, there's something special about the glow of real flames to mark this special occasion.
Bringing Bread and Salt
Derived from Russian Jewish origins, bread and salt represent two very important symbols of hospitality. Some believe that the very first items brought inside a home should be a loaf of bread (so that the inhabitants never know hunger) and salt (to always have a life full of flavor). Bread, a staple at nearly every meal, was a sign of hospitality not just in Jewish tradition, but in European tradition as well. Salt, once so valuable it was used as currency, is another important sign of hospitality and wealth.
Burning Sage
Sage smudging is a traditional method of clearing out negative energy in a space. Directing the smoke into the corners of a room can clear energy, and add protection from negativity. Tradition also encourage covering up mirrors, windows, and turning off electronics when doing a sage smudging ceremony in a space. This is a practice that I actually knew about and have seen friends practice, though I myself have never done.
Tying a Holy Thread
Khuan Ban Mai, the blessing of a new house, is regarded by Thai people as a very auspicious event. It celebrates the completion of a new home by bringing together friends and family and performing a Buddhist rite to encourage good fortune and prosperity for the new dwelling and its inhabitants. Monks play important role in the house warming ceremony. The host will usually invite an odd number of monks such as 5, 7 or 9 monks as odd numbers are regarded as a lucky. Each member of new household will receive a string wrist-binding (white holy thread) from the monk as a blessing. The holy thread, known as Sai Seen, is also entwined around the main household Buddha image. When the ceremony is finished, food will be offered to the monks by the host followed by gift offerings. The gift set usually contains a banana leaf cone holding flowers, candles, and joss sticks along with some necessary everyday items. As part of the ceremony, monks will sprinkle holy water on the host and guests and throughout the new house.
Painting Your Porch “Haint Blue”
“Haint” is another word for “haunt” in Gullah tradition, which began in Africa and spread to regions of South Carolina and Georgia. The legend says that haint spirits can’t travel through or over water, so painting part of your entryway blue is a deterrent. Southern homes are also commonly accented with blue around the doors, windows, and shutters. This is commonly practiced now in the southern states of the US. While in Key West a few years ago I had learned about this and how many traditional homes have this. I am always down for some color!
After learning all about these different traditions it gives me a lot of ideas about closing gifts for my clients! If you’re interested in buying or selling a home on Long Island, get in touch with Jessica Sullivan Real Estate here.