8 Moving House Traditions from Around the World

Moving to a new home is a major life milestone that comes with a mix of emotions and endless tasks. From packing up your belongings to picking the right moving company, it’s no wonder many people feel overwhelmed. Yet, no matter your approach, everyone has their own routines for settling into a new space. Maybe you leave a few boxes unpacked until everything else is organized, or perhaps you prefer to unpack right away–everyone has their own preference when it comes to moving. Beyond personal habits, cultures worldwide have unique traditions tied to moving. These rituals, often rooted in history, beliefs and community values, range from the symbolic to the spiritual, each meant to bring blessings, protection and prosperity to a new home. In this blog, we’ll explore 8 moving traditions from different cultures. And who knows–you might find one that inspires your next move!

1. Germany: Bringing Bread, Salt and a Coin for Good Luck

If you live in Germany and you’ve just bought a new house, don’t expect the usual gift of a houseplant. Instead, homeowners are traditionally gifted bread, salt, and a coin to wish them well in their new home. This custom comes from the belief that bread is essential for nourishment, salt represents luxury and flavour in life, and the coin brings good fortune. This tradition is common throughout much of Europe and is meant to ward off negative energy while offering prosperity and fertility. There are also other items that may be added to the bread, salt, and coin trio. These can include wine for prosperity and good cheer, a broom to sweep away bad luck, and candles to bring light and happiness.

2. India: Blessing the Home with a Prayer

In India, one of the most important traditions for moving into a new house is the Griha Pravesh ceremony, a prayer of blessing rooted in Hindu beliefs. This ritual is usually performed by a priest or family elder soon after moving in. It is believed that a new home, being a personal and sacred space, must be purified and protected from negative energies before the family fully settles in. The Griha Pravesh ceremony is often scheduled on an opportune date, chosen according to the Hindu calendar, to ensure the home will bring happiness, wealth and good fortune. During the ceremony, incense may be lit, prayers chanted and offerings like rice or milk made. Many families also place a small idol of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, near the door or in a prominent area to invite prosperity and luck. This tradition highlights the importance of spiritual grounding when entering a new space–it’s not just about the physical move but also about aligning the family with positive energy for a successful future.

3. Japan: Bringing Coins into the Home

In Japan, a common moving tradition involves bringing coins into the home to attract wealth and happiness. This ritual is rooted in the belief that coins will bring good fortune and help the family maintain financial stability in their new space. Along with coins, some families also place offerings of food, such as rice, in various parts of the house. This tradition holds particular significance in rural Japan, where prosperity and self-sufficiency have historically been closely connected. These traditions, once completed in a new house, are believed to ensure that the family’s needs will always be met and that they’ll thrive in their new environment. Similar to other cultures, these home rituals highlight the importance of starting fresh in a new home with the intention of building a prosperous and peaceful life.

4. Mexico: Celebrating With a Housewarming Party

In Mexico, family and community play a central role when moving into a new home. A popular tradition is to invite close friends and family to a housewarming party shortly after settling in. This gathering isn’t just about celebrating the new space–it’s a way to recognize the support system surrounding the new homeowners. The celebration often includes a meal, dancing and sometimes live music, like a traditional mariachi band. This ritual emphasizes the importance of coming together to mark new beginnings. It’s believed that the energy and joy shared during the celebration will bring good fortune, happiness and long-lasting memories to the new home. While unpacking and setting up are undoubtedly key steps when moving to a new house, many people in Mexico believe that hosting a welcoming party for loved ones is just as important in establishing your new life in a new home.

5. South Korea: Sweep the House Clean 

In South Korea, one of the most common traditions when moving into a new house is to sweep–and no, we’re not talking about just cleaning up crumbs left by previous homeowners! This practice is believed to clear the house of any negative energy or bad luck believed to be left behind by previous occupants. Sweeping is done even before the family fully settles in, symbolizing the intention to create a fresh, positive environment. In addition to sweeping, some families burn sage or incense to purify the air and space. Others place offerings of food, like rice or fruit, in specific spots around the house to invite good fortune. This ritual is often accompanied by prayers or blessings that wish for peace, happiness and protection for the household. In South Korea, the belief in a clean start is strong, emphasizing both the physical act of cleaning and the spiritual act of ensuring only positive energy enters the home.

6. Italy: Throwing Rice

In Italy, home rituals take a fun twist with the festive tradition of throwing rice at the doorstep of a new home to symbolize fertility, prosperity and happiness. Similar to the custom of throwing rice at weddings, this moving house tradition is meant to shower the new home with blessings. The rice represents abundance and growth, both for the home and the family living in it. In some regions, the rice-throwing is followed by a meal or celebration to welcome the new occupants. This communal act of sharing food and drink highlights the importance of unity and family in Italian culture!

7. Scotland: Filling the House with Light

In Scotland, a well-known ritual to get a house involves the first person to enter bringing a light–whether in the form of a candle, a burning piece of coal, or a lantern. This tradition symbolizes the arrival of warmth, light and positive energy into the home. Some also place a small piece of coal in the fireplace to ensure the home stays warm for the family. Rooted in the belief that the first visitor brings both literal and metaphorical warmth, this ritual is meant to ensure that the new home will be a place of comfort, peace and happiness for its new owners.

8. Greece: Taking the First Steps

Miles away in Greece, a popular ritual to get a house involves having the first person to step inside be a man, as it’s believed to bring stability and good fortune to the family. This custom is rooted in the belief that a man’s entry into the home symbolizes protection, strength and a positive future. To mark this significant first step, some families even hold special ceremonies or meals, further underscoring the importance of starting off the new chapter of their lives with blessings and good energy.

From House to Home– Traditions for New Moves

Wherever you are in the world, moving into a new home is a symbolic experience. Many cultures celebrate this milestone with unique traditions meant to bring blessings, protection and good fortune. From Germany’s bread and salt offerings to Italy’s rice-throwing custom, these moving home rituals show the different ways people honour the importance of home and community. As you get ready for your next move, you might even want to try one of these traditions. Whether it’s inviting friends and family over for a celebratory meal, blessing your space with prayer, or bringing coins into the house for luck, these customs can add peace and joy to your new home. At Bird’s Moving & Storage, we understand how important it is to make your new home feel like home. As the area’s  largest and finest moving company, our professional movers and packers are here to make your moving process smooth and worry-free, so you can focus on settling in and starting your next chapter. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help.