Culture
In The Community
Now that we’re not kids anymore, all that got us wondering…why though? Where do these urban legends come from? And is there any scientific basis for any of it?
Here are 5 of the most commonly heard phrases Latina moms fervently believe, we put on our lab coats to figure out once and for all… are they fact or fiction?
“Te vas a torcer”
Freezing Parks And Recreation GIF by MOODMANGiphyHow many times did your mom tell you to cover your face when you go out from a warm place and into the cold, because if you didn’t, “te vas a torcer”? And if you dare question the validity of their statement, they always claim to know someone who’s had this happen to them. Facial paralysis is no joke, and the thought of having part of your face frozen in place from a sudden temperature change can be mortifying. But does this seemingly decades-long urban legend hold any water?
The verdict: Has some truth but no definitive causal connections.
The condition usually described is called Bell’s Palsy, described as temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face, which is caused by an inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles of the face. While the exact cause of the inflammation is still unknown, it’s believed to be related to a viral infection or an autoimmune disorder.
That being said, some studies have suggested that people who are under stress or experiencing illnesses such as upper respiratory infections may be more likely to develop Bell’s palsy. There’s also some research indicating a correlation between temperature changes and Bell’s Palsy; however, this is stll being studied, therefore not definitively clear whether the temperature changes can cause Bell’s Palsy, as research papers continue to find.
So, in this case, while the jury is still out from the scientific community, facial paralysis and temperature changes may have some relationship — We suppose it can’t hurt to listen to our mamas and cover up! It’ll also make them feel better knowing you’re taking precautions for yourself.
“Todavía está bueno”
Food Wow GIF by CBCGiphyAs you take out a loaf of bread with a spot of mold growing on the corner, your mom might cut the moldy piece, throw it in the trash, and say, “todavía está bueno.” We know Latina moms will do their best to make the most out of each and every ingredient in their pantry and not let anything go to waste. But when something is starting to go bad, is it still safe to eat if you just remove the ugly part?
The verdict: Depends on the type of food item.
Generally, if the food is perishable, such as bread or dairy products, it’s best to get rid of it as the mold and the bacteria that causes it may have already spread throughout the food.
For some fruits and vegetables, if they are overripe and showing softness or brown discoloration in some spots, those areas can be cut off, and the rest of it can still be eaten. But if it has a strong odor, tastes bad, or is growing even a tiny bit of mold or rot, it’s probably best not to test the digestive gods and throw it out becuase the bacteria or mold that caused the spoilage can quickly spread through the food. Even if the rotten part is cut off, harmful microorganisms may already have spread to other parts of it and could cause food poisoning.
If the food is a hard food, such as cheese or hard salami, it can usually be safely consumed after the mold has been removed because the bacteria aren’t likely to have gone very far. But at the end of the day, it’s probably a good rule of thumb to not mess around with spoiled food.
Also, it’s a good idea to instead focus on sustainable food practices rather than trying to salvage old groceries so that you don’t end up with spoiled food to begin with.“Un bolillo para el susto”
Sweating Heat Wave GIFGiphyAfter the 6.8 earthquake that happened on September 2022 in Mexico City, a guy made headlines for handing out pieces of bread, or “bolillos,” to people on the streets to help them relax after the awful scare (and lighten up the mood). An age-old antidote after a stressful event, what magical properties do bolillos have that make them a cure for the “susto?”
The verdict: Surprisingly true.
Eating can have a calming effect on the body after experiencing a bad scare or feeling stressed or anxious. This is because certain foods can release chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, that can promote feelings of relaxation and well-being.
Certain types of carbohydrates in particular, such as those found in starchy foods like pasta, bread, and potatoes, can boost the production of serotonin, a chemical that helps regulate mood and can promote feelings of calmness and relaxation. Eating a small serving of these foods can be comforting and help you feel more relaxed after a stressful event. The more you know, huh?
“Una Coca para la presión”
Movie Reaction GIFGiphySome Latina moms will use Coke as a remedy for just about everything. Feeling tired? Have some coquita to lift yourself up. Your blood pressure is low? Pour yourself a glass, and you’ll feel better. Upset stomach? Mix in a little bit of limón. Is this go-to emergency cure effective, or just some placebo effect?
The verdict: True, though probably not the best advice.
It’s pretty simple, Coca-Cola and other similar caffeinated drinks may help to temporarily increase blood pressure in people with low blood pressure. Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause the body’s blood vessels to constrict, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure. So, any caffeinated drink may have the same effect: coffee, energy drinks, or tea.
Though it’s certainly not to be used often or as an actual cure, given the fact that consuming it regularly could cause many health problems, including high blood pressure, it may actually help alleviate low blood pressure symptoms like dizziness and weakness temporarily if you need a pick-me-up on the spot and don’t have immediate access to any medication.“No comas aguacate si estás enojado”
GiphyOne of the more urban-legend-y ones, in some households, you were strictly warned against having a bite of avocado after a “coraje.” Why you would want to eat avocado while mad in the first place, we honestly don’t know. But what is it about avocados that would allegedly be so harmful to you if eaten while you’re upset about something?
The verdict: It’s totally false.
We could not find a single shred of evidence to support this claim, even though we were really keen on finding out where it came from. There’s nothing to suggest that eating avocado while stressed or angry would have any negative effect on your body. That being said, stress and anxiety are known to cause cramps and stomachaches for some people, so it wouldn’t be surprising if eating literally anything would just upset your stomach more. So, avocado is definitely not the culprit. Let nobody keep you away from that guacamole! Maybe wait for a bit, though.
- 5 Things Latina Moms Told Us Growing Up ›
- 7 Latino Ghost Stories and Legends to Chill Your Bones - Luz Media ›
- You Know You’re Latine if You Grew Up with These Items in Your Home - Luz Media ›
- A Toast to Tequila: 7 Fun Facts for National Tequila Day - Luz Media ›
In Spain, many Latin American countries, and amongst the Latino diaspora in the U.S., children eagerly await the arrival of the Reyes Magos on January 6th, known in many places as Epiphany or El Dia de Los Reyes. It is a time for families to come together, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional foods such as the Rosca de Reyes, a circular cake with dried fruit, and a small figurine of a baby Jesus hidden inside.
For many immigrant families in the U.S., this is often treated as a second Christmas, which makes complete sense because when the opportunity for extra gifts arises…
Reyes Magos Explained
The celebration of the Reyes Magos dates back to the Middle Ages and has become an integral part of the cultural fabric of Spanish and Latin American countries. In many homes, children write letters to the Reyes Magos, listing their gift requests and leaving out cookies and water for the wise men's camels.
In the days leading up to Epiphany, which according to the U.S. Library of Congress, commemorates "the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world and the coming of the Magi," parades and pageants are held in honor of the Reyes Magos, with people dressing up as the wise men, their camels, and other characters from the nativity story.
Image by Municipalidad de Miraflores - Flickr
The tradition of the Reyes Magos was brought to Latin America from Spain during Spanish colonization. When the Spanish conquistadors plundered and conquered indigenous lands, they brought their cultural traditions with them that they imposed on their new subjects, including the celebration of the Reyes Magos.
Over time, the tradition of the Reyes Magos has become an integral part of the cultural fabric of many Latin American countries. It is now a widely known holiday celebrated by millions of people throughout Latin America and the U.S.
The Rosca de Reyes and Baby Jesus
In Latin America, the Reyes Magos celebration is similar to how it is celebrated in Spain.
The Rosca de Reyes, or King's Cake, is a traditional sweet bread baked in a circular shape made with sweet dough and decorated with dried fruit. It often comes with a small baby Jesus figurine hidden inside.
The tradition of the Rosca de Reyes is believed to have originated in France. It was later brought to Spain and then to Latin America, where it has become an integral part of the Reyes Magos celebration.
The small figurine that is hidden inside the Rosca is an important part of the tradition. The figurine is usually a small hard plastic doll that represents baby Jesus and is placed inside the cake before it is baked.
demi, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
According to tradition, the person who finds the figurine in their slice of the Rosca de Reyes is considered the King or the Queen for the day and must host the next celebration or party. This is meant to symbolize the generosity and hospitality at the heart of the Reyes Magos celebration. In some places, it is also traditional for the person who finds the figurine to make a small charitable donation or to perform a good deed as a way of honoring the spirit of the holiday season.
The small figurine that is hidden inside the Rosca also adds an element of surprise and fun to the celebration. In many Latino households, it’s become customary to dread being the person who ends up with the baby Jesus in their slice because then they are responsible for hosting a tamalada for the next family get-together on February 2, or Candelaria Day.
Candelaria Day officially marks the end of holiday celebrations that started on December 12 with the Virgen de Guadalupe feast day and extends into Nochebuena (Christmas Eve), Christmas Day, and Three Kings Day.
But everyone knows Latinos don’t need a religious holiday to get the family together for some good food, fun, and traditions that transcend generations!
- Archaic Holiday Family Party Questions: A Modern Latina's Guide ›
- A Guide To Latine New Year’s Traditions ›
- Religion and Superstition for Latinas: Mutually Exclusive? - Luz Media ›
- Everything You Need to Build Your Ofrenda - Luz Media ›
- 9 Strange Halloween Traditions from Around the World - Luz Media ›
- Day of La Virgen de Guadalupe: An Exciting Day for Mexicans - Luz Media ›
- 10 Holiday Foods Secretly Loaded with Sugar - Luz Media ›
- 7 Christmas Traditions That Just Don’t Make Sense - Luz Media ›
Rituals, or “cábalas,” are an essential part of Latin American culture, often passed down from generation to generation, reflecting its cultural diversity and rich history. Call it manifestation, call it superstition, but what’s true is that the mind is a powerful tool capable of bringing about change in our lives through focus and willpower.
So what are you looking for this upcoming year? Your amorcito? A new job? Traveling around the world? Keeping our traditions alive is wonderful whether you genuinely believe in these rituals or are just doing them for fun! Read on to find a Latino New Year’s ritual that fits your needs.
Getting Under The Table
Photo by Liza Bakay
A popular tradition in Mexico, it may feel silly, but hey, it’s all about the intention. Plus, some people swear by it every year. Just a few seconds before the clock strikes midnight, run and hide under the table. Focus on what it is that you want for your love life. If it helps, picture yourself with your dream partner. Some people also combine this ritual with eating the 12 grapes, so make sure you bring them with you. Hopefully, you’ll soon get the tías off your back asking, “Y el novio?”
Wearing Red Underwear
Photo by Penki ir
Red is the color of love, romance, and passion. Wanna find your soulmate? Reignite the fire in an existing relationship? Legend says if you wear a pair of red underwear on New Year’s Eve, love will surely come your way! Regardless of whether it works, there’s something about wearing some stunning red lingerie underneath a killer outfit that could have you feeling some type of way and projecting that out to the world.
Not prioritizing romance this year? Different colors are meant to symbolize other things.
Gold or Yellow: Wealth, prosperity, happiness, and success
Blue: Tranquility, wisdom, and stability
White: Purity, new beginnings, peace, and happiness
Green: Luck, health, adventure, and the balance of nature
Throwing Water Out The Window
Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz
Called “El Baldazo” in Uruguay or “El Cubazo” in Cuba, this tradition consists of throwing a bucket (or a cup if you don’t want to be wasteful) of water out to the streets to remove any bad energy still lurking inside your home. Before throwing it out, the cup of water must be passed around each area of the house. It’s believed that this way, the bad energy is collected inside the cup and cast out of your home, allowing you to welcome the new year surrounded with positive energy.
Sweeping Your House From The Inside Out
Photo by Daniel von Appen on UnsplashDuring the first few minutes of the New Year, Chilean tradition says if you want to remove any malas vibras from your home, you must sweep the house from the inside out. It doesn’t have to be tedious, though (it probably won’t work if you’re cleaning the house grumpily anyway). Instead, have everyone bring a broom and make it a family ritual! Blast some cumbias, have fun with it, dump any dust or trash in a trashcan outside your house, and you’re off to a clean, fresh start.
Throwing Last Year’s Calendar Out The Window
Photo by Photo By: Kaboompics.com
In countries like Argentina and Uruguay, calendars and old documents are shredded and thrown out the window, a gesture that symbolizes getting rid of the old and making space for the new. Even office workers participate in it! If throwing paper out the window is not an option (you might get fined for it in the U.S.), burning them in a fire-safe container is also a great way to symbolically say goodbye to everything you don’t need anymore. Adiós a lo que no te sirve!
Burning An Effigy
Quema de años viejos (15979407538).jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Or a mini version of one, anyway. In Ecuador, burning effigies, also known as “Años Viejos,” is believed to destroy all the negative things that went on over the past year and bring about good luck and happiness for the next. Some Ecuadorians construct life-size papier-mâché dolls made to look like famous people or political figures, or just buy any old cartoon character piñata and then throw a block party where it will be set on fire at midnight.
Burning may seem like an act of anger, but it’s a symbolic way of closing a chapter in one’s life and celebrating the birth of a new one. It’s a deeply meaningful tradition for Ecuadorians that has been adopted in other countries like Uruguay, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Using Lentejas to Attract Abundance
Lentil Soup | 33/365 - February 2, 2010 Recipe here | Emily Carlin
In many cultures around the world, lentils, with their coin-like shape, are a symbol of abundance and prosperity. In Latin America, there are all kinds of ways lentils are used to manifest financial stability for the upcoming year. Some will eat a bowl of sopa de lentejas at midnight, others plant them, and others stuff their purses and wallets with them. Rice is also a popular grain used to represent prosperity. However you want to do it, just make sure you have enough grains in your pantry!
Gifting A Sheep
Photo by Magda Ehlers
A tradition commonly seen in Mexico, sheep are associated with abundance and good fortune. Who couldn’t use some extra “lana” in their life? It is said that receiving a decorative sheep as a gift, or giving one, will bring luck and prosperity! It has to be a gift, though. Otherwise, the magia is broken. Afterward, you’ll have to hang or display it near the door, calling the money into your home. There’s even a mantra you can recite to supercharge your good luck sheep, it goes “Borreguito de la montaña, has que con tu lana junte dinero cada mañana.”
Eating 12 Grapes
12 Grapes Before Midnight | Chris Oakley | Flickr
Arguably the most widely practiced of all, this tradition is said to have originated in Spain dating back from at least 1895. While in other cultures, they’ll be cheering with a glass of champagne as the clock strikes midnight, you’ll find Latinos having a quiet, rather intense moment as they focus on eating 12 grapes and assigning a special wish for each one. You’re supposed to eat them at each strike of the clock before midnight for maximum effectiveness. But no rush, mija. Better safe than sorry!
Writing What You Want, Then Burning It
Photo by cottonbro studio
Write down your wishes, things you want to accomplish, or things you want to change in the upcoming year on 12 separate pieces of paper. After you’re done writing, burn them in a safe container. In Chile, this is a powerful way of manifesting these thoughts into reality. Use this as a chance to reflect on the past year, let go of anything you don’t want to take with you going forward, and focus on what you really want. It can be very cathartic.
Running Around the Block with a Suitcase
Photo by Oleksandr P
Popular in Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, and Puerto Rico, this tradition involves dusting off a suitcase and taking it for a ride around the block! Bonus points if your family sends you off as if you’re actually going on an around-the-world trip. Legend says this will guarantee a year filled with new places, people, and experiences! It might look funny to the neighbors, but joke’s on them. You’ll be too busy traveling the world to care.
Bonus: Make Your Chonies Work For You!
Photo by Photo By: Kaboompics.com
This list couldn’t be complete without a quick run-down of the most popular underwear colors and what they claim to attract. Whether it’s love, money, or health, put your calzones to work this New Year’s Eve!
- Red: Attracts love, romance, and passion. Wear them if el amor de tu vida is taking too long.
- Yellow: Bring money, prosperity, abundance, and financial stability into your life. Put them on to keep those dollars coming.
- White: Represents peace, harmony, and calmness. It could be helpful for those with a hectic lifestyle who just want to chill.
- Black: Associated with luxury, power, and sexuality. Get those alpha Latina vibes flowing and attract everything you want, girl!
- Green: The color of health, good luck, and protection. Wear them for all-around good fortune!
- Blue: Believed to bring balance and stability. Good for making that elusive personal project come to life or getting that job you always wanted.
Our traditions are an essential part of who we are and a reminder of where we come from, timeless gifts given to us by our tatarabuelos. That said, we can always create our own rituals and pass them down for generations to come! What New Year’s ritual does your familia do every year? We’d love to hear it. Tag us on Instagram @theluzmedia.
Feliz Año Nuevo from the Luz Team!
- 5 Latino New Year’s Traditions We’re Doing ›
- Origins of the Mexican Spiked Piñata - Luz Media ›
- Religion and Superstition for Latinas: Mutually Exclusive? - Luz Media ›
- The Origins of Cascaron Confetti Eggs During Easter - Luz Media ›
- Everything You Need to Build Your Ofrenda - Luz Media ›
