9 New Year’s Colors That Just May Bring You Good Luck in 2026

Charlotte Hilton Andersen

By Charlotte Hilton Andersen

Updated on Nov. 19, 2025

For an extra dose of good luck, incorporate these meaningful New Year's colors into your holiday celebrations

New Year’s colors for your best year yet

Let’s be honest: We could use all the luck we can get these days! New Year’s is the perfect time to usher it in with a kiss at the stroke of midnight, foods like black-eyed peas and a whole slew of quirky good-luck traditions. But did you know that certain New Year’s colors can also amp up your good fortune? Well, now you do!

While classic shades like gold, silver and black often take center stage during New Year’s celebrations, there’s a whole rainbow of hues tied to prosperity and positive vibes. To help you identify these colors and use them to your advantage, we spoke with color expert and horticulturalist Angelo Randaci.

Read on to find out which colors you should add to your home and wardrobe on the big night to add a dose of luck to your life in 2026.

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Gold: Wealth and prosperity

Hoping to get out of debt or start a new business venture this year? This bright metallic color symbolizes wealth and prosperity in many cultures and is often seen as the totem of good luck and fortune. Add some gold accessories to your outfit, or play with shimmering eye shadow to glam up your makeup.

Woman Wears Red Bangles
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Bright red: Passion, luck and joy

From fire-engine red and crimson to deep burgundy and warm rust, red hues are linked to passion in love, says Randaci. But this color also symbolizes passion in other areas of life, including new ambition in your career or hobbies. The color is popular in Chinese culture and represents the Lunar New Year, symbolizing luck, joy and happiness.

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Mocha: Harmony and comfort

New Year’s is about more than just that magical midnight kiss—it’s a time to embrace fresh beginnings and set the tone for the year ahead. And what better way to do that than with mocha? This soft, warm brown speaks to our desire for comfort, peace and feeling grounded, and was even named Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year. 

A rich, earthy tone, it invites you to savor life’s simple joys while adding a touch of sophistication to your surroundings. And it’s the perfect choice whether you’re looking to revamp your home decor or set a cozy, lush vibe for your New Year’s celebration.

Female hand with white nail design holding nail polish bottle.
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White: Purity

“In our Western culture, the color white is associated with a sense of purity, cleanliness and freshness,” Randaci says. If you have high hopes for your New Year’s resolutions, this makes it one of the luckiest New Year’s colors to start 2025 with a clean slate. Try an all-white color scheme for your party decor or attire.

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Emerald: Wisdom

Associated with wisdom, prosperity, fresh starts and growth, shades of green are lucky and fortunate New Year’s colors for those who want to turn over a new leaf (ahem) on Jan. 1. While brighter greens are the hallmark of springtime, darker greens are associated with wisdom learned over the years, which just so happens to be one of the themes of “Auld Lang Syne.”

Blue living room at home
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Ocean blue: Peace

Wishing for peace in your relationships, your home or around the world in the new year? Hoping to embrace moments of peace and serenity? Randaci suggests this serene blue, which conjures up images of the water and sky—two things humans find inherently calming.

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Bright yellow: Hope

“Yellow is considered the highest-energy color and evokes feelings of cheerfulness, hope and optimism,” Randaci says. One of the cheeriest New Year’s colors, yellow brings luck with energy and good vibes, sparking new ideas and fun. Make colorful prints of your favorite New Year’s quotes, or light up a room with a neon good-vibes sign.

silver 2025 baloons
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Silver: Dignity and strength

This shimmery color evokes both strength and dignity through adversity, making it one of the luckiest New Year’s colors for those going through tough times. Silver hair is the hallmark of the refinement that comes with aging, after all! So incorporate the color’s meaning into your Instagram posts and New Year’s captions, especially in pics featuring metallic decor and outfits, shiny disco balls and even simple messages written in a silvery font.

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Pink: Happiness

From bubblegum and rose gold to flamingo and Barbie pink, this cheery hue is all about finding your happy. If you don’t feel like revamping your home with paint, try adding small pops of pink to your wardrobe or home. This flirty shade has the power to spark small moments of joy in your day.

About the expert

  • Angelo Randaci is the horticulturalist at Earth’s Ally and an expert in the symbolism of plant colors. With more than 30 years of experience, he also served as director of horticulture and education for the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati and helped to develop the first Master Gardener Program in the city, as well as taught horticulture classes at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on New Year’s colors, writer Charlotte Hilton Andersen tapped her experience as an award-winning journalist who covers etiquette, relationships, psychology, health and lifestyle. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

  • Angelo Randaci, expert in the symbolism of plant colors and the horticulturist at Earth’s Ally
  • Pantone: “Mocha Mousse”
  • Pantone: “Peach Fuzz”
  • Benjamin Moore: “Color Trends & Color of the Year 2024 Blue Nova 825″