New Years Throughout The World - Traditions To Live By
Over the years, calendars fell out of sync with the sun, prompting the start of the year to fall on different days, until Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 45 B.C. Caesar instituted January 1st as the first day of the year, and the calendar closely resembled that of the modern Gregorian calendar. Today, most festivities begin on December 31st—the last day of the Gregorian calendar—and continue into the early hours of January 1st.
Whether it’s sharing a meal with family and friends or throwing old furniture out the window, each of these customary, luck-filled New Year’s traditions derives from a unique origin. Below are thirteen of the most fascinating celebrations from around the world. Discover their historical significance and the traditional objects each draws upon to create a truly unique representation of their heritage.
***SPAIN***
Grapes for Good Luck
This Spanish tradition started back in the late 19th century. People in Spain continue to eat 12 grapes at midnight to this day, a custom originally thought up by vine growers to sell more grapes at the end of the year. Spaniards eat one grape with each bell strike, which is believed to result in good fortune.
***COLUMBIA***
Carrying Empty Suitcases
Hoping for plenty of traveling in the upcoming year? Then do as they do in Columbia and carry an empty suitcase around the block, a practice that’s thought to encourage lots of traveling in the new year.
***SCOTLAND***
‘First Footing’
For New Year’s in Scotland, they observe something called “First Footing.” Scots believe that the first person who crosses the threshold of a home after midnight on New Year’s Day should preferably be a dark-haired man, which can bring about a lucky new year.
***DENMARK***
Breaking Plates and Glasses
Want to start the new year fresh and full of positive vibes? Draw some inspiration from this unique tradition in Denmark, where people usher in the new year by tossing plates and glasses against family and friends’ doors to do away with any bad spirits.
***BRAZIL***
Tossing White Flowers in the Ocean
Throwing white flowers into the sea sounds like a romantic New Year’s tradition, and it’s something that’s customarily done in Brazil. Residents will toss white flowers and candles into the Atlantic Ocean as offerings to Yemoja, a god of water who can pass along good things in the upcoming year.
***GREECE***
Hanging Onions
We’ve heard of hanging strings of garlic to ward off vampires, but onions? It’s actually a tradition that’s carried out in Greece for New Year’s. Greeks believe that onions represent rebirth, so they hang onions on their doors in the hopes of having a fresh year full of growth.
Smashing Pomegranates
No matter what time of year it is, pomegranates are very important in Greece. In Greek mythology, the fruit represents abundance and life, things that are tied to New Year’s there. Just after midnight, Greeks will crush pomegranates against their doors—the number of seeds that fall to the ground symbolize how much good luck you can expect in the new year.
***SWITZERLAND***
Dropping Whipped Cream
This tradition seems like a waste of perfectly good whipped cream, but we’ll bite. In Switzerland, people will drop dollops of whipped cream on their floors to promise good fortune for the new year.
***SOBA NOODLES***
Hanging Onions
We’ve heard of hanging strings of garlic to ward off vampires, but onions? It’s actually a tradition that’s carried out in Greece for New Year’s. Greeks believe that onions represent rebirth, so they hang onions on their doors in the hopes of having a fresh year full of growth.
***FRANCE***
New Year’s Feast
Food is certainly a big part of New Year’s here in the United States, but in France, it’s an event all on its own. Called “le réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre,” the meal celebrates the “awakening” of the patron saint of New Year’s and features delectable gourmet foods, like oysters and lobster.
***CHINA***
Red for Good Luck
Red is a color that denotes good fortune and happiness, and in China, it’s a hue that’s often attached to New Year’s. You’ll spot decorations, fans, gift packets, and lanterns in shades of red.
***ITALY***
Lucky Lentils
Italy is almost always known for dishes like spaghetti and linguini, but during New Year’s celebrations, it’s all about the lentils. Italians see lentils as mini, edible “coins,” and if you include them in your New Year’s Eve dinner, they’ll bring some luck into your life.
***RUSSIA***
12 Seconds of Silence
If your New Year’s Eve parties are anything but quiet, you might find this next tradition hard to believe. In Russia, people are silent for 12 seconds right before midnight so they can make their wishes for the next year.
***COLUMBIA***
Three Potatoes
On New Year’s Eve, Columbians place one peeled, one unpeeled, and one half-peeled potato under their beds. When the clock strikes midnight, they pull out the first potato their hand touches, and the potatoes symbolize different things: a peeled potato means financial ruin. An unpeeled potato promises a good year all around. And a half-peeled potato is a mix of good and bad for the year.
***DENMARK***
Jumping Off Chairs
Perhaps back in the day, you and your friends jumped off chairs at parties for fun, but in Denmark, it’s a real New Year’s tradition. There, people try to jump off their chairs in unison at midnight, a symbol of jumping forward into a new year.
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