The Strangest Ways To Celebrate New Year Of Countries Over the World
We’re welcoming the new year - 2022 and now, let's take a look at some of the most interesting traditions to welcome the new year. In addition to popular customs such as counting down, fireworks... Many countries around the world have their own unique ways of celebrating New Year.
12 Lucky Grapes (Spain)
In Spain and some Latin American countries, the New Year tradition is eating 12 grapes, one for each month of the coming year, to ensure prosperity.
According to custom, the Spaniards eat a grape with each bell ringing at midnight. Their favorite way is to take a bite, then swallow half a grape.
This tradition dates back to 1909, when grape growers in Alicante came up with the idea to sell more grapes after a particular harvest.
Wearing colorful underwear (Latin America)
In Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Bolivia and Brazil, the color of the underwear determines how the owner has a year.
People in this country believe that red will bring love and romance, while yellow leads to wealth and success. White symbolizes peace and harmony, while green symbolizes wellbeing and nature.
In Turkey, red panties are also passed from hand to hand as a gift for good luck and promise a bountiful new year.
Melt Lead (Germany)
Is there anyone who doesn't want to know what the New Year can bring to them? In Germany, people place small pieces of lead in spoons and melt them over a candle, then pour the liquid into cold water. Strange shapes from Bleigießen (leaded) are said to reveal what next year will bring.
If the lead forms a ball, fortune will roll in one direction, while the shape of a crown means wealth, a cross signifies death and a star will bring happiness.
Break the plate (Denmark)
The Danish New Year's Eve tradition is throwing plates and dishes at the doorsteps of friends and neighbors. The next morning, the bigger the pile of broken porcelain, the more wishes the homeowner has from friends for luck in the coming year.
However, in the age of apartment living and urbanization, tradition is fading, but it will bring joy to those who still practice it.
Burning scarecrow (Ecuador)
In Ecuador, people make puppets of politicians, pop stars or other notable figures. Burning the scarecrow is to destroy all the bad things of the previous year and clean up for the new year. Scarecrows are made from old clothes stuffed with newspaper or sawdust and a mask.
Round everything (Philippines)
In the Philippines, it is believed that round things (representing coins) will bring money or fortune in the new year.
First Step (Scotland)
In Scottish folklore, the "first step", also known as qualtagh or Qualtagh, is the first person to cross the threshold after midnight. A tall, dark-haired man with gifts such as coins, coal, bread, salt and a little whiskey is said to bring the best luck to the family.
Throw furniture (Italy)
“There is no old” is the motto in Naples, where people throw everything from toasters to refrigerators off their balconies. Getting rid of old possessions symbolizes a new beginning in the new year. To prevent serious injury, nowadays, most locals just traditionally throw small and soft objects.
108 sounds of bell (Japan)
At midnight, Buddhist temples across Japan ring their bells 108 times to dispel the 108 evil delusions that all people have, according to Buddhism. The Japanese believe that joyanokane, the ringing of bells, will wash away their sins from the previous year.
Traditionally 107 bells are rung at the end of the day of the year and the 108th time of the new year. Many people eat buckwheat noodles called Toshikoshi Soba on New Year's Eve to symbolize their wish for a long life.
Drop Potatoes (USA)
On New Year's Eve, people in downtown Boise, USA will welcome the new year by dropping a giant ball shaped like a potato from the sky. Over 40,000 spectators came to see the 400-pound "GlowTato" lighted inside.
New Year's Eve Kiss (Italy)
Venice is a romantic spot any time of year, but on New Year's Eve in Piazza San Marco, tens of thousands of locals and tourists gather to watch fireworks, a light show, and fireworks. accompanied by "a kiss in Venice".
The Soul of the Animal (Romania)
Romania is a country rich in tradition. Especially in rural areas, the highlight of New Year's Eve is masked dances and rituals about death and rebirth.
Dancers wear furs and wooden masks simulating goats, horses or bears, and then jump from house to house to ward off evil spirits. The bear dance is the most popular.
