As the clock strikes 12 on midnight on January 1, we celebrate the moment by cheering and roaring with excitement wishing all around and our loved ones a very Happy & a Prosperous New Year . That’s what we all do to welcome the New Year but interestingly there are several traditions around the world that are being known to be followed as a part of celebrating and welcoming the New Year.
Let’s have a look at some of the unique New Year traditions followed across the globe-
Grapes to bring Good Luck
It is said that in Spain, People will eat exactly 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight to honor a Spanish tradition that started back in the late 19th century. According to historians , this custom originally started back in the 1800s by vine growers as a means to sell more grapes towards the the end of the year, but the tradition was extended and continued by all. Spaniards eat one grape with each bell strike, as it is believed that this will bring good fortune and prosperity.
Breaking Plates and Glasses
A unique yet quirky tradition is followed in Denmark on New Year’s Eve, where people throw plates and glasses at neighbour’s, family and friends’ doors since with this it is believed to be a means of abandoning ill-will and banishing evil spirits and bringing good luck . It is said that the bigger your pile of broken dishes, the more luck you will have in the upcoming year.
Carrying Empty Suitcases
In order to fulfill your wish to have a travel-filled New Year , residents of Colombia carry empty suitcases and take a stroll around the block. As per tradition , walking your empty suitcase around the block will guarantee a year filled with travel and new experiences.
Lead formation shape
It is said that in Germany, Finland, Turkey, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic, people follow a common unique New year activity which is heating small pieces of lead and then pouring them in cold water. By looking at the shape that the lead forms , the luck of a person is predicted . The shape that the lead forms is said to tell about a person’s fate for the upcoming year.
‘First Footing’
The tradition called “First Footing” is practiced in Scotland. People in Scotland 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.it is said that in Scotland, the day before January 1 is known to be very important which has an official name for it called Hogmanay.
According to bestlifeonline.com, “back when Scotland was being invaded by the Vikings, the last thing you wanted to see at your doorstep was a light-haired man bearing a giant axe. So today, the opposite—a dark-haired man—symbolizes opulence and success.”
Throwing White Flowers Into the Ocean
In Brazil a beautiful tradition is followed where white flowers and candles are thrown into the ocean . Residents toss white flowers and candles into the Ocean as offerings to Yemoja, a major water deity who is said to control the seas,. Doing so helps to earn her blessings for the year to come.
Hanging Onions
A tradition is being followed in Greece for New Year’T the Greeks believe that onions are a symbol of rebirth, so they hang onions on their doors in the hopes to promote growth throughout the new year .
Soba Noodles & Ringing Bells
As per Japanese culture, People in Japan welcome the new year by eating bowls of soba noodles, or noodles made from buckwheat flour as a ritual known as toshikoshi soba , or year-crossing noodles. . Although the origin of this tradition is not exactly known, it is believed that the soba’s thin shape and long length is meant to signify a long and healthy life.
Moreover another tradition is said to be followed in Japan. The Buddhist Temples in Japan ring their bells on New Year’s Eve—107 times on New Year’s Eve, and once when the clock strikes midnight. This tradition is called as joyanokane and is meant to both dismiss the 108 evil desires in each and every person and cleanse the previous year of past sins.
Making wishes with Ashes in drink
It is said that People in Russia follow a unique New Year tradition where they write their New Year’s wishes on a piece of paper, and when the clock strikes midnight, they’ll burn them and drop the ashes into a drink. And if they want those wishes to come true, they have to finish the drink…and swallow the ashes with it, which is supposed to be finished in the first minute of the new year.
Three Potatoes
Columbians also follow a unique tradition. It is said that on New Year’s Eve, Columbians place one peeled, one unpeeled, and one half-peeled potato under their beds.And after the clock strikes midnight, they pull out the first potato their hand touches, and the three potatoes symbolizes three different things: while a peeled potato means financial ruin, an unpeeled potato means a good year and lastly a a half-peeled potato means a mixture of good and bad for the year.
Smash Pomegranates
According to ancient Greek mythology, pomegranates symbolize fertility, life, and abundance. The beautiful fruit is associated with New Year in Greece. Just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, Greeks will crush pomegranates against the door of their house—and it is said that the number of pomegranate seeds that fall on the ground or scattered symbolizes the amount of good luck to come in the new year.
