New Year traditions around the world

Exploring New Year traditions in different corners of the world

Where is it customary to have fist fights before New Year's Eve, and where is it customary to eat 12 grapes? Where does the custom of throwing plates at friends' doors come from, and who prefers to sleep in cemeteries? New Year traditions in many countries of the world never cease to amaze and delight. In most countries the New Year begins on December 31, but there are those who celebrate it at other times. Exploring the customs of other peoples, you can find something interesting that you will want to bring into your own holiday ritual.

The history of New Year celebrations

The first inhabitants to start celebrating the New Year were the ancient residents of Babylon about 4000 years ago. They chose the first day of the new moon after the spring equinox. This is how the New Year celebration began, lasting a full 11 days, with each day filled with various rituals. In 46 BC, the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, making January 1 the first day of the year. The Romans celebrated the holiday with sacrifices, gift exchanges, and decorating their homes with laurel branches.

Modern traditions

In the USA, the main event is the ball drop in Times Square, New York, starting a minute before midnight. Millions of Americans gather in the streets of Times Square or watch the broadcast on television. This custom originated in 1907 as a way to draw attention to the new office of the "New York Times" newspaper. Other countries also have their unique traditions. For example, in Spain, after each chime of the clock, they eat one grape from a total of 12, consumed at the stroke of midnight. In France, it is traditional to prepare a dish called "lievre au vin," which is believed to bring good luck in the new year. Each country finds something special to celebrate the New Year with joy and to improve the coming year.

Choosing gifts for the New Year

The choice of gifts depends on the person and their preferences. What to give a girl, a guy, or children for a holiday? Thoughtfulness and care are the best gifts that are precious to anyone on this wonderful holiday. Don't hesitate to experiment and draw inspiration from the traditions of different world cultures to make your New Year truly special.

Conclusion

Never stop being amazed by the New Year traditions of different countries and cultures. Every time you observe this unique holiday, you can learn something new and bring brightness into your life.

Traditions of celebrating New Year in the USA

In the USA, it has become a tradition to decorate a Christmas ball that is illuminated by 32,256 LEDs before the New Year. This ball is capable of creating impressive light effects, showcasing over 16 million different colors and patterns. When midnight strikes, Americans sing the famous song "Auld Lang Syne" and eat black-eyed peas, which are considered a symbol of good luck.

New Year traditions of Spain

In Spain, December 31st is celebrated with a run in honor of Saint Sylvester, which is associated with New Year's Eve. On this day, more than 200 races of 10 kilometers take place across the country. At the moment the clock strikes midnight, Spaniards eat 12 grapes, one for each chime of the clock, symbolizing good luck for each month of the coming year. After that, people gather in the main squares, where they eat grapes and raise a glass of cava. The party continues all night, and the first dawn is welcomed with hot chocolate and churros.

New Year traditions in France

In France, New Year's Eve, known as Réveillon, is celebrated among friends, as Christmas is usually celebrated with family. Since the end of November, the French start reminding each other to buy champagne for the New Year's table. On this evening, the main elements of the festive dinner are seafood, such as oysters, lobsters, langoustines, and scallops.

Celebrating New Year in Brazil

In Brazil, where it is summer at this time of year, people prefer to relax on the beach.

Unique New Year traditions around the world

Seven is a mysterious and enigmatic number.which is associated with luck and prosperity. Different countries celebrate the arrival of the new year with unique customs related to the number seven.

Ecuador: effigies and fireworks

In Ecuador, they create effigies (viejos) of famous characters to drive away the misfortunes of the previous year. These effigies are filled with fireworks and burned in the streets, symbolizing the release of negative energy.

Turkey: salt on the doorstep

After midnight, the Turks sprinkle salt on the thresholds of their homes to attract peace and good fortune in the new year.

Finland: prediction using lead

In Finland, molten tin is poured into water, and its shape after solidifying is interpreted to predict the future of the year.

Germany: film and food on the plate

New Year's Eve celebrations in Germany begin with watching the movie "Dinner for One" and leaving some of the food on the plate until midnight for riches and surprises in the new year.

Japan: Traditions of Cleaning and Purification

Before the New Year, the Japanese do a thorough cleaning, getting rid of unnecessary things, and eat special dishes to symbolically say goodbye to the old year.

• Susukhara - cleaning the premises before the New Year.
• Toshikoshi soba and mochi are New Year's dishes.
• Joya no kane - ringing the bells 108 times to purify the passions

Philippines: a symbol of wealth and prosperity

In the Philippines, the round shape of objects symbolizes wealth and good luck.

Different countries celebrate unique New Year traditions, but a common theme among them is the desire to attract good luck and start the year with a clean slate.

Unique New Year celebration traditions around the world

Different countries have unique New Year's Eve traditions that reflect cultural sensitivities and wishes for the future. Let's take a look at some of them:

Philippines: round food, peas, and sticky rice

One of the Filipino customs is to encourage children to jump at midnight for growth, while adding sticky rice to their diet to strengthen family ties. Traditional round food symbolizes harmony and unity in the family, and choosing polka dot clothing brings good luck. Coins are carefully kept here as a symbol of financial prosperity.

Romania: poetry, costumes, and street parties

Romania observes many unique traditions for New Year's Eve. Children sing "plugusorul" poems at neighbors' doors, hoping to attract good luck to their families. Late in the evening, street parties are held where participants dance in animal costumes, having fun and enjoying each other's company.

Peru: dances and fights

In Peru, indigenous peoples celebrate the New Year through the tradition of "takanakuy," which translates to "to hit each other." The annual festival on December 25 includes dances and fights that help resolve conflicts and renew relationships before the arrival of the new year.

Greece: pomegranates and onions

In Greece, New Year's Eve begins with counting pomegranate seeds, which is associated with future success. Pomegranates symbolize fertility and abundance in Greek culture. After the church service, it is traditional to hang an onion on the doors, symbolizing growth and fertility in the coming year.

The Netherlands: shooting and frozen water bodies

In the Netherlands, New Year's Eve is celebrated with fireballs and carbide shooting. On the morning of January 1st, many rush to frozen bodies of water to mark the beginning of the new year in an energetic and festive atmosphere.

Scotland: "first leg" and fireballs

In Scotland, New Year is celebrated with the custom of "first foot," considering it lucky for the first person to enter the home to be dark-haired. Ceremonies around the bonfire with fireballs on poles symbolize purification and preparation for the coming year.

These diverse traditions show how each culture celebrates the New Year with its unique customs, reflecting hope, joy, and the aspiration for well-being in the year that is just beginning.

New Year's traditions around the world

In different corners of the world, people celebrate the New Year with unique traditions passed down from generation to generation.

Chile

In Chile, some families light candles at the graves of their loved ones and spend the night there, believing that the souls of their departed relatives gather on this night to celebrate with them.

Colombia

In Colombia, some families practice a tradition called "agüero," which involves placing three potatoes under the bed of each family member: one peeled, one unpeeled, and the last one partially peeled. At midnight, each person, with their eyes closed, picks one of them, and depending on the potato chosen, they can expect either good luck, financial difficulties, or a combination of both.

Ireland

In Ireland, there is a custom of knocking on walls and doors with loaves of Christmas bread to drive away evil spirits. Additionally, unmarried girls traditionally place mistletoe under their pillows, hoping to find their future husbands.

Switzerland and Denmark

In Switzerland, people drop a drop of cream on the floor to attract good luck and wealth in the new year. In turn, the Danes jump out of their chairs at midnight to symbolize the transition into the new year.

Thailand

In Thailand, the traditional New Year, known as Songkran, takes place from April 13 to 15 and is one of the most important events in the Buddhist calendar. This holiday includes the washing of Buddha statues and the hands of elders to start the new year spiritually clean.

China and other countries in East Asia

China and other countries in East Asia celebrate the Lunar New Year, which falls on the new moon between January 21 and February 20. This holiday lasts for 15 days and includes the Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival.

Every country has its unique traditions and customs that help its residents welcome the New Year with joy and hope for luck and prosperity in the future.

In different corners of the world, New Year is celebrated with unique traditions.In Israel and among Jewish communities, this time is associated with Rosh Hashanah, which translates to "head of the year." In September or October, people gather for self-reflection and to celebrate the end of the year. Traditional symbols include dates, leeks, beets, and pomegranates, as well as the sounds of the shofar — a ram's horn.

Nowruz in Iran and Central Asia

In Iran and Central Asian countries, Nowruz is celebrated, which means "new day" in Persian.This ancient holiday, which begins on the first day of the vernal equinox in late March, keeps alive more than 4,000 years of tradition. People honor poetry, light bonfires and perform national music to symbolize victory over darkness.

Enkutatash in Ethiopia

Enkutatash, or the New Year according to the Ethiopian calendar, is celebrated in honor of the return of the Queen of Sheba and follows the rainy season.This holiday, which originated about 3000 years ago, lasts for a week, filling the streets with dancing and joy.

Diwali in Hinduism

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is celebrated by millions of Sikhs, Hindus and Jains between mid-October and mid-November.This five-day festival celebrates the beginning of a new life and is filled with the light of oil lamps, fireworks, and the exchange of gifts.

Ideas for New Year gifts

Gifts for the New Year should reflect the recipient's interests.For homebodies, cozy blankets or a subscription to a streaming service will do the trick. Gourmets will be delighted with gourmet food or a cooking class, while techies will enjoy the latest gadget or a certificate to an electronics store. For lovers of outdoor activities, give new equipment or a certificate to a sports store, and for girls - jewelry, spa treatments or massage sessions.

Conclusion

The celebration of New Year around the world is filled with a variety of amazing and wonderful traditions, each reflecting the uniqueness of the culture and history of its people. From throwing plates at friends' doors to the incredible custom of eating 12 grapes in Spain, each country welcomes the New Year in its own distinctive style.

The New Year holidays have become an integral part of the cultural heritage of many nations, combining age-old traditions with modern customs. The exchange of gifts, the dropping of the ball in Times Square in New York, or the mystical jumping over waves in Brazil — all these elements are just a small part of the amazing world of New Year customs.

Studying New Year's traditions not only helps us understand the characteristics of other cultures but also inspires us to create our own celebration traditions. Let's continue to discover the amazing customs of celebrating the New Year in different countries around the world and bring them to life, giving our celebration a special, global touch.