While every country around the globe brings in the new year at the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve, the celebrations to usher in a brand new year are different in different corners of the globe.
We all have our own small traditions when it comes to celebrating the holidays, Thanksgiving, or even New Year’s right. Just like that, every country has its own unique way of bringing in the new year and you would be surprised by some of these beautiful traditions. The idea behind every tradition is the same, leaving the past/evil behind and bringing in good luck. But the celebrations behind this tradition are as unique as they can be in different countries. So, this year we thought let’s find out how other cultures celebrate and usher in the new year.
One of the most popular New Year’s Eve spectacles, the ball drop at Times Square is how the Americans bring in the new year. Started in 1907 to bring the year 1908 by the New York Times owner Adolph Ochs to draw more attention or publicity to the Times’s new headquarters, the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop became immensely popular and is watched by millions of Americans every year. You will see thousands of people on the streets of Times Square despite the freezing temperatures to witness this beautiful event.
While it might sound strange but this tradition is actually very much true. In Spain, locals eat exactly 12 grapes (symbolizing each stroke of the clock) at the stroke of midnight to bring in luck, prosperity, and good fortune. The tradition was started in the 1800s by vine growers in the Alicante area to actually increase the sale of grapes during the new year. But this unique celebration quickly caught on and has since been believed to bring good luck.
In Japan, the new year is welcomed by enjoying a bowl of soba noodles. This tradition is known as Toshi Koshi soba or the year-crossing noodles. The history behind this tradition is unknown but it is believed that the noodle's thin shape and long length are supposed to signify a long and healthy life. What can be a better way to bring in the new year, right?
One of the unique traditions across the globe is from Denmark. Here, people smash plates at their friends' and relatives' front doors on New Year’s Eve. This tradition comes from the belief in leaving behind any hard or harsh feelings and starting the New Year with a fresh start. The more smashed plates in front of your door, the more luck you will have in the new year.
If you love traveling then you should visit Columbia on New Year’s Eve. Wondering why? In Columbia people carry empty suitcases and walk around the block on New Year’s eve because they believe it brings in a new year filled with travels and new adventures!
Apart from being a kitchen staple, onion can also bring in good luck. Don’t believe us? Ask the people from Greece! After the church service on New Year’s day, local people in Greece hang an onion outside their door as they believe it brings growth and fertility. We bet you had not heard of this New Year’s Eve tradition.
In the Philippines, you will see families serving 12 round fruits like plums, apples, and more during New Year’s Eve as it is believed to attract prosperity. The round shape represents coins and the number 12 represents each month of the year.
Ireland has a fun New Year’s Eve tradition. Single girls sleep with a mistletoe under their pillow as it is believed to help them find their future husbands.
As soon as the clock strikes midnight, you will find the locals in Turkey sprinkling salt on their doorstep. This tradition like most New Year’s Eve traditions is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and growth in the new year.
If you ever bring in the new year in Japan you will hear bells ringing 108 times on New Year. That’s because the Buddhist temples ring their bells 107 times on New Year’s Eve and the 108th one right after the clock strikes 12. Known as joyanokane, this tradition is believed to ward off the 108 evil desires that are present in each one of us and cleanse every sin from the past year. How amazing is that, right? A new year on a fresh note!
We hope you loved reading about the unique traditions around the world as much as loved writing about them for you. Traditions are all about belief and no matter which tradition you believe in we hope this New Year brings in all the luck, good health and prosperity to you!
