Following the influence of the first New year's celebration, and preparations leading up to it, several traditions have come to stay as we wrap up an old year, and usher in a new one. These traditions differ based on cultures and countries of origin. Anyway, let's take a trip through different traditions observed.
New Year's Eve Traditions Around the World
Colombia: the norm here is to carry empty suitcases around your block in anticipation of a year filled with travels.
Panama: here, effigies of famous people in Panama are burnt as a way to ward off evil spirits, in preparation for the new year.
Nigeria: like in most parts of Western Africa, the tradition of crossing over at a church service is most prominent. People basically go to church, and pray their way into the new year, after which other festivities begin.
Denmark: people throw old glasses and plates at the doors to banish evil spirits, as they mark the beginning of the new year.
Finland: people spend time trying to predict the new year. They do this by casting molten ton into the water and interpret whatever shape it takes eventually. Pig is a pointer for food, ship for travel, and a ring or heart for weddings.
Scotland: fireball swinging is most commonly practiced. People just swing fireballs placed on a stick over their heads. This is because fire is believed to represent the sun, and act as a cleanser for the new year.
Italian New Year's Eve Traditions
Some common traditions practised here on new year's eve include eating a huge meal using good recipes - lentils are also eaten for good luck in Italy as the round legumes look like coins, and thus believed to usher in wealth; fireworks display; and the practice of leaving home with money no matter how small, as it's believed that if you have money in your pocket on new year's, you'd always have money to take care of yourself all through the year.
New Year's Day Tradition
On New year's day in the UK, you'll find many people taking a dip in the sea which is courageous as the water is often freezing. In Scotland, there's a slight twist as people put on costumes before splashing in the water.
Large gatherings of people are also common on new year's day, whether It's for the London parade, group meetings in the church, or at social events for good causes.
New Year Good Luck Traditions
There are different practices believed to bring good luck when done on new year's. A few examples include:
Brazil: the secret here is underwear. Yes, Special underwear is believed to make you lucky when they are worn into the new year. Red symbolizes love, and yellow represents money.
Denmark: here, people jump off chairs as a literal leap into the new year. It is believed to bring good luck.
Yorkshire: 'Black rabbits, black rabbits, black rabbits' is said as the year ends, and 'White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits,' as the new year begins, for good luck. Just make sure you're wide awake so you don't sleepily invite bad luck in.
Philippines: you can find round shapes around on new year's eve. They are used to represent coins and signal prosperity and good luck for the coming year. People also wear polka dots for the same reason.
New year's food traditions around the world
In the Philippines, a common sight is a display of fruit piles, with many families eating exactly 12 round fruits, usually grapes.
In Spain, the tradition is also to eat 12 grapes on new year's eve, with you eating one at every stroke of the clock at midnight to represent good luck for each of the months in the year. Sometimes people meet up to share beer and wine, along with the grapes.
Greece: onion symbolizes rebirth, and is hung around on new year's eve. Parents also wake their children by using an onion to tap them on the head.
Southern United States: black-Eyed Peas, Greens, and Cornbread is about the most common new year's day food, with them believed to bring good luck, money and gold. This combination can also be found in open restaurants.
Pork symbolizes progress and is eaten in that regard by many people on new year's.
Fish symbolizes abundance, and different cultures eat whole fish or parts on new year's.
The cake is eaten to symbolize luck especially when it's round. Sometimes coins are baked with it, and whoever finds one in their piece is thought to earn extra luck.
What new year's eve tradition will you be observing come December 31st?
