New Year's Eve Traditions Around the World
As the world prepares to welcome 2025, cultures all around the globe celebrate the New Year with unique traditions. We saw how different cultures celebrated winter holidays, now lets dive in to see how they celebrate the new year!
Spain and Latin America: The Twelve Grapes of Luck
In countries like Spain, Portugal, and parts of Latin America, it's customary to eat 12 grapes at midnight—one for each chime of the clock. This tradition, known as "las doce uvas de la suerte," is believed to bring good fortune for each month of the coming year.
Italy: Lentils for Prosperity
Italians usher in the New Year by consuming lentils, symbolizing wealth and prosperity due to their coin-like shape. Often accompanied by "cotechino" (a type of sausage), this meal is thought to bring financial success in the year ahead.
Scotland: First-Footing
In Scotland, the Hogmanay celebration includes "first-footing," where the first person to enter a home after midnight determines the household's luck. Traditionally, a dark-haired male bearing gifts like coal, shortbread, or whisky is preferred to ensure good fortune.
Japan: Joya no Kane
Japanese Buddhist temples ring bells 108 times at midnight, a ritual called "Joya no Kane." Each toll represents one of the 108 human desires believed to cause suffering, cleansing individuals of past sins and allowing for a fresh start.
Brazil: Jumping Waves and Wearing White
In Brazil, many dress in white for peace and prosperity and head to the beach to jump over seven waves, making a wish with each leap. This practice honors Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea, seeking her blessings for the New Year.
Philippines: Round Objects for Wealth
Filipinos focus on round shapes, symbolizing coins and wealth. Families display 12 round fruits, wear polka dots, and keep coins in their pockets, all intended to attract prosperity and good fortune.
Greece: Hanging Onions
In Greece, onions are hung on doors as a symbol of rebirth and growth. On New Year's Day, parents often tap their children on the head with the onions to wake them, signifying a fresh start and renewed energy.
Denmark: Smashing Plates
Danes welcome the New Year by throwing old plates and glasses against the doors of friends and family, symbolizing the banishment of bad spirits. The more broken dishes at your doorstep, the more friends and good fortune you'll have in the coming year.
Colombia: Suitcase Walks
In Colombia, walking around the block with an empty suitcase is believed to bring a year filled with travel and adventure. This tradition reflects the Colombian love for exploration and desire for a travel-rich year ahead.
United States: Times Square Ball Drop
In the United States, particularly in New York City, the dropping of the illuminated ball in Times Square at midnight is a central part of New Year's celebrations. This tradition dates back to 1907 and is watched by millions worldwide, symbolizing the transition into the New Year.
I love learning about other cultures and different celebrations around the world, and I hope you enjoyed reading about the different ways people celebrate the new year. I hope all of you have a safe and wonderful holiday, and may 2025 be your best year yet!
Jessica
Development Manager | IndieMe Marketplace
jessica@indieme.com
