Strange New Year's Eve customs from around the world
Apart from the crystal ball landing in New York's Times Square, the New Year's Eve countdown at London's Big Ben and the fireworks display over Sydney Harbour Bridge, what other New Year's celebrations do you know of around the world?
In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is often accompanied by many taboos such as not sweeping or washing, and especially avoiding breaking things. If you accidentally break a bowl, you must immediately wrap it in red paper to avoid bad luck. However, in Denmark, the New Year's custom is completely opposite! On New Year's Eve, people will bring unused plates or bowls to their friends' houses and... break them in front of the door. In particular, this action must be done sincerely, because according to the concept, it will bring luck to both sides in the new year.
Not only Denmark, many other countries in the world also have very unique New Year's customs, which may even make you "shocked" when you hear them!
1. Burning an effigy (Panama)
In Asia, we often hear about making amulets using effigies to curse someone. But in Panama, during the New Year, people make wooden or straw effigies of themselves or their loved ones. These effigies are burned early in the morning to ward off bad luck and welcome good luck.
2. Smashing a Pomegranate (Greece)
Pomegranates have long held sacred significance, symbolizing fertility and prosperity. According to Greek tradition, people would bring a blessed pomegranate home from church and hang it on their front door from Christmas to New Year’s Day. When the clock struck January 1, the pomegranate would break into thirteen pieces, representing the 12 months and a portion of extra luck, symbolizing a good start and a full year.
3. Sleeping in the cemetery (Chile)
Chileans are known for their deep connection to spirituality. On New Year's Eve, in some areas, people take their pillows and blankets to cemeteries and sleep next to the graves of their deceased relatives. They believe this will help them receive blessings from their ancestors in the new year.
4. Fighting to ward off bad luck (Peru)
This unique custom takes place in Peru, where people hold fights on New Year's Eve. These fights are not meant to create hatred, but rather a way to relieve tension, resolve conflicts, and welcome the new year with a light and comfortable mood.
5. Jumping into an icy lake (Siberia)
In the cold Siberian region, people celebrate the New Year by jumping into a hole in an icy lake with a log. After climbing out, they leave the log in the lake, symbolizing leaving behind the bad luck of the past year. Of course, the prerequisite is that they can withstand this bitter cold without danger.
6. Apply powder before splashing water (Thailand)
People often know Thai New Year with the jubilant water festival. But few people know that, before splashing water, according to tradition, family members or friends will smear each other with a gray powder made from talcum powder. Only after completing this ritual, the water splashing begins, as a joyful way to welcome the new year.
7. Pouring water out the window (Puerto Rico)
In some parts of Puerto Rico, people celebrate the New Year by pouring buckets of water out of their windows onto the street. This is believed to help ward off evil spirits and negative energy, bringing good luck for the new year.
8. Throwing old furniture (South Africa)
If you think pouring water out of your window is creepy, you haven’t heard of South Africa. In some areas, people throw old furniture out of their windows on New Year’s Day to symbolize throwing away bad luck. This makes the streets a little dangerous at this time of year.
9. Happy New Year to the first cow (Belgium)
In rural areas of Belgium, the New Year's tradition begins with waking up early to wish a happy new year to your cows. This action is meant to pray for good health for the animals, good farming for the whole year and peace for the family.
10. Communicate with cows to tell fortunes (Romania)
Romanian farmers also pay special attention to their cows on New Year's morning. They will talk and confide in the cows, and if the cow responds with a few mooings, this is considered a sign of a lucky and prosperous new year.
11. Eat seven meals a day (Estonia)
In Estonia, the New Year's Day tradition is to eat seven meals a day. The number seven symbolizes fullness and abundance in the new year. It doesn't matter how much or how little you eat, as long as you eat enough meals.
12. Stuffing 12 grapes in mouth (Spain)
The Spanish have a special custom at the exact moment of midnight. When the clock strikes midnight, they try to stuff 12 grapes into their mouths. Each grape represents a lucky month in the new year, and it is believed that if they can do this, the whole year will be filled with joy and happiness.
Photos: Pinterest, Getty Images
