For many, New Year’s Eve is a night of great fun, from the countdown to the tons of different traditions of many across the world. No matter how you celebrate New Year’s, this special celebration is an important start to the year. These celebrations are thought to bring you luck and “good fortune” in the new year ahead.
America:
America has one of the most famous traditions in Times Square in New York City: The Ball Drop. But there are also many other traditions around the country. They use a “giant peach” in Atlanta, Georgia, a “big cheese” in Plymouth, Wisconsin, a “great mushroom” in Kennett Square, PA, and New Orleans a “fleur de lis”.
Many Americans will either attend or watch this celebration on screen. Many Americans also find someone to kiss at the exact time the clock strikes 12 o’clock in the new year. This is meant to signify luck and stable relationships for the new year.
Spain:
In Latin America, originating in Spain, they will eat 12 grapes once the new year strikes. One for each ding of the clock at 12. This is known as a “lucky food” and is meant to bring them luck for the rest of their year.
This is known as “las doce uvas de la suerte” or better known as “the twelve grapes of luck.” Each grape also represents one month of the new year ahead of them. And is commonly consumed under a dining table.
Germany:
Continuing with the “Lucky food” theme, in Germany it is known to gift Marzipan pigs to friends and family as a way to wish them good luck throughout the year. It is like finding a four-leaf clover or horseshoe.
This “lucky pig” normally will be made with a four-leaf clover to represent its good luck to any who it has been gifted to. It is such a cute and fun way to celebrate the new year!
Brazil:
In Brazil, some head to the beach on New Year’s Eve and stay until the clock strikes twelve. This takes place since it is summer in Brazil. Some Brazilians even dress in white as a sign of good luck and peace for the new year.
Many will light candles and throw white flowers into the water as an offering for Yemoja, the queen of the ocean.
Ecuador:
Here it is popular to burn monigotes or a large doll. These dolls are burned during the day and night of New Year’s Eve. This symbolizes the right and wrongs of what happened in the past year.
Denmark:
Breaking plates is a common tradition in Denmark. Although breaking glass is not a normal sight, it is extremely popular in Denmark. On New Year’s Eve, friends will go to each other’s front step and break a plate. It is praised to have many broken plates outside of your door by the end of the night.
Japan:
In Japan, a common tradition is the ringing of bells on New Year’s. They strike temple bells exactly 108 times before midnight arrives. These 108 rings are meant to represent the 108 human sins.
This is seen as a way to rid Japan of the past year’s bad experiences and deeds and bring luck. Another is in Tokyo, Japan when the “watched night” bell rings 107 times on December 31st and ends when the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. This is nearly as popular as the Ball Drop in New York.
This holiday and its traditions seem to bring luck and joy to many from the beginning to the end of the year! Whether you eat lucky food, break plates, or even steal a New Year’s kiss, this is a holiday of fun, happiness, and the start of a hopefully good new year.
