by Ah, New Year’s Eve – in the UK, a time of glitter, music, fireworks, and plenty to drink. And when it comes to rituals, we are certainly not without the odd tradition. In Scotland, for example, there are cornerstones – where it is said that the first person to enter the house after midnight would be a dark male (thought to be reminiscent of the region’s Viking history, when a visitor meant blonde is usually bad news) – and on Callan, of course, an extension of this mixed cultural heritage, where bonfires and parades signal the general joie de vivre.
Apart from that, however, it must be said that our celebrations are rather on the light side. Other countries take the countdown to midnight much more seriously. In South America, there are burning effigies, blizzards of paperwork and walks on empty cases. In Europe, fruit seems to play a big role in the celebration, and in the Philippines, it’s all about good fortune. Around the world, there are countless strange and beautiful practices planned to welcome the new year – here are some of the strangest.
Japan – 108 rings
In the UK, it is common to ring in the new year with singing Auld Lang Syne or watching the Hootenanny. In Japan, things are so musical. Known as ōmisoka, temples toll their bells 108 times to represent the number of worldly passions – with the final toll falling in the new year. The next day, people often visit a shrine on their first trip of the year. The holy ones are often so busy that additional public transport services are provided.
Argentina – throw paper out the window
With fireworks, champagne and panatón, Argentina participates in many of the world’s traditional new year celebrations. For Buenos Aires office workers, however, there are more occupational concerns. People shred their paper – think old paper, unfilled forms, unwanted bureaucracy – and scatter it out the windows, creating a joyful, if slightly messy, blizzard. It marks the start of the new year – and it looks pretty cheap too.
Romania – dressing up as bears
Various folk traditions across Europe see people dressed up as a strange amalgamation of animal spirits – and in Romania? It is the bear. At many year-end festivals and parades, groups dance in the streets dressed as fearsome grizzlies – many participants in costumes that are also old family heirlooms. It’s an energetic, exciting, competitive way to signal the beginning of spring (hopefully, yes, in December).
Ecuador – burning image
Ecuador’s año viejo celebrations are a bit more involved. Especially popular in smaller towns, families create año viejo figures, effigy dolls that are burned on a pyre at midnight. They are often in the form of famous people or politicians, or people who were heavily present in the media the previous year. Regardless of their reputation (or relative popularity), the figures for him represent a renewed new year.
Czech Republic – apples tell fortune
As well as being the first day of the new year, 1 January is also Czech Republic Day, commemorating the split of the Czech Republic and Slovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia on this date in 1993. this is important, it is traditional to slice an apple i. half and examine its core: if there is a star shape in the middle, you can expect happiness. The good news is less than a cross, however.
Turkey – broken pomegranates
Things get much worse when it comes to fruit in Turkey. Pomegranates are often associated with celebrations as they are seen as a symbol of wealth and beauty. A new year tradition involves breaking the fruit in front of your house as a way to bring good luck to the inhabitants (they are often given as gifts for the same reason).
Spain – eat grapes
As the clock strikes midnight in Spain, people might not immediately shower their loved ones with champagne or a kiss – instead, they eat 12 grapes to ward off bad luck. The tradition (which dates back to at least 1909, when enterprising entrepreneurs began selling grapes from peak harvest) is thought to have started at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol public square, where the famous bell tower can still be heard to strike midnight. commemoration across the country. .
Greece – onions
Many new year traditions focus on the idea of rebirth, and in Greece, this comes in the form of the humble onion. Considered a symbol of growth and fertility, onion clusters are hung from front doors (often after the family’s first church visit of the year) to promote personal growth for those within.
Philippines – accurate stuff
For those in the Philippines, the new year is all about safe things. Specifically, it’s about money: but approximations can be found everywhere, from polka-dotted dresses to a feast of 12 round fruits. Filipinos also leave their lights on and their doors open, to signify a bright year ahead.
Colombia – empty suitcases
It’s fun, it’s joyful, and it’s a lot cheaper than booking a trip for the new year. In Colombia, people take their empty suit on a walk around the block to encourage 12 months of travel. It might be a little chilly to do the same at midnight in Britain, but we can certainly all get behind the spirit.
