Global New Year’s Traditions: A Journey Around the World

From smashing plates to eating grapes, cultures worldwide welcome the New Year with unique and meaningful traditions. These practices, rooted in history and superstition, are believed to usher in good fortune, prosperity, and happiness for the year ahead. Here is a look at some of the most fascinating global New Year’s traditions from across the globe.

Spain: Eating 12 Grapes

As the clock strikes midnight, Spaniards eat one grape for each of the twelve bell chimes. Each grape represents good luck for one month of the coming year. This tradition, known as las doce uvas de la suerte (the twelve lucky grapes), dates back to the early 1900s.

Denmark: Smashing Plates

Danes collect unused plates throughout the year and smash them on the doorsteps of friends and family on New Year’s Eve. A larger pile of broken crockery is seen as a sign of having many loyal friends and signifies good luck for the new year.

Colombia: Carrying an Empty Suitcase

To ensure a year filled with travel and adventure, Colombians walk around their block carrying an empty suitcase at midnight. This symbolic act is believed to invite new journeys and experiences.

Japan: Ringing Bells 108 Times

Buddhist temples across Japan ring their bells 108 times in a tradition called Joya no Kane. This practice is believed to cleanse humanity of the 108 worldly desires and start the year with a pure soul. Many people also eat long soba noodles, called toshikoshi soba, to wish for a long life.

Philippines: Round Shapes for Prosperity

In the Philippines, roundness symbolizes prosperity. On New Year’s Eve, families display bowls of round fruits on their tables and wear clothing with polka dots. The circular shape, resembling coins, is thought to attract wealth.

Scotland: First-Footing

The first person to cross the threshold of a home after midnight, known as the “first-footer,” is thought to bring fortune for the year. Traditionally, a tall, dark-haired male carrying symbolic gifts like coal, bread, and whiskey is considered the luckiest visitor. This tradition is a key part of Hogmanay celebrations.

Brazil: Wearing White and Jumping Waves

Many Brazilians wear all-white outfits to symbolize peace and renewal. Those celebrating near the coast will jump over seven waves while making seven wishes. This ritual is a tribute to Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea, asking for her blessings and protection.

Estonia: Eating Seven Meals

To ensure abundance in the coming year, Estonians traditionally eat seven, nine, or twelve meals on New Year’s Day. It is believed that for each meal consumed, the person gains the strength of that many men for the year ahead.

Greece: Hanging Onions

On New Year’s Day, an onion (kremmida) is hung on the front door of homes as a symbol of rebirth and growth. In the morning, parents gently tap their children on the head with the onion to wake them up for church.

Chile: Cemetery Sleepover

In the town of Talca, families spend New Year’s Eve at the cemetery. They light candles and sit with their deceased loved ones, believing it brings comfort and allows them to start the year together.

Romania: Whispering to Animals

Romanian farmers try to “communicate” with their livestock on New Year’s Eve. If they succeed, it is said to bring good luck for the year. This tradition is tied to the belief that animals gain the power of speech for one night only.

Italy: Wearing Red Underwear

For good luck in love and life, Italians wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve. This tradition, dating back to medieval times, is believed to bring good fortune, and the undergarments are typically thrown out the next day.

And as for us Americans, we welcome the New Year with excitement and fanfare. May families and friends gather to watch to the iconic ball drop-in Times Square, either in person or on TV, counting down the final seconds together. Making New Year’s resolutions is another tradition – setting intentions for the new year and then come mid-year trying to remember those traditions. Nights are filled with parties, celebrations and fireworks from coast to coast with a kiss at midnight for good luck.