Ushering in the new year is seeped in tradition for many around the world, from smashing dishes to gobbling grapes.
In this piece we take a look at some of the ways that people ring in the new year.
Spain
In Spain, tradition calls for the eating of 12 grapes at midnight, one on each stroke of the clock, to bring good luck for every month of the coming year. According to Reader’s Digest, “Spaniards subscribe to the superstition that the last 12 seconds of the year can determine your fate for the next year, all dependent on how many grapes you can chow down in a short period of time”.
United Kingdom
The tradition of “first footing” is a big in Scotland, Wales and parts of northern England, and involves a guest, a dark-haired man, being allowed inside in the New Year for good luck. According to the tradition, as told by West Wales Holiday Cottages, the man leaves the house by the back door just before midnight on New Year’s Eve and at the stroke of midnight, knocks on the front door. The householder opens the door and receives salt for seasoning, silver for wealth, coal for warmth, a match for kindling and bread for sustenance from him.
Brazil
Lentils and brightly coloured underpants are a well-known tradition for Brazilians as they welcome the new year. They believe that wearing the right colour undies for New Year’s will bring good fortune their way; for example, red for love and yellow for wealth. Legumes also signify prosperity.
Colombia
In Colombia, it’s not surprising to see people rolling empty suitcases around in the streets at the stroke of midnight. It is believed this popular tradition will guarantee at least one travel adventure in the coming year, Reader’s Digest suggests. It is also a tradition that is followed in many Latin American countries.
Denmark
In Denmark, residents throw plates and glasses against each others’ front doors to banish bad spirits to ring in the new year. Other countries also enjoy making noise at the start of the new year to ward off bad luck, which is why fireworks are so popular.
Trinidad and Tobago
In the Caribbean, there are many traditions to welcome the new year, but in Trinidad and Tobago, one of the most popular is eating a meal consisting of black-eyed peas and rice for good luck.
Greece
In Greece, tradition calls for smashing a pomegranate on the floor as the clock strikes midnight. Greeks believe the fruit’s seeds symbolise prosperity and good luck, so the more seeds you see, the better the year ahead should be. Hanging bulbs of onion on the front door is also another popular tradition to herald the new year and traces back to classical times as a symbol of regeneration and growth.
Japan
Buddhist temples across Japan ring their bells 108 times – the total number of human earthly desires in this faith as they welcome the new year. Some worshippers also dress up as the next year’s zodiac animal – 2024 is the year of the wood dragon.
Switzerland
In Switzerland, residents throw a dollop of cream on the floor for good luck to welcome the new year. The Swiss also take to the streets in colorful costumes to perform their age-old ceremony of chasing away spirits as part of their new year tradition.
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