New Year's Traditions

HANGZHOU FAMILY

New Year’s Traditions From Around The World

The eve of the Gregorian New Year is a time of celebration around the world, and amongst the celebrations, many cultures also have unique traditions or rituals to be performed at the turn of the new year, to bring happiness and prosperity to theirs and their families’ lives. Here are a few from around the world:

Scotland, North England Traditionally there is a belief the that first person to lay foot in a house in the New Year foretells that household’s fortune for the year ahead. As a result, at the stroke of midnight, it is traditional for a (preferably tall and dark-haired) man of the house to wait outside for the stroke of midnight, and then come into the house, bearing silver (for wealth), coal (for warmth), and bread or other foodstuff (for plentiful food). This tradition is called ‘first-footing’.

Japan Some Japanese have ‘forget-theyear’ parties and generally consider it a time to forgive and forget. They hang straw ropes across their homes’ facades to ward away evil spirits and welcome good luck and happiness.

Germany Here people cook and eat New Year’s Pretzels: circular in shape with a cross in the middle, they are said to represent good luck, health and peace.

Switzerland In Swiss homes, dollops of whipped cream, symbolising the richness of the year to come, are dropped on the floors.

Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria On New Year’s Day, many families wash their faces with silver coins in order to bring wealth and prosperity to their loved ones in the coming year.

India and Pakistan Eating rice at the turn of the year is believed to promise prosperity.

Bolivia Some Bolivians believe that specific colours of underwear signify what will come in the following year, with red signifying romance, yellow prosperity, and blue health.

Ecuador Ecuadorians traditionally build and then burn effigies of people, with messages pinned to their chests of wrongdoing, grudges or grievances, as well as what changes and improvements are desired for the coming year.

Spain Traditionally eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each month of the year, and one for each toll of the bell at midnight. A tradition which dates back to a monarch giving out grapes to his subjects in a year of bountiful harvest.

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