There are numerous ways to celebrate the beginning of a new year around the world. With the same goal – prosperity and luck for a new season – every nation and every city has a unique style.
Curiosities and traditions related to the end of the year
In Babylon, the new year was celebrated on March 23, 4000 years ago. In March, the Romans. In addition, Julius Caesar established the current calendar in the year 46.
In many Latin American nations, twelve grapes are consumed at midnight on December 31, although in Argentina raisins are used. The custom of grapes is specifically a Madrid custom.
Christmas Eve
It was first mentioned in a newspaper article in 1897. This tradition was created by the lower classes to mock the aristocracy and bourgeoisie for parodying the French nobility by drinking grapes and champagne on New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Eve in Brazil
On the first day of the year, lentils are consumed as a symbol of wealth in Brazil and Italy. To attract good fortune in the new year, people gather on Brazilian soil to jump the seven waves dressed in white.
New Year’s Eve in Japan
To attract good luck in the new year, people in Japan hang a rope on their door. Tradition dictates that it portends a fruitful and joyful year.
New Year’s Eve in Denmark
In Denmark, old dishes are usually thrown at friends’ doorsteps on New Year’s Eve and the more broken dishes you have, the more people will surround you and the luckier they will be in the new year.
New Year’s Eve in Uruguay
It is customary in Uruguay to throw the calendars of the year that are ending out the window to leave all the negative behind. To wash away all the negative, water is also thrown into the street.
New Year’s Eve in Germany
San Silvestre is the star of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Germany. To ward off evil spirits, wooden castles are burned in his honor. One of the customs is to leave some food on the plate so that there will be plenty the following year.
New Year’s Eve in Russia
For most children in Russia, New Year’s Day is like Christmas. On that day, the Ice Grandfather, a kind of local Santa Claus, visits girls’ homes and goes around the country handing out candy, dolls and toys.
Children often dance around the Christmas tree and recite poems to Grandfather Ice to receive these gifts.
New Year’s Eve in Paris
People congregate on the Champs-Elysées in Paris. This famous avenue is always packed with people as January 1 approaches, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, each with a bottle of champagne for a corresponding New Year’s celebration.
New Year’s Eve in Scotland
Scotland has a unique way of welcoming the new year. They carry a barrel wrapped in flames through the streets as part of their “Hogmanay” celebration, which consists of setting fire to a barrel. In this way, they usher in the New Year.
The tradition of the “first foot”, according to which the first person to enter a house on the first day of the year determines the family’s luck for the following months, is also practiced in Scotland.
With information from DePeru.com