The Weird Traditions Of Celebrating New Years From Around The Globe
New Year’s Day is celebrated with lots of love and partying. It was originally celebrated in pre-Christian Rome and was dedicated to Janus, the god of gateways and beginnings. After him, January was named.
It has also been observed that in Christianity, this day is the day when Jesus Christ was baptized and named. It is still observed in the Anglican Church and Lutheran Church. Meanwhile, according to the Gregorian calendar, the Romans celebrated New Year’s for the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.
Now with so much advancement and festive spirit, New Year’s is celebrated with the sparkling light of fireworks and spending time with family. There is also a culture of partying on this night to mark the beginning of a new year.
But there are many other traditions which are followed to start the New Year with delight and positivity. Let’s get to know the strangest New Tradition all over the globe.
- Using Round Things, the Philippines
Well, money is the God of everyone and coins are always round. To Filipinos starting the year with round things like round food means bringing wealth and prosperity in their life. Cold hard cash is important for everyone you know. If something is round, they are going to use it for decoration and celebration.
- Burning Scarecrows, Ecuador
Everyone is aware of what a scarecrow is. The big human shaped scary decoration made of hay, that farmers put up in their farm to scare away the crows and birds who feed on their harvest. To banish away any bad spirit or ill fortune, the Ecuadorians set their scarecrows to fire. These burning scarecrows are filled with paper to start the year.
And not just scarecrows but photos of the past year are burnt too. This is to signify that the past should remain behind us.
- Breaking Plates, Denmark
Well, if there is one thing you will find outside your door on the next day of New Year’’ then it will be broken plates. It is a tradition in Denmark to store the unused crockery all over the year and then smash it in front of the gates of the ones they love. A weird way sure but that is their way of celebrating their new year.
- Takanakuy Festival – Peru
The literal meaning of Takanakuy is when the blood is boiling and that is what happens at this festival. Celebrated in December, in this festival people go face off in a knuckle brawling match which is set in the local public areas of Peru. All these matches are friendly and are overseen by the police. This festival signifies that all the anger and conflicts of the previous should have ended in that year and shouldn’t pass on to the new year.
- Eating 12 Grapes, Spain
Another challenge. This game is very simple, people have to stuff their faces with 12 grapes. At the midnight stroke of New Year, the Spaniards start their new year with this weird tradition. At every stroke of the bell, one grape is stuffed into the mouth. If you succeed then you will have good luck in the following year.
- Coloured Underwears, South America
Well, the people of South America kick in their superman by wearing contrasting underwear. Wearing them inside or over your pants is your wish.
For the ones seeking love wear red underpants, the people who want to be rich and wish for wealth, they wear yellow underpants. If you just want a peaceful year, wear white underpants and you are happy.
- 108 Ringing, Japan
Japan follows the Buddhist tradition. And according to the Buddhist one should sit through 108 strikes of the bell when then New Years’ starts. This tradition is followed to banish all the human sins and free the human for all the bad deeds they have done in the past year.
Well, this year it can be quite impossible to visit any of these countries. But you can enjoy videos of these festivals which are available everywhere.
By the way, don’t forget to go a little extra and give your loved ones something quirky this New Year. Confused about where to buy? Get goodies and gifts at Indigifts.
