Almost every country celebrates the New Year, but various cultures celebrate in different ways. Fireworks and parties are a common way to celebrate, while many cultures continue their tradition of celebrating the New Year with unique ways passed down from ancestors. The holiday is a celebration of cultural beliefs and customs, and how these two have influenced how people around the World have celebrated.
Here are some interesting facts about how people from different countries celebrate the New Year:
Different New Year Dates
Not everyone celebrates New Year on January 1st. For example, China celebrates New Year based on the lunar calendar and its date typically occurs sometime between late January and early February. In India, different regions celebrate New Year on various dates for example Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Baisakhi, or Vishu. This supports the concept that although the date is different, all cultures have the same belief in creating a “new beginning.”
Food Representing Good Luck and Wealth
The role of food in New Year’s celebrations is significant in different countries around the world. For example, in Spain, it is traditional to eat twelve grapes at midnight, one for each chime of the clock, to bring good luck for the upcoming year.
In Italy, lentils are eaten for New Year’s because of their similarity to coins and belief that they will result in increasing wealth. In Japan, the consumption of long buckwheat noodles (Toshikoshi Soba) is intended to provide health and long lives.
Unique Traditions and Beliefs
In Denmark, it is tradition for individuals to throw broken or chipped pottery out onto family or friend’s doorsteps in hopes of receiving good luck and having solid relationships with those individuals. The more shattered pottery found on the doorstep, the more good fortune an individual has for that year.
In Scotland, the practice of First-Footing is tradition. The first individual to rise after midnight, entering a house, is believed to bring presents, such as loafs of bread or lumps of coal, and in turn, to have them ensure a plentiful harvest or prosperity for the household.
Cleaning & Releasing Our Past
New Year’s Day is celebrated in many different ways around the world, but the idea of cleaning your home before the end of one year and into the next is an important tradition for some cultures. In Japan and parts of China, cleaning represents letting go of past misfortunes and creating room for good fortune and new possibilities in the upcoming year.
Other cultures believe that by writing down things they’d like to forget or change about themselves and discarding that paper, they can begin anew with a clear mind and body.
Firework Displays and Loud Sounds
Around the globe, fireworks are a common way to bring in the New Year. Countries such as the United States of America, Australia, and Brazil ring in the New Year with a grand display of fireworks.
The belief behind using loud noises during New Year celebrations has existed since ancient times, as it was believed that the loud noises created during New Year celebrations would scare off evil spirits and negative energies. Today, people continue to practice this tradition and use fireworks as a way of welcoming in the New Year.
New Year’s Resolutions
The act of making New Year’s resolutions is a common practice in most Western countries. The resolutions usually include commitments to improve health through exercise, save money, and acquire new skills. Even though it is often difficult to maintain these promises over time, the process of making a resolution demonstrates an individual’s optimistic attitude, reflection upon themselves, and their desire to grow personally and professionally.
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