Every country has its own traditions that accompany New Year’s, and they are sometimes hilarious.
New Year is the main calendar holiday that comes at the moment of transition from the last day of the current year to the first day of the next year. It is celebrated all over the world, though not as solemnly as Christmas everywhere, but the New Year is usually accompanied by numerous rituals that differ in each country.
The beginning of the year on January 1 was established by the Roman ruler Julius Caesar in 46 BC. In ancient Rome, this day was dedicated to Janus the Two-Faced, the god of choice and new beginnings, even the month of January was named after this god.
Interestingly, the New Year begins with the state of Kiribati on the Line Islands in the Pacific Ocean, taking into account time zones. Some countries celebrate the New Year according to the lunar calendar.
Thus, there are several New Years: January 1 is celebrated according to the Gregorian, Julian and New Julian calendars. Chinese New Year from January 21 to February 21, Nowruz on March 21 or 22 in Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and some other countries, in Bangladesh on April 14 and days after the 163rd Passover (before September 5 and 5 Not before October) – Rosh Hashanah is celebrated in Israel.
But the night from December 31 to January 1 is the most familiar and crowded New Year in the world, prepared in advance and celebrated according to tradition. Sometimes very funny.
Austria
In Austria, as in other Catholic countries, the New Year is also called St. Sylvester’s Day. In honor of this saint, Austrians make a punch of cinnamon, sugar and red wine. And the main dish and symbol of the holiday is a pig. It is prepared for the festive table and everyone must eat at least one piece of his head, this is called “join the happiness of the pig”. And the piglet gives the figurines to each other.
There is another fascinating tradition: Johann Strauss’s operetta “Die Fledermaus” was played for many years at the Vienna Opera on 31 December and 1 January. And in the famous Hofburg Palace, Viennese balls are held.
Bulgaria
On New Year’s Eve, here it is customary to lightly beat with cranberry sticks – this attracts good luck and sets a rich table. And in Bulgaria, right after the clock rings, the lights in the room are turned off so people can kiss in the dark. This time is called “One minute of New Year’s kisses.” It is believed that at the moment you can kiss any person you like, and many even hold contests: who will kiss more people.
Great Britain
It is customary in England to kiss under mistletoe bundles on New Year’s Eve and Christmas. These are clear echoes of the ancient Roman saturnalia, where it was possible to kiss even strangers, and houses were decorated with green branches. And the first guest after the twelfth tick of the clock should be a dark-haired young man – then the year will be successful. The first guest should bring bread, coal and a pinch of salt. Coal should be burned in the fireplace.
Previously, the New Year in Scotland was celebrated on the night of November 1, because of the ancient Celtic tradition. The main feature of the celebration was fire – people lit fires and jumped over them. In modern Scotland, the New Year is celebrated on January 1, but fire rituals have survived. On New Year’s Eve, burning tar barrels roll in the streets.
And one of the new traditions, “Love Actually” has been added to the list of holiday movies.
Greece
In Greece, the New Year coincides with St. Basil’s day, who brings presents to children and puts them on shoes. And when you go on a visit, you need to take with you a stone thrown on the threshold of the lord’s house. If the stone is big, you should say “May the owner’s property be as heavy as this stone”, if it is small, “Let the thorn in the owner’s eye be as small as this stone”. “
Also in Greece, they bake a festive New Year’s vasilopita cake, in which they hide a coin – whoever gets it will be lucky.
Denmark
Danes believe that on New Year’s Eve you have to jump, so with the first blow of the bells they climb higher, or at least on a chair, to jump to the floor at midnight.
There is also an old tradition of breaking tableware on the doors of relatives and friends on New Year’s Eve to wish happiness in the new year. The more shards on the door, the more loved the homeowner’s relatives and friends. It’s also a good way to get rid of old dishes. The most desperate citizens bathe in the bay of Copenhagen harbor.
Spain
New Year’s in Spain has been celebrated magnificently since the 16th century: however, as in most countries, festive processions are held and fireworks are launched.
They also fill their mouths with grapes. Every beat of the bells is swallowed by every grape and is accompanied by a New Year’s wish. Therefore, even special containers with 12 grapes are sold on the streets in order to be fully prepared for the ringing hour. In Madrid, people gather under the Puerta del Sol clock tower with bunches of grapes.
And the main rule: you need to wear red underwear for the New Year – it is believed that it brings happiness. Many people walk the streets in red shorts on New Year’s Eve.
Italy
The Italian tradition of throwing old things out of windows is perhaps the most famous New Year’s tradition. Peri Bofana or Befana also brings gifts to children. It is also important to meet a young man after the bell rings – it promises happiness. All other options – just give bad word. Especially the priest: meeting him means a funeral.
Portugal
It is also customary to eat 12 grapes and wear red underwear here. It is desirable that it be new. Then it will definitely bring good luck.
It is also customary to throw away the old year by hitting the spoons on the pots. In Portugal, it is customary to swim in the ocean, leaving behind the hardships of the past year.
Argentina
It is also customary in Argentina to get rid of old papers, that is, unnecessary papers, on New Year’s Eve. So on New Year’s Eve, newspapers and magazines fly out of the windows. They are filled with all the central streets of cities.
Japan
Japan loves Western traditions to celebrate Christmas and New Year, so fancy Christmas trees and fireworks are a must. But there are also traditions of decorating houses with compositions of spruce branches, bamboo and tangerines that attract good luck.
It is also customary to decorate the house with blunt arrows (to protect the house from trouble), special bamboo rakes (attract happiness), and boats with the seven gods of luck. On New Year’s Eve, children are given envelopes with money in them, and everyone is served wee, a dessert made from rice flour.
It was previously known which colors are best to celebrate the New Year 2023. Tips on how to best meet the Black Water Rabbit, the owner of the year, were given by the famous Ukrainian designer Andre Tan.
Source: Focus
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