Travel experts have rounded up eight distinctive New Year’s Eve traditions from around the world, including some surprising customs Brits might not have heard of
For Brits, New Year’s Eve typically involves fireworks, enjoying a few drinks and belting out Auld Lang Syne alongside loved ones.
However, in other nations, their festivities take a rather more peculiar turn. From torching effigies and smashing crockery to hurling furniture from windows and conversing with animals, some of the most extraordinary and unconventional New Year’s customs from across the globe have been uncovered.
Travel specialists at My Baggage, a luggage delivery service, identified eight of the most peculiar traditions from nations including Ecuador, Japan and Denmark. Some are steeped in history, while others are newer traditions that many have taken up.
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To ward off any misfortune or negative experiences from the previous 12 months, Ecuadorians ignite paper-stuffed scarecrows at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. It appears the Greeks aren’t alone in their fondness for shattering pottery during festive occasions; the Danes also launch unused plates, accumulated throughout the year, at the front doors of relatives and mates on December 31.
Scarecrow burning – Ecuador
To dispel any misfortune or negative experiences from the past 12 months, Ecuadorians ignite scarecrows stuffed with paper at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. They also set alight photographs symbolising the outgoing year.
The scarecrows are modelled after politicians, pop culture figures, and other icons of the year just passed. The tradition of cleansing the bad from the last 12 months is known as ‘año viejo’, which translates to ‘old year’. For extra luck, people can even jump the flames 12 times for each month – but that does risk joining your effigy in the fire.
Smashing plates – Denmark
It appears it’s not only the Greeks who take pleasure in shattering pottery during festive events. On New Year’s Eve, Danes also fling unused plates that have been collected over the year at the front doors of their loved ones.
The act symbolises friendship, love and good luck for the coming year. The idea is quite simple – he bigger thepile of broken crockery at your front door, the more popular and fortunate you are believed to be. In turn, this then wards off evil spirits and gives you a chance to start the new year fresh.
108 rings – Japan
In Japan, bells chime 108 times in a Buddhist tradition believed to cleanse all human sins. The ritual, known as Joya no Kane, which translates as ‘midnight bell’, is mainly celebrated in Japan but is also observed in South Korea and at Japanese Buddhist temples around the world.
The tradition dates back to the Song dynasty in China, and was introduced to Japanese Zen temples during the Kamakura period from 1185 to 1333. At that time, temple bells were rung 108 times in the morning and evening each day. The event now recognised as Joya no Kane on New Year’s Eve emerged in the Muromachi period from 1333 to 1573.
Entering the New Year with a smile or laughter is also considered auspicious.
Round things – Philippines
In hopes of attracting prosperity and wealth for the forthcoming year, Filipinos surround themselves with round objects on New Year’s Eve, symbolising coins and affluence. They also eat grapes, carry coins in their pockets, and don polka-dotted attire, among other practices.
The circle is meant to represent harmony, unity, continuity and the endless cycle of life. It embodies close family ties and relationships that continue from year to year. Circles also represent coins, wealth and prosperity. Families will fill their tables with round fruits, such as oranges, grapes and melons in the hopes of a fruitful future year with flowing prosperity. The number 12 is also significant, with it believed that consuming 12 different round fruits at midnight will bring blessings during each month of the year to come.
Tossing furniture out of the window – Italy
In certain regions of Italy, it’s customary to hurl old furniture out of balconies on New Year’s Eve, signifying a fresh start for the upcoming year. However, to avoid injuries, most locals limit themselves to small and soft items.
Nowadays, people observe the ritual by throwing away old things. But back in ancient times that was done by literally throwing things out the window. The tradition, mostly popular in southern Italy, is supposed to symbolise ‘letting go’ of past unhappiness to prepare for the future.
Coloured underwear – South America
In South American nations such as Mexico, Bolivia, and Brazil, the colour of your undergarments on New Year’s Eve is believed to determine your luck for the upcoming year. Those seeking love are advised to don red underwear, while individuals desiring tranquillity in the new year should opt for white.
But there’s a catch – the underwear has to be new, according to Berenice Villagomez, Coordinator of Latin American Studies at the University of Toronto. Some believe the tradition comes from ancient pagan customs, where clothing worn on New Year’s Eve was thought to sway the favour of the gods and goddesses who watch over various parts of your life.
Green, for example, was to be worn by those wanting a bountiful harvest in homage to the goddess of the harvest. Nowadays green is worn for wealth. Red is, obviously, the colour of passion and associated with love and the prospect of a new romance. Yellow symbolises luck, pink is for fun and friendship to build new relationships, white is for new beginnings, peace and fresh starts, and blue is linked to health – mind, body and soul.
Throwing paper out the window – Argentina
In Argentina, a unique tradition involves shredding old documents and papers before the year concludes, symbolising the act of leaving the past behind. These shredded pieces are then tossed out of windows like confetti around midday on December 31.
The tradition originated in the capital, Buenos Aires, when office workers sorting through documents, old reports and unnecessary paperwork decided to have some fun with the moment rather than just throwing things in the bin. Each piece of paper symbolises the last year – whether that’s old business, experiences or even mistakes.
Talking to animals – Romania
Over in Romania, farmers spend their New Year’s Day attempting to converse with their livestock, with successful communication considered a sign of good fortune. But if your cow shuns you, be prepared for a bleak year ahead.
Another Romania tradition is to dress up as a bear and dance around in front of your house to ward off evil spirits.
