New Year traditionsShutterstock.com
by Asaël Häzaq
Whether with family, friends, or on your own, the transition to the new year is a unique and often awaited moment. From South Africa, France, China, to Spain, each country has its own traditions and its own way of celebrating the New Year's eve. But does everyone celebrate the New Year on January 1? Between customs, challenges, rituals and history, here is an overview of some unique New Year traditions.
Canada's polar bear plunge
In Canada, the passage to the new year is no less than a challenge. Following the example of the polar bear dive, the most daring people will be kicking off the year by running into freezing cold lakes, oceans and dive into the Canadian icy waters (temperatures are close to 0 degrees or barely positive). After the cold plunge, the most courageous ones take part in a 100-meter race. Then comes the reward: a hot drink.
New Zealand's New Year with a fanfare
In New Zealand, the changeover to the new year can be heard in every street. As soon as midnight has passed, New Zealanders take to the streets with pots and pans and other kitchen utensils to make as much noise as possible. A popular and cheerful fanfare to celebrate the transition to the new year.
Denmark' carousel of plates
In Denmark, they don't take out the pots and pans, but the crockery. Plates, cups, saucers, etc., everything works, as long as the dishes are chipped or damaged. They will end up smashed against the door of the house on the evening of December 31. This ritual is believed to bring happiness and success and to chase evil spirits. The more broken plates there are, the more effective the ritual is said to be.
Colombia's traveler's instinct
Get your suitcases out, the Colombians say! In Colombia, one of the New Year's traditions is all about those who love to travel. At midnight, Colombians go around their neighborhoods carrying an empty suitcase. Besides being a call to discovery, this small nocturnal tour is supposed to herald a prosperous year of travel and adventure.
Spain's 12 midnight grapes
Do you have grapes? 12, to be precise. In Spain, the tradition is to eat 12 grapes when the clock strikes midnight: one grape for each month. Eating the 12 grapes is believed to bring luck and happiness for the whole year. The tradition is so popular that it is broadcast on national TV networks. Thousands of Spaniards also gather at the Puerta del Sol, Madrid's iconic square, to celebrate the arrival of the new year by eating the lucky grapes. But keeping up with the 12-second limit is a challenging task. The one who manages to eat the 12 grapes in rhythm will have good luck for the whole year. The smartest ones opt for seedless grapes, which are easier to swallow.
France's midnight kiss
At midnight on December 31, according to French tradition, people toast and kiss their beloved under a mistletoe tree. This custom, however, rarer nowadays, can still be seen in romantic movies. One can be satisfied with a simple kiss or more if both feel like it, and toast to the new year.
Poland's twelve midnight dishes
On the New Year's eve, Poles prepare a generous meal made up of twelve dishes in reference to the twelve months of the year. The carp has a special place among all the dishes; it is the staple of the traditional meal, and its scales are also a sign of good luck. According to the custom, you should keep a few scales in your wallet. They are believed to bring luck throughout the year.
The year in Ecuador goes up in flames
In Ecuador, the bad things of the past year end up in smoke. Ecuadorians make human-sized puppets, some with the faces of unpopular personalities. At the stroke of midnight, the puppets are burned, taking with them all the bad things of the past year, according to tradition. This custom helps to turn the page of the past and start a new year.
Brazil's 7 lucky jumps
This tradition will delight swimmers and intrepid people. On New Year's eve, Brazilians gather on Copacabana beach. At midnight, they jump into the water fully dressed and try to hop over 7 waves. With each hop, they make a wish or express their gratitude. At the water's edge, the tradition requires that one dresses in white (a symbol of luck and peace) to offer offerings to the goddess of the sea. Wicker baskets containing mirrors, jewels and sweets are sent to float on the water. If the baskets return to the shore, it is a bad sign, meaning that the goddess has refused the offering. The unfortunate rejected ones would then face 12 months of misfortune. If the baskets continue their journey on the sea, then the good news is that they will have 12 months of prosperity.
Russia's wishes go into bubbles
In Russia, people write their wishes on a small piece of paper which is then burned. However, be wary not to throw the ashes away. Instead, you are advised to recover and sprinkle them in your glass of champagne. Then, at midnight, you must drink the glass in one go. The ashes thus ingested are said to ensure that the wishes will come true in the year.
The New Year is not always on January 1st
New Year's Eve does not always fall on December 31. In some countries, celebrations take place on some other day of the year.
South Africa's great January 2 Carnival
It is called the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival. Back in the 19th century, when slavery was still rife in Cape Town, black people were not allowed to celebrate New Year's Eve on December 31, the day reserved for whites. The then slaves used their day of rest, January 1, to celebrate the New Year. This holiday used to be known as Coon Carnival or Kaapse klopse. But the term is no longer used in South Africa as it is considered disrespectful. The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival brings together thousands of people. Singers and dancers parade in festive and colorful costumes. Trumpets, banjos and drums echo through the streets of the city.
Thailand's April Water Festival
In Thailand, there is no holiday on December 31 as the new year is celebrated on April 12. Songkran is a festival celebrating the Buddhist New Year and the beginning of the rainy season, 3 days before the beginning of the year (in April, therefore), it's the water festival. According to tradition, water is said to have purifying virtues and to repel bad luck. On that day, Thai people zealously spray each other with water cannons and other water pistols. Tourists are also sprayed, as well as temples and Buddha statues.
China's January 22, 2023, New Moon
The NongliXinnian (Lunar New Year) will take place on January 22, 2023, with celebrations between January 21 and February 5. The new year will be under the sign of the water rabbit and will last until February 9, 2024. Among the traditions surrounding the celebrations are 7 traditional dishes: fish, Chinese ravioli, spring rolls, glutinous rice cakes, sweet rice balls, longevity noodles, and lucky fruits (orange, mandarin oranges, grapefruit, amongst others). The particularity of all these foods is that their pronunciation is synonymous with luck, happiness, and abundance. For example, the word "fish" (yú) sounds like the word "abundance". In the Chinese tradition, eating these foods would mean good luck for the whole year.
Article translated from Tour du monde traditions atypiques pour le Nouvel An
