World Traditions

Discover how cultures around the world celebrate the arrival of a new year

🇪🇸

Spain

Europe

12 Grapes at Midnight

Spaniards eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for each bell chime.

•Each grape represents good luck for one month of the coming year
•The tradition dates back to 1909
•People gather at Puerta del Sol in Madrid to participate
•Must eat all 12 grapes before the last bell chime ends

Symbolism

Prosperity and good fortune for each month ahead

🇯🇵

Japan

Asia

Joya no Kane - 108 Bell Rings

Buddhist temples ring bells 108 times to cleanse sins and welcome the new year.

•The 108 rings represent the 108 earthly desires in Buddhist belief
•Bells start ringing just before midnight and finish after midnight
•Families eat toshikoshi soba (year-crossing noodles) for longevity
•First shrine visit of the year is called Hatsumode

Symbolism

Purification from worldly desires and sins

🇧🇷

Brazil

Americas

White Clothes & Ocean Offerings

Brazilians wear white clothes and jump over seven waves while making wishes.

•White symbolizes peace and good luck
•Flowers and small boats are offered to Yemanjá, goddess of the sea
•Each wave jumped represents one wish for the new year
•Copacabana Beach in Rio hosts one of the world's largest celebrations

Symbolism

Renewal, peace, and blessings from the ocean deity

🇩🇰

Denmark

Europe

Smashing Plates

Danes throw old plates and glasses at friends' doors as a sign of affection.

•More broken dishes at your door = more friends and good luck
•People save old or chipped plates throughout the year
•Also involves jumping off chairs at midnight to 'leap' into the new year
•The tradition symbolizes letting go of the past

Symbolism

Friendship, leaving behind the old, and welcoming the new

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Scotland

Europe

Hogmanay - First-Footing

The first person to enter a home after midnight brings gifts and good fortune.

•Traditionally, a tall, dark-haired man is considered the luckiest first-footer
•Gifts include coal (warmth), shortbread (food), and whisky (good cheer)
•Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a multi-day celebration
•Fire festivals and torchlight processions are common

Symbolism

Hospitality, warmth, and prosperity for the household

🇨🇱

Chile

Americas

El Galeón Español by Tommy Rey

Every New Year's Eve, Chileans play Tommy Rey's iconic song to celebrate.

•The song has been a tradition since 1984
•It's played on radio and TV across the country at midnight
•Tommy Rey's music represents Chilean identity and unity
•Valparaíso hosts spectacular fireworks viewed from the hills

Symbolism

National identity, unity, and cultural pride

🇵🇭

Philippines

Asia

Round Shapes & Loud Noises

Filipinos display round fruits and make loud noises to drive away evil spirits.

•12 round fruits represent prosperity for 12 months
•Coins are carried in pockets and shaken for wealth
•Fireworks and horns create noise to scare away bad luck
•Wearing polka dots is considered lucky

Symbolism

Prosperity, abundance, and protection from evil

🇬🇷

Greece

Europe

Smashing Pomegranates

Greeks smash pomegranates on their doorsteps for good luck and abundance.

•The more seeds that scatter, the more luck for the year
•Pomegranates symbolize fertility, prosperity, and good fortune
•Vasilopita (St. Basil's cake) contains a hidden coin
•Whoever finds the coin will have extra luck

Symbolism

Abundance, fertility, and prosperity

🇿🇦

South Africa

Africa

Furniture Out the Window

In Johannesburg, people throw old furniture out of windows to symbolize new beginnings.

•Represents throwing out the old to make room for the new
•Mainly practiced in certain neighborhoods of Johannesburg
•Fireworks and street parties are common
•Cape Town celebrates with concerts and harbor fireworks

Symbolism

Renewal, fresh starts, and letting go of the past

🇨🇴

Colombia

Americas

Running with Empty Suitcases

Colombians run around the block with empty suitcases to ensure travel in the new year.

•The faster you run, the more places you'll visit
•Yellow underwear is worn for good luck and happiness
•Burning 'Año Viejo' puppets represents burning away the old year
•Lentils are eaten for prosperity and abundance

Symbolism

Adventure, travel, and new experiences

🇮🇹

Italy

Europe

Red Underwear & Lentils

Italians wear red underwear for love and eat lentils for wealth.

•Red (rosso) underwear must be new and gifted by someone
•Lentils resemble coins and symbolize money
•Throwing old items out the window to symbolize renewal
•Midnight kiss under mistletoe for lasting love

Symbolism

Love, passion, and financial prosperity

🇷🇺

Russia

Europe

Write a Wish, Burn It, Drink the Ashes

Russians write wishes on paper, burn them, mix the ashes with champagne, and drink it.

•Must complete the ritual before the clock finishes striking 12
•Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and Snegurochka bring gifts
•Celebration continues for days with festive meals
•Olivier salad is a traditional New Year's dish

Symbolism

Making wishes come true through commitment and belief

🇲🇽

Mexico

Americas

Colored Underwear for Different Wishes

Mexicans choose underwear color based on their wishes: red for love, yellow for money, white for peace.

•Red brings passion and romance
•Yellow attracts money and success
•White ensures peace and harmony
•Green promotes health and well-being

Symbolism

Manifesting specific desires through symbolic colors

🇪🇪

Estonia

Europe

Eating Seven Times

Estonians eat seven, nine, or twelve times on New Year's Eve for strength and abundance.

•The numbers 7, 9, and 12 are considered lucky
•More meals = more strength for the coming year
•Traditional foods include sauerkraut and pork
•Lead melting is used to predict the future

Symbolism

Strength, abundance, and prosperity

🇹🇷

Turkey

Europe

Sprinkling Salt on Doorsteps

Turks sprinkle salt on doorsteps for peace, health, and abundance.

•Salt is sprinkled right after midnight
•Pomegranates are smashed or hung as decorations
•Red is the traditional color for New Year
•Nazar (evil eye) amulets are gifted for protection

Symbolism

Protection, purification, and abundance

🇦🇷

Argentina

Americas

Burning Puppets & Pink Underwear

Argentinians burn puppets representing the old year and wear pink underwear for love.

•Puppets (muñecos) represent negative aspects of the past year
•Pink underwear attracts love and romance
•Eating lentejas (lentils) at midnight brings prosperity
•Toasting with champagne and sidra (cider) is traditional

Symbolism

Letting go of negativity, love, and abundance

Despite our different traditions, we all share the universal hope for a brighter tomorrow