A New Year, a new way to celebrate?
What New Year’s traditions do you take part in?
People across the world celebrate the New Year in many diverse ways as the clock strikes midnight on December 31. Countdowns and fireworks might appear universal, but each country has its own unique traditions, whether that’s smashing plates or eating grapes under the table.
Here’s a few traditions and the countries they originate from :
1 . Spain
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We start in Spain with one of the most famous traditions being eating 12 grapes under a table one for each chime, rewarding the person with good luck for the upcoming. Although in recent years this has been adapted after this trended on TikTok to each 12 grapes under the table. Some other Spanish traditions include wearing red underwear for love. Aswell as starting the year on the right foot, quite literally.
The tradition surfaced in the late 19th-century Madrid where the wealthy copied French champagne and grape parties, which working-class Madrileños mocked by eating grapes at midnight in protest. It became a nationwide craze after a huge 1909 grape surplus led Alicante growers to market them as “lucky grapes” for good fortune in the coming year, cementing the practice across Spain and beyond.
2. Denmark
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Flying a little further away we reach Demark in northern Europe. The Danish tradition for the last day of the year consists of leaping into the new year. They stand upon chairs and leap off them as soon as the 12th bell chimes for midnight. It is said that those who don’t leap receive bad luck for the rest of the fore coming year. Additionally, before leaping into the new year, you may as well make a smashing start to the year. The Danish believe that smashing plates on a doorstep also offers good luck.
3. China
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Thirdly China for the traditions here we don’t only prepare for the new year on the 31st but prior to the big day. The countdown starts by sweeping and cleansing the home of bad luck by a spring clean. Additionally, to the house decorating commences with red lanterns their colour of good luck and fortune.
Then for the big day family is key with reunion dinners including symbolic dishes such as dumplings for wealth and fish for abundance. Additionally, the symbolism of loud noises to scare away evil spirits usually performed by fireworks. And lastly continuing on the red theme it is very important to wear red on this day symbolising happiness, warding off evil and prosperity. And red envelops are opened by children filled with money for good luck.
4. Jamaica
Lastly to conclude my favourite new year’s traditions across the world we come to Jamaica. ‘Out with the old and in with the new’ a commonly known saying for New year’s emphasised by cleaning out their homes, cleaning as well as bathing in the early morning of the 31st to wash away the bad luck and vibes. Reflecting upon Jamaica’s wide Christian heritage many church services are held across the island. Aswell as dinners with family and friends were eating specific foods also come with symbolic references such as fish, symbolising progress due to the way it swims forward, Aswell as rice and peas representing prosperity. Some avoid chicken, believing it scratches backward and could bring setbacks.
Hopefully you have enjoyed reading about different cultures and their traditions and found some new ones to do this New Year’s Eve !
Written by Izzi Palmer
Cover Image by Billy Huynh on Unsplash
