Another year gone by, and an immensely memorable one at that! Be it India’s massive win at the T20 world cup or the Lok Sabha Election results, or even the fact that over 60 other national elections have taken place this year, 2024 has been a rollercoaster of global and national events. Climate change has intensified, as have the wars in Ukraine and West Asia.
Despite everything, the human tendency to look at the future with hope persists. And this tendency has been preserved in the form of new year traditions. Divided by geographies and culture, their expression varies. But they all signify only one thing – hope for a better and prosperous future.
While the most popular New Year’s traditions are the fireworks displays all along some of the important monuments in the world, or the ball dropping in Times Square, there are several lesser known traditions that usher in the anticipation of a new beginning.
Here are some of the lesser-known New Year’s traditions from around the world:
Carrying Empty Suitcases (Colombia & Mexico)
A tradition that originated in Colombia and is followed even in Mexico is that of carrying empty suitcases on New Year’s Eve. People walk around their block with empty suitcases on New Year’s Eve to attract travel and adventure in the coming year.[1][7]
Burning Effigies (Panama)
Called “muñecos”, these effigies are burned at midnight to drive away evil spirits and symbolize a fresh start.4
Throwing Old Appliances (South Africa)
In Johannesburg, it is customary to throw old appliances out of windows to symbolize getting rid of the old, and welcoming the new.4
Hanging Onions (Greece)
Greeks hang an onion on their front door as a symbol of rebirth, tapping their children on the head with it on New Year’s Day to wake them up. Bonk!6
Eating Seven Times (Estonia)
Estonians believe that eating seven, nine, or twelve meals on New Year’s Day will ensure abundance in food for the coming year.3
Dressing in Polka Dots (Philippines)
In the Philippines, wearing polka dots is believed to bring prosperity due to their resemblance to coins.4
Jumping Waves (Brazil)
Brazilians celebrate by jumping over seven waves at the beach after midnight, making wishes for each wave as a tribute to Yemanja, the goddess of water.2
Smashing Plates (Denmark)
Denmark is often associated with cozy concepts like hygge, but the celebration of New Year’s is a lively departure from the norm, filled with festive acts of breaking plates and jumping for joy to start the year with positivity and luck. One of the customs involves throwing old plates and glasses against the doors of family and friends, symbolizing the removal of negative energy. Also, as midnight strikes, Danes jump off chairs or sofas, a symbolic jump into the new year that is believed to bring good fortune.4
Writing Wishes and Burning Them (Russia)
Russians write wishes on paper, burn them, and mix the ashes into champagne before drinking it at midnight for good luck.5
Dropping Ice Cream (Switzerland)
In Switzerland, dropping an ice cream cone on New Year’s Eve is considered a sign of abundance for the upcoming year. Quirky, isn’t it?3
Baking a Coin into Cake (Greece)
Greeks bake a cake called “Vasilopita”, hiding a coin inside; finding it is said to bring good luck for the year.1
Making Noise with Pots and Pans (Ireland)
In Ireland, people bang pots and pans together at midnight to scare away evil spirits and welcome good luck.3
Cleaning Homes (Japan)
Japanese families engage in “osouji”, a thorough cleaning of their homes before New Year’s Day to welcome Toshigami, the god of the new year.3
Wearing Coloured Underwear (Italy, Spain and Mexico)
A quirky tradition on both sides of the Atlantic is that of wearing coloured underwear on New Year’s Eve—red for love, yellow for wealth—to attract specific blessings in the new year. Wait. That is actually quite an interesting and funny way to fetch the blessings of the supreme being![2][3][8]
Eating Lentils (Italy)
Italians eat lentils at midnight as they symbolize wealth and prosperity due to their coin-like shape.3
First-Footing (Scotland)
In Scotland, “first-footing” involves being visited by a dark-haired person who brings gifts for good luck in the new year.5
Lighting Fireworks (Australia)
Australians celebrate with spectacular fireworks displays that symbolize driving away evil spirits while celebrating life and joy. And this isn’t just the spectacular fireworks display at the Opera House in Sydney, it’s everywhere!5
Offering Bread to Neighbours (Russia)
In some Russian traditions, families offer bread and salt to their neighbours as a gesture of goodwill and hospitality for the new year.3
Wishing Trees (Japan)
In Japan, people write wishes on small pieces of paper and hang them on trees during New Year celebrations as part of Shinto practices.5
Eating Fish for Prosperity (China)
Chinese families often serve fish during New Year’s meals as it symbolizes surplus and prosperity for the coming year.5
Drawing Symbols on Doors (Spain)
Some Spanish families draw symbols like crosses or circles on their doors using chalk or paint as protective charms against misfortune in the new year.3
Exchanging Gifts of Tamales (Mexico)
Families gather to make tamales (a type of steamed dumpling) on New Year’s Eve and exchange them among loved ones as a symbol of community and sharing blessings for the new year.2
Casting Molten Tin (Finland)
Finns predict their fortunes for the coming year by casting molten tin into water and interpreting the shapes formed. Different shapes symbolize various outcomes such as weddings or travel.9
Throwing Water Out (Cuba)
Cubans toss buckets of dirty water out their front doors at midnight to symbolically discard negative energy from the past year. This tradition can lead to quite a spectacle on New Year’s Eve.10
We hope you liked these interesting traditions! Do let us know of any other traditions you might know of other communities or countries to welcome the new year!
Here’s wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2025!
Sources: [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10]