0
0
For most people, the last day of the year is synonymous with fireworks, firecrackers, and popping champagne bottles—the louder, the better. In addition to driving away evil forces, New Year’s Eve is primarily about starting the coming twelve months with as much good fortune as possible, letting go of the old and making room for the positive. The following customs are practiced by cultures around the globe…
Czech prophecy with an apple
What events will the coming year bring? People in Czechia answer this question with the help of an apple. At midnight, the fruit is cut in half, revealing the answer inside: if the core is star-shaped, a happy year lies ahead. If, on the other hand, a cross appears in the apple oracle, this indicates misfortune in the next twelve months.
Spain’s lucky grapes at midnight
In Spain, twelve grapes are part of the New Year’s Eve ritual. At midnight, the Spanish eat one grape for each stroke of the clock. You have to be quick, because the bell strikes rapidly. Those who finish in time before the bells stop ringing will have good luck in the coming year. However, caution is advised: if you choke, it is a bad omen. The number is by no means a coincidence: each individual grape symbolizes a month of the year.
In the Philippines, fortune is round as a ball
Filipinos also eat twelve fruits at the turn of the year – but not exclusively grapes. A complete fruit basket is said to guarantee good luck for the coming months. In addition to grapes, it also contains apples, plums, and melons. The only important thing is that the fruits are as round as coins, as this symbolizes luck and wealth.
Colorful lucky charms in your underwear
In Italy, people wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve. Southern Europeans hope this will bring them plenty of good fortune for the coming year. In Peru, on the other hand, yellow is preferred for greater wealth. In Brazil, not only white but also brand-new underwear ensures a flawless start to the new year.
Danes throw crockery in front of their front doors
Broken crockery brings good luck: following this principle, Danes keep their discarded crockery until December 31. Then they lovingly throw it in front of the front doors of friends and family members. In this way, they wish their loved ones good luck for the coming year.
First visit to the shrine in Japan
In Japan, in some places people wait in vain for popping champagne bottles and fireworks at the turn of the year. Instead, the Japanese make a pilgrimage to the Shinto shrine and pray there. Whether this happens before or after midnight is not important. However, long queues often form at important shrines.
Paper rain in Argentina
In Argentina, it rains paper at noon on New Year’s Eve. Documents, bills, and other papers that are no longer needed are shredded and thrown out of the window. In this way, Argentinians free themselves from their burdens for the coming year.
Ecuador burns giant dolls
In Ecuador, the so-called “monigotes” (“jumping jacks”) are burned at midnight. The giant dolls made from old clothes can be modeled after unpopular politicians or simply have witch faces. Burning them creates space for good things in the coming year.
Brazil: Gifts for the sea goddess
In Brazil, it is traditional to commemorate the sea goddess Yemanjá on New Year’s Eve. As the patron saint of sailors is considered vain, perfume, mirrors, soaps and similar items are placed on small boats and set afloat. People also throw white roses into the sea. Those who celebrate Réveillon on the beach can also jump over seven rolling waves and make a wish.
- source: HOME – spot on news/picture: pixabay.com
This post has already been read 123 times!
