New Year Traditions
December 23, 2022 2022-12-23 13:52New Year Traditions
Celebrations of the new era
New Year’s is celebrated every year in many different ways. All around the world, the start of a new year is celebrated but with many diverse cultures and backgrounds, not everyone will enjoy it the same.
Beginning with a tradition in America, most Americans watch the Times Square ball drop to celebrate the start of a new year and countdown to midnight on December 31st. People may also make new year’s resolutions, watch or set fireworks, and kiss at midnight, all for good luck.
Far from America, over in east Asia, Japanese people eat soba noodles as their tradition. Because the long thin noodles are firm yet easy to bite, it is believed that eating them symbolizes longevity. In Japan, the Buddhist temple rings its bell 108 times, leading up to midnight. Each ring is supposed to let go of negative feelings like anger, sadness, misery, etc. to allow people to start the new year with a positive emotional outlook on life.
In Spanish countries, it is very common to eat 12 grapes before midnight with each grape being every hour before midnight. In some places, it’s also seen as a way to ward off witches and evil. Also, some people like to burn everything from the previous year and start the next one off clean.
The Philippines’ new year traditions are alike to Spain’s, however, its 12 fruits instead of 12 grapes and, they have a different fruit for every chime of the bell. Some common fruits that they use are apples, grapes, and plums. They also like to wear polka dots or other circular patterns which, are believed to bring good luck.
In Scotland, people celebrate Hogmanay (the word for the last day of the year) with the practice of first footing. This involves being the first person to cross a friend or neighbor’s house and giving them a symbolic gift. The gift can include a coin for prosperity, bread, salt for flavor, coal, or a drink.
Every year, people from all around the world celebrate New Year’s Day. However, with people from different backgrounds and cultures, not all celebrations look the same. Despite the variations all traditions are meant to bring good luck and positive energy into the new year.
