Unique New Year Celebration Traditions in Seven Diverse Nations
Ringing in New Year with excitement is quite common in most countries of the world. While you probably do have a New Year celebration tradition of your own, here are some unique ways popular in seven different nations of the world.
Scotland
Right at the start of New Year in Scottish homes anyone who crosses a certain threshold with in a home is believed to carry good luck for the entire family. Bonfire is another tradition in Scotland where people swing big fireballs on colorful poles and sing joyous songs.
Spain
The custom to eat one fresh grape at each clock stroke just when the New Year rings in is another highly famous New Year tradition from Spain. Twelve grapes are eaten which are thought to bring luck for each month of the New Year.
Finland
Finnish like to play a prediction game at the start of the New Year by casting a raw molten tin into a tub filled with water. If the molten tin takes the shape of a ship, it is expected that the person will travel and if it turns into an object resembling a ring, this means the person will get married in the New Year.
Colombia
The travel loving nature of Colombians can be witnessed through a quite different New Year welcoming tradition there. On New Year eve people roam around in streets carrying empty suitcases, hoping that it will mean lots of travel the New Year.
Greece
An old New Year tradition in Greece is to hang an onion on the front entrance of home. It is taken as a symbol of re-birth. Parents wake their kids by tapping on their head with an onion on New Year’s Day.
Panama
An unusual New Year celebration happens in the form of burning effigies or images of well-known celebrities like politicians and actors in Panama. The images are portrayed to depict the old year.
Philippines
Finding round-shaped things decorated in shops and homes is common at New Year in Philippines. The people in this island nation believe these circular objects represent coins or money thus prosperity in the New Year.