Fascinating New Year Rituals across the World
You aren’t the only one who tries to stick to resolutions year-after-year. History has it that the ritual of making resolutions actually began thousands of years ago in Babylonia. The naive Babylonians made promises for gaining respect and tried to stick to it too, this way they felt they could earn favour from the Gods. It was Emperor Julius Caesar who is said to have coined January 1 as the New Year’s Day. The month of January is named after Janus, the Roman God of beginnings. Interesting, isn’t it!
POLAND
New Year’s Eve is called ‘St. Sylvester’s Eve’ with the Polish. Their legend has it that fears of people were put to rest as the dragon captured by Pope Sylvester was not able to escape. The dragon did not eat everyone on the planet. It also did not set fire to the skies (what a relief). So, the world did not really end on the New Year’s Eve. Happy locals celebrate the festive day by remembering and honouring St Sylvester.
ESTONIA
It’s all about luck in Estonia and lucky numbers mean so much. So, the Estonians eat 7, 9 or 12 times on New Year’s Eve as these are lucky numbers. They also believe in sharing, so elders tell others to not eat just everything. People are encouraged to leave some food for their departed ancestors who are welcomed to visit the homes of their family members on New Year’s Eve.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
If you like to watch fireworks and concerts, then head to Bosnia and add a dash of traditional rituals such as receiving gifts from Dyed Mraz (Father Frost) for the kids. Many music enthusiasts tend to move to Sarajevo to attend a famed annual rock concert in the Square.
RUSSIA
New Year’s resolutions for the Russians is much about education. The hardworking Russians try to pay off their past debts so that they could start the New Year by being debt-free and with a clear schedule. Visitors must know that they observe silence in the last 12 seconds of the old year. If you are wondering why is that done, then this is the time slot when Russians make secret wishes for the New Year. Join in!
CHINA
Trust the Chinese to do it all differently. the New Year is observed between January 21 and February 20. There’s no missing the fervour though as on the special first day of the year. Families excitedly decorate their front doors with a fresh coat of red paint (symbolising happiness and good luck). Interestingly, knives are tucked away for 24 hours so that no one would accidentally cut or bruise themselves as that would cut the family’s good luck in the next year.
UKRAINE
There’s a dash of American style of celebrations that you can expect in Ukraine. Just like Christmas in the US, Ukrainian families gather for a well-set table. They raise toasts and exchange gifts with loved ones. Must note that New Year’s is slated to be an early start to celebrating Orthodox Christmas on January 7. Most follow both.
KOREA
Family comes first for Koreans. The first day of the Lunar New Year is called Sol-nal and it’s a sight to behold. Outside the doors and walls of homes, people keep rakes and sieves in order to protect families inside from the (much believed) evil spirits. There’s much to be merry about with everyone wearing new clothes that’s made with five specific colours of red, white, blue, yellow and green. This symbolises a new start.
DENMARK
The ritual of banging plates on the doors is practiced by residents of Denmark. They greet the New Year by throwing old plates against the doors of their family and friends, This is done to banish bad spirits. If you get a chance to join them, then go ahead and stand on chairs and jump off together at midnight on to the floor to symbolising leaping into January brimming with hope and good luck.
FINLAND
In Finland, there’s a bit of guessing that takes place for New Year’s. The coming year is predicted by casting molten tin into a container of water. Whichever shape appears, that interprets the stroke of luck ahead. A heart or ring would mean an impending wedding. Something shaped like a boat would mean travel. And when the shape is that of a pig, there’s going to be plenty of food ahead for the person. Good fun, isn’t it!
ECUADOR
In Ecuador, local people celebrate the New Year’s by burning paper filled scarecrows right around midnight. Another ritual is that old photographs are burnt from the last year. All this is done in the name of good fortune.
SPAIN
In Spain, grapes are much in demand in December. Here’s why. It is customary to pop in 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve – one at each stroke of the clock. Each grape one would pop would represent good luck for the upcoming new month of the coming year. If you happen to travel to Madrid or Barcelona during NYE, then join the fun as people gather at the main squares to joyously pop in grapes together and pass around a bottle of Cava (wine).
SOUTH AMERICA
In some South American countries, wearing coloured underwear could well determine your fate for the upcoming New Year. Code Red underwear would get you love. Gold would fetch wealth while white would signify peace. Choose your colour wisely, we say!
SCOTLAND
During Scotland’s New Year’s Eve, make it a point to witness the ritual of Hogmanay or ‘first-footing’ that is practiced across the country. It is believed that the first person who would cross the threshold of a home in the New Year is bound to carry a gift for luck. Locals enjoy bonfires, where some may parade around carrying swinging giant fireballs on poles. This ritual symbolises the sun, that would purify the coming year.
Compiled by Nimisha Tiwari
TOI 27DEC18
People of different cultures follow amazing traditions to usher the New Year. Here’s what they do...
MAKE NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONSYou aren’t the only one who tries to stick to resolutions year-after-year. History has it that the ritual of making resolutions actually began thousands of years ago in Babylonia. The naive Babylonians made promises for gaining respect and tried to stick to it too, this way they felt they could earn favour from the Gods. It was Emperor Julius Caesar who is said to have coined January 1 as the New Year’s Day. The month of January is named after Janus, the Roman God of beginnings. Interesting, isn’t it!
POLAND
New Year’s Eve is called ‘St. Sylvester’s Eve’ with the Polish. Their legend has it that fears of people were put to rest as the dragon captured by Pope Sylvester was not able to escape. The dragon did not eat everyone on the planet. It also did not set fire to the skies (what a relief). So, the world did not really end on the New Year’s Eve. Happy locals celebrate the festive day by remembering and honouring St Sylvester.
ESTONIA
It’s all about luck in Estonia and lucky numbers mean so much. So, the Estonians eat 7, 9 or 12 times on New Year’s Eve as these are lucky numbers. They also believe in sharing, so elders tell others to not eat just everything. People are encouraged to leave some food for their departed ancestors who are welcomed to visit the homes of their family members on New Year’s Eve.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
If you like to watch fireworks and concerts, then head to Bosnia and add a dash of traditional rituals such as receiving gifts from Dyed Mraz (Father Frost) for the kids. Many music enthusiasts tend to move to Sarajevo to attend a famed annual rock concert in the Square.
RUSSIA
New Year’s resolutions for the Russians is much about education. The hardworking Russians try to pay off their past debts so that they could start the New Year by being debt-free and with a clear schedule. Visitors must know that they observe silence in the last 12 seconds of the old year. If you are wondering why is that done, then this is the time slot when Russians make secret wishes for the New Year. Join in!
CHINA
Trust the Chinese to do it all differently. the New Year is observed between January 21 and February 20. There’s no missing the fervour though as on the special first day of the year. Families excitedly decorate their front doors with a fresh coat of red paint (symbolising happiness and good luck). Interestingly, knives are tucked away for 24 hours so that no one would accidentally cut or bruise themselves as that would cut the family’s good luck in the next year.
UKRAINE
There’s a dash of American style of celebrations that you can expect in Ukraine. Just like Christmas in the US, Ukrainian families gather for a well-set table. They raise toasts and exchange gifts with loved ones. Must note that New Year’s is slated to be an early start to celebrating Orthodox Christmas on January 7. Most follow both.
KOREA
Family comes first for Koreans. The first day of the Lunar New Year is called Sol-nal and it’s a sight to behold. Outside the doors and walls of homes, people keep rakes and sieves in order to protect families inside from the (much believed) evil spirits. There’s much to be merry about with everyone wearing new clothes that’s made with five specific colours of red, white, blue, yellow and green. This symbolises a new start.
DENMARK
The ritual of banging plates on the doors is practiced by residents of Denmark. They greet the New Year by throwing old plates against the doors of their family and friends, This is done to banish bad spirits. If you get a chance to join them, then go ahead and stand on chairs and jump off together at midnight on to the floor to symbolising leaping into January brimming with hope and good luck.
FINLAND
In Finland, there’s a bit of guessing that takes place for New Year’s. The coming year is predicted by casting molten tin into a container of water. Whichever shape appears, that interprets the stroke of luck ahead. A heart or ring would mean an impending wedding. Something shaped like a boat would mean travel. And when the shape is that of a pig, there’s going to be plenty of food ahead for the person. Good fun, isn’t it!
ECUADOR
In Ecuador, local people celebrate the New Year’s by burning paper filled scarecrows right around midnight. Another ritual is that old photographs are burnt from the last year. All this is done in the name of good fortune.
SPAIN
In Spain, grapes are much in demand in December. Here’s why. It is customary to pop in 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve – one at each stroke of the clock. Each grape one would pop would represent good luck for the upcoming new month of the coming year. If you happen to travel to Madrid or Barcelona during NYE, then join the fun as people gather at the main squares to joyously pop in grapes together and pass around a bottle of Cava (wine).
SOUTH AMERICA
In some South American countries, wearing coloured underwear could well determine your fate for the upcoming New Year. Code Red underwear would get you love. Gold would fetch wealth while white would signify peace. Choose your colour wisely, we say!
SCOTLAND
During Scotland’s New Year’s Eve, make it a point to witness the ritual of Hogmanay or ‘first-footing’ that is practiced across the country. It is believed that the first person who would cross the threshold of a home in the New Year is bound to carry a gift for luck. Locals enjoy bonfires, where some may parade around carrying swinging giant fireballs on poles. This ritual symbolises the sun, that would purify the coming year.
Compiled by Nimisha Tiwari
TOI 27DEC18
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