The National reports that as the year comes to an end, communities across the world mark New Year’s Eve through customs shaped by culture and tradition.
Across regions, these celebrations focus on renewal and good fortune. While the rituals differ, they share a common aim of welcoming a positive start to the year ahead.
Food and Symbolic Meaning
In many cultures, food plays a key role in New Year traditions. In Estonia, people eat several meals on New Year’s Day. Each meal is believed to bring strength and abundance.
Similarly, families in the Philippines prepare 12 round fruits at midnight. Each fruit represents one month of the year and symbolises prosperity.
Rituals Linked to Luck
Elsewhere, traditions centre on symbolic actions. In Turkey, families smash a pomegranate at their doorstep on New Year’s Eve. The scattered seeds represent hopes for wealth and good fortune.
Meanwhile, in Argentina, many people take their first step of the year with the right foot. This gesture reflects the wish for a positive beginning.
In contrast, Cuban households focus on cleansing. Before midnight, families clean their homes. At the turn of the year, they throw water outside to remove bad energy from the past year.
Objects That Represent Renewal
In Greece, families hang onions at their doors after New Year’s Day services. The onion symbolises rebirth and growth.
Meanwhile, in Wales, older traditions included Calennig. During this custom, children carried decorated fruit to mark the start of the year and attract good luck.
Sound, Reflection, and Prediction
In Japan, Buddhist temples ring bells 108 times at midnight. The ritual marks the release of earthly desires and supports spiritual reflection.
In other regions, people welcome the New Year with noise. By banging pots and pans at midnight, communities aim to drive away negative spirits.
Elsewhere, families in the Czech Republic cut apples before midnight. The shape of the core is believed to indicate what the coming year may bring.
Together, these customs show how cultures around the world use ritual and symbolism to mark the transition into a new year.
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Source: The National
