New Year is a significant event around the world. Generally, countries are making countdowns as the calendar changes. People even make their New Year resolutions— like in the song lyrics “bagong taon ay magbagong buhay.“
Filipinos are preparing and celebrating New Year’s eve. Several Pinoys follow numerous traditions and beliefs every New Year, such as the Media Noche, preparing round fruits, making noise to cast away bad luck, wearing polka dot outfits, and jumping as the year changes.
Like the enthusiasm and practices of Filipinos in celebrating the New Year, many countries have odd and interesting traditions as they anticipate and celebrate the New Year.
Ecuadorian burning tradition
People in Ecuador often burn scarecrows and photos from previous years to leave what they believe is bad luck, so that good luck will come their way in the coming year.
The luck in Denmark’s plates
In Denmark, people shatter unused plates with their family and neighbors so that a fruitful year will come in exchange.
Furthermore, if Filipinos jump on New Year, people in Denmark step up in the chair for the whole year’s luck.
South America’s color prediction
People celebrating New Year in South America have an odd way of telling their luck for the year. Their luck will be judged based on the color of their underwear— gold underwear will bring wealth, red can bring romantic luck, and white can bring peace to one’s life.
Chubby Bunny: Spanish version
If you are familiar with the Chubby Bunny game, then in the Spanish New Year version. Instead of chewing multiple marshmallows, they need to store 12 pieces of grapes in their mouth at exactly 12:00 AM, New Year. They believe that eating all 12 grapes can bring them luck.
Romania’s wishing river
Filipinos throw a coin on a well in making a wish, but in Romania, people throw their coins in the river to have their desired luck for the year.
Bolivia’s money cake
Money cake has become a trend in the Philippines but in Bolivia, they also put money on the cake. In their tradition, they are putting a coin in the cake that they bake for New Year. Whoever eats the slice of the cake with a coin in it will be lucky for the year.
Ireland: Striking bread, striking luck
People in Ireland do not throw bread unlike in the usual saying, but they strike the bread. Striking bread on the wall means they are casting away bad spirits, and welcoming the good ones for the year to come.
The lucky 7 meal in Estonia
People in Estonia do their New Year feast by eating 7 times a day on New Year’s Day to bring luck for the whole year.
Colombian travelers
Every New Year’s Day in Colombia, you might see several people carrying their luggage the whole day to manifest having numerous trips for the year.
Peru’s boxing matches
Peru’s New Year tradition involves violence because people in Peru make several punches against each other. It is their way of entering the year with no crumbs of anger.
Even though countries have their different odd and interesting New Year traditions to tell, the common goal of each belief is to manifest a happy and lucky New Year.
Photo credits from Travel Earth.
