Unusual New Year Celebrations

When we turn on the TV for the New Year countdown, we are greeted with spectacular fireworks displays from every capital around the world as each nation welcomes the New Year. Fireworks, along with the Scottish Hogmanay celebration and the traditional singing of “Auld Lang Syne” (a poem by Robert Burns), are among the most well-known New Year’s traditions. However, the New Year is celebrated in many weird and wonderful ways across the globe. Here are some of the most notable ones.

1. New Year Scarecrow Burning In Ecuador

In Ecuador, a unique New Year’s Eve tradition involves citizens setting fire to scarecrows stuffed with paper at midnight. People often burn old photographs that symbolise unpleasant memories as part of this custom. Rooted in longstanding beliefs, this practice is thought to cleanse bad luck and misfortune from the past year, offering a fresh start for the year ahead. It’s a pity that such a fire-based ritual hasn’t caught on in colder places like the UK, where the warmth of the flames would be a welcome addition to the typically chilly New Year’s celebrations! Perhaps we are just happy with Bonfire night in November!

2. Smashing Plates—Don’t Try This At Home Unless You’re In Denmark

While plate smashing is often associated with Greek celebrations, it’s also a popular tradition in Denmark. On New Year’s Eve, Danes gather unused plates they’ve saved throughout the year and hurl them at the front doors of friends and family to bring good luck. According to tradition, the more broken plates you find outside your door, the more fortune you’ll enjoy in the coming year. If you’re considering trying this in the UK as a novel New Year’s Eve celebration, be sure to check with your neighbours first; they might not appreciate the mess or share your enthusiasm for this Danish tradition!

3. The Sound Of 108 Bells In Japan. The Precision!

I admire the precision of this celebration. In Japan, New Year’s Eve is marked by the ringing of precisely 108 bells, a Buddhist tradition intended to cleanse human sins and welcome good fortune. The sound of these bells echoes through the streets as the year comes to an end. Many believe that starting the New Year with a smile or laughter also brings good luck for the year ahead.

4. Toss The Cushions, Not The Caber, In Italy

In Italy, it’s common to toss old furniture, thankfully mostly soft items, out of windows to mark a fresh start for the New Year. Cushions, blankets, and any household items that no longer bring joy are thrown outside, symbolising the clearing away of the old to make room for the new. This tradition can be viewed as an annual decluttering exercise, but with a more poetic twist! A similar practice occurs in South Africa, where the emphasis is on letting go of the past to welcome new opportunities.

5. Wearing White On The Night In Brazil

In Brazil, a popular New Year’s Eve tradition is to wear white clothing, symbolising peace, purity, and the hope for a fresh, harmonious start to the year. This custom, influenced by Afro-Brazilian religions such as Candomblé and Umbanda, is widely practiced to honor the deity Yemanjá, the goddess of water and creation. Many Brazilians, especially those celebrating on the beaches, embrace this tradition as an integral part of their New Year’s festivities.