New Year Celebrations Around the World
In different corners of the world, New Year is celebrated with unique traditions that reflect each nation’s culture and history. Despite the global nature of the holiday, every country has distinct customs and festivities that express its people’s heritage and traditions. Here are a few interesting examples of how New Year is celebrated in various countries:
In Spain, people await midnight to eat 12 grapes, one with each chime of the clock. Each grape symbolizes a month of the year. Spaniards believe that every grape brings good luck for the year ahead.
Although China celebrates its New Year according to the lunar calendar, December 31st is also observed. According to Chinese traditions, people clean their homes on this night to rid themselves of the “bad” energy from the past year. Celebrations include decorations with red lanterns, symbols of good fortune.
In Finland, one of the New Year’s traditions is melting wax. The wax is melted and poured into cold water, and the shapes formed are used to predict the successes or challenges of the upcoming year.
In Russia, New Year is considered the most beloved holiday of the year. According to tradition, people write their dearest wishes on paper, burn it, mix the ashes with wine, and drink it before midnight. This way, they believe their dreams will come true.
In Armenia, New Year is a family holiday where people gather with loved ones and visit friends and relatives to exchange greetings and gifts. The festive table is rich with traditional dishes such as tolma and gata.