Counting down from ten, kissing at midnight, watching the ball drop…these are all your typical New Year’s Eve traditions. We’ve all adopted these traditions as normal, and it almost feels strange to not do them. However, many of us ring in the New Year while fast asleep in our beds because we’re too old to stay up until midnight. This is also a very “American” thing to do these days. So, I was inspired to see how other parts of the world ring in the new year, and I was not disappointed. Some countries and cultures even ring in the new year in a spooky way, which always excites me. For some people, these traditions are going to seem pretty strange, and I’m here for all of it.
Here are eleven New Year’s traditions from around the world! For some people, these traditions are strange. For others, it’s normal. If you’re looking for a way to really shake off the bad energy that encompasses 2020, you might want to give a few of these traditions a try!
Romania – Animal Dances to Ward Off Evil Spirits
I had heard about this tradition while I was in Romania during the summer of 2004. Full disclosure: I was there for a mission trip and the tradition was disclosed to me like it was some evil Satanic ritual. I know better now. I actually had to do a little digging to find more information. This tradition is so fascinating! This isn’t the only tradition that Romanians do for New Year’s Eve, but it is certainly the most interesting. Romania has so much rich tradition that pre-dates Christianity. This tradition involves animal masks, bears, and dancing. People wear animal masks like goats, horses, and bears, and dance in their houses to ward off evil spirits, many going house to house. The “Dance of the Bear” is the most popular. These animal dances symbolize death, rebirth, and prosperity.
Germany – Lead Pouring
This is some witchy, fortune-telling business and I am here for it. In some parts of Germany, people participate in a practice called bleigiessen, also known as lead pouring. They will melt a dollop of lead, and then drop it in cold water. Whatever shape the lead forms, that is what may come your way in the new year. A heart obviously means love, a crown means wealth and prosperity, a ball or star means happiness. But if a cross forms, it means that you may experience death.
Ireland – Open Doors
A few days ago, I saw a meme floating around Facebook that said that according to Irish tradition, you open your door at midnight. Upon further investigating, there’s actually much more to this tradition. You have to open your front door and your back door! Just before midnight, you open your back door to let the “Olde year out.” Then, you open the front door to let the “new year in.” While doing this, you would also greet your neighbors (since they have their doors open too) and wish them a happy new year! I have a feeling people are going to open every door and cupboard in their house to show 2020 its way out.
Ecuador – Scarecrow Burning
I read this and immediately yelled, “YAS!” Basically, to banish anything bad like unfortunate events, bad luck, ill-fortunes, etc. Ecuadorians fill scarecrows with paper and light them on fire at midnight. But these scarecrows don’t just look like scarecrows. They can look like effigies of pop culture figures, politicians, and other icons of the year. You could say they are burning all of the bad stuff from the year and cleansing it so they can start the new year anew. For extra bonus points, you can jump through the flames 12 times. I also read that men will dress in drag as the widows of the burnt effigies and ask for small change. Something tells me Ecuador will have a LOT to light on fire for 2020.
Chile – Party with the Dead
In Chile, a small town called Talca celebrates the end of the year with the dead. Meaning, they have a cemetery sleepover. It’s customary to spend the night in a cemetery during the last night of the year. It is believed that the spirits of lost loved ones are waiting for their living relatives and ready to spend time with them.
Japan – 108 Rings
If you think the traditional New Year’s Eve countdown from ten is too much, imagine counting from 108! Before the stroke of midnight, Buddhist temples will ring their bells 107 times, and then ring once more when it’s midnight. This tradition is called joyanokane. It is believed that the ringing of these bells will cleanse us from the impurities and sins from the previous year. Why 108? According to Buddhist and Japanese traditions, there are 108 evil passions that all human beings possess. Japanese folks will also enjoy a dish of toshikoshi soba noodles that are said to bring good luck and wish for long life.
Cuba – Tossing Buckets of Water
If you’re looking for a way to get rid of all that negative energy from the year, then this next one might be the answer to your prayer. In Cuba, it is customary to throw out buckets of dirty water on New Year’s Eve. The dirty water represents bad omens and negativity, thus washing away bad energy. This is all for the sake of beginning the New Year with a fresh start.
Peru – Annual Fighting Festival
This tradition technically takes place on December 25th, but it is a tradition for the new year. Each December 25th, the Peruvian province of Chumbivilcas hosts a day of fist-fighting known as Takanakuy. There’s a sporting arena all set up for fistfights between children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly. Along with that, there’s music, food, drinking, celebrations, just like a holiday festival. The idea behind Takanakuy is to “put all grievances behind” before entering the New Year. This may have been used as a form of the justice system back in the day. Basically, it’s your chance to settle disputes or let out all your rage before the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. You can punch out your frustrations and start the new year with a clean slate.
Italy – Kissing Fest
In Venice, Italy, sharing a kiss with someone you love on New Year’s Eve in Piazza San Marco is tradition. In 2008, Venice hosted over 60,000 people in Piazza San Marco for the world’s largest “kiss in.” The event included concerts, fireworks, and even lessons on how to achieve the perfect kiss.
Scotland – First Footing
Scotland is very passionate about the New Year, also known as Hogmanay! The song we sing at the stroke of midnight, “Auld Lang Syne” comes from Scotland. The Scottish New Year’s tradition is believed to date back to the 8th or 9th century and brought about by none other than the Vikings. Before midnight on the night of the 31st, you had to have all of your ashes taken out, clean the house, and clear your debts before the bells toll midnight. Then there’s the tradition of “first foot” or “first footing”, meaning the first person to cross the threshold into your home after midnight. If it’s a dark-haired person with gifts like bread, coins, coal, etc. is good luck. Otherwise, a light-haired man was thought to be bad luck. I almost forgot to mention that Hogmanay also has fireball festivals to ring in the new year, which is pretty awesome.
Denmark – Breaking Plates
If you want to show your friend that you love them, smash all of your chipped plates on their front door. The more broken plates you have at your front door, the more good luck you’ll have for the upcoming year. You could say it’s like a big popularity contest with broken china.
Sources
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/new-years-effigies-ecuador
https://www.italymagazine.com/italy/life-style/venice-seals-romantic-reputation-new-years-mass-kiss
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/The-History-of-Hogmanay/
