The transition from one year to the next is a big deal in every civilization. It represents a new beginning in the life cycle, and for many people, a brand new opportunity to make amends and become a better person over the 365 days to come. This is why New Year’s eve is celebrated all around the world, no matter the religion, culture or social background you belong to. And when it comes to celebrating the New Year, every country has its own way to do it based on their tradition and history.
From broken old dishes to burning dolls filled with precious memories and good wishes, here are some strange ways people around the world say “Happy New Year!”
USA – Object Dropping
New Year’s eve, like many other widespread celebrations in the United States, is a major holiday where you can find a mixture of traditions according to the many different cultures and nationalities around the country. However, one of the most notorious American tradition during New Year’s Eve is the “drop” of different objects during the countdown of the last minute before New Year’s Day. This tradition was spread along other states after New York’s Time Square ball drop, which was first held in 1907. Objects being dropped vary from state to state and usually carry traditional elements from each state or represent important events that happened during the year.
Denmark – Friendship Dishes
One of the ways people in Denmark celebrate New Year’s Eve is keeping a pile of broken dishes in their front doors. They usually save old dishes to throw them on their friend’s doors on New Year’s eve as a symbol of friendship, and the more broken dishes you have at your doorstep, the more friends you have. Another curious Danish tradition is to step over a chair as midnight approaches and take a leap when the clock ticks 12 a.m. to symbolize the overcoming of potential challenges and difficulties in the year ahead.
China – Spring Festival
The Chinese New year, also known as Spring Festival, is celebrated between January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian Calendar. The Spring Festival is a 15-day celebration with different themes dedicated to various chinese deities and historical figures. Chinese New Year celebrations were born from its mythology. According to legend, the beast Nien (chinese for “year”) appeared by the end of each year, devouring children and destroying cities. This is portrayed in the last day of Spring Festival when big fireworks and monster figures are shooted into the night sky.
Ecuador – Efigie Burning
The distinctive Ecuadorian New Year tradition is the so called “Burn of the Old Year” in which every family gathers together to make a scarecrow-like doll stuffed with paper or hay representing a politician or famous celebrity or fictional character to burn it when the clock ticks 12 o’clock of New Year’s day. Families gather around the doll until it has been fully consumed, and younger people jump over the fire 12 times to have luck during the 12 new months to come. The doll represents the passing year’s problems and bad memories that have to burn to leave only the good things to remember.
