Unique New Year Traditions

Here are some unique and different new year traditions celebrated world over for you to check out:-

Burning “Mr. Old Year” (Colombia)

In some cities of Colombia, burning “Mr. Old Year” is a New Year’s tradition. They fabricate a big stuffed male doll that represents the old year. Then they stuff the doll with different materials. Then, on New Year’s Eve at midnight, they set the doll on fire. This symbolizes burning the past and getting ready to start a happy New Year without bad memories of the past.


Set that letter on fire (Venezuela)

In Venezuela, many people think this day brings good luck, so they write a letter asking for many wishes. Then, when the New Year comes, they put all those papers together and burn them to
make sure that nobody can read what they wrote!


Watching the sun rise (Korea)

Every New Year’s Eve in Korea, the bell is struck 33 times. This is in memory of 33 fighters who died for the restoration of Korea. On New Year’s Day a lot of people go to the sea to watch the sunrise. On seeing the sun rise, people make their new year wishes.

Jump seven waves and throw flowers in the sea! (Brazil)

In Brazil, most New Year’s Eve customs are related to good luck or fortune. For example, if they are in a beach city, after midnight, people go to the beach, jump seven waves and throw flowers in the sea while making a wish. This will bring them good luck and fortune. They say that the goddess who protects the sea will make their wishes come true!

Break those dishes! (Denmark)

In Denmark, it is a good sign to find your door heaped with a pile of broken dishes at New Years. Old dishes are saved year around to throw them at the homes where their friends live on New Year’s Eve. Many broken dishes were a symbol that you have many friends!

Drop some molten lead (Germany)

In Germany, people drop molten lead into cold water to tell the future from the shape it makes. A bit of food eaten on New Year’s Eve is left on their plate until after Midnight, as a way on ensuring a well stocked larder in the coming year.

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