Yuan means "beginning" and "start", and New Year's Day is the first day of the new year in the Gregorian calendar. Celebrating the New Year and celebrating New Year's Day can be said to be "a hundred miles of different winds and a thousand miles of different customs".
Since countries around the world are in different longitudinal positions, the time of the year differs from country to country, so the date of "New Year's Day" also differs.
In China, since New Year's Day was only born in the Republic of China, it is far less important in our minds than the Spring Festival, so the customs for celebrating New Year's Day are relatively simple. Usually a slogan of "Celebrate New Year's Day" is posted and the whole family goes out for a big meal, and that's the celebration.
But in other countries, it's a big deal. The customs of New Year's Day also have their own characteristics, I have found some countries to celebrate New Year's Day strange customs, together with open eyes!
A new year, a new beginning, no matter what, it is worth looking forward to!
NO.01
USA: Times Square Ball Drop Ceremony
Every year, millions of people gather in Times Square on New Year's Eve to watch the heart-stopping ball drop in a lively crowd.
At the last minute before midnight, along with people's joyful countdown shouts, a huge crystal ball will fall from the 43-meter-high mast, followed by 1 ton of confetti sprinkled all over Times Square, and people have kissed to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
Since 1907, when Adolph Ochs, owner of The New York Times, first held the ball drop ceremony, it has since become an annual spectacle and is considered the most popular New Year's Eve celebration.
NO.02
Brazil: hiking to find happiness and pullingeach other'sears
For Brazil in the southern hemisphere, the New Year is in the middle of summer, signifying a new beginning. On New Year's Eve, each state puts on a spectacular fireworks display.
After the ringing of the New Year's bell, Brazilians flock to the mountain, holding torches high, as they scramble to find the golden birch fruit, a symbol of happiness, an event known as the "search for happiness". It is said that only those who defy the odds will be able to find this rare fruit. In rural areas, there is also a unique custom of pulling each other's ears during New Year's Day, when people meet on New Year's Day, they pull each other's ears to express their blessings.
NO.03
France: watch the light show and drink champagne
Parisians celebrate the New Year in a fashionable way. At midnight, the Eiffel Tower puts on a spectacular light show and a magnificent fireworks display, while people kiss each other on the cheek and send New Year's greetings.
The French have a superstition that if there is leftover wine in the house in the New Year, it will bring bad luck in the coming year. Only when the bottle of wine at home is clean, can we usher in a year of good days. Therefore, New Year's Eve, the French family reunion, drinking around the table, drinking all the wine at home, in order to have a good year; the French also believe that the New Year's Eve, all people should get drunk, so that the new year will have a new start.
It is also traditional to enjoy champagne and to eat "king cakes" with sweet almonds, cream and eggs in puff pastry, which are said to bring good luck in the New Year.
NO.04
Spain: Eat 12 grapes
In Spain, on New Year's Eve, all family members gather together to celebrate with music and games. When midnight comes and the clock starts ringing at 12 o'clock, everyone competes to eat the grapes. If you can eat 12 grapes according to the bell, it symbolizes that everything will go well in each month of the New Year.
The tradition of eating 12 grapes before the clock strikes midnight began in the 19th century. It is said that in 1909, when the grape harvest was so bountiful, merchants came up with a promotional idea: one person eating 12 grapes would bring good luck for the New Year.
Why 12 grapes? It means one a month. People believed that doing so would increase the chances of prosperity in the New Year, and later even the king swallowed grapes for good luck, which gradually became a tradition.
NO.05
Japan: Hanginggate-pineand eat soba noodles
Japanese New Year customs are similar to those of China in many ways, such as cleaning at the end of the year and hanging New Year ornaments to welcome the New Year.
Pine trees are considered to be auspicious trees in Japan, so the "gate-pine" is also placed in front of the house as a New Year's ornament, one for the male and one for the female, to avoid bad luck.
A New Year's Eve custom that has been passed down in Japan since the Edo period is also the eating of soba noodles. The long, thin noodles represent a long and healthy life, and when bitten off, it means a break with the past. In addition, green onions must be put on the noodles because the Japanese pronunciation of green onions is the same as "pray for good fortune".
NO.06
Denmark: Jumping on tables and dropping plates
New Year's Eve in Denmark is truly a 'jump-in' New Year. When the clock strikes 0:00, everyone jumps off their chairs or tables and jumps straight into the wonderful New Year, and then lights fireworks to celebrate.
The Danes believe that 'jumping into the New Year' helps to overcome challenges and difficulties. Because there are highs and lows in time, going down at the beginning of the New Year means hitting the bottom and it's time for luck to go up for the rest of the year.
On New Year's Eve, the Danes collect the broken cups and plates and send them to their friends' doorsteps secretly in the dead of night. On the morning of New Year's Day, if the more pieces are piled up in front of the house, it means that the more friends the house has, the luckier the New Year must be.
NO.07
Canada: Building a snow wall Polar bear jumping
Canadians regard snow as a symbol of good luck. Therefore, when the New Year comes, snow is piled around houses, high walls of snow are built and snowmen are made, which are believed to keep away demons.
On New Year's Day, people also gather at the beach and jump into the water for a group winter swim, called "polar bear jump". It is said that they can keep themselves away from evil and negative energy, I must say it is too strong.
In addition, the cold weather doesn't stop Canadians from starting the new year with a favorite sport -- ice fishing. They even bring cooking equipment so they can enjoy a feast on the spot.
NO.08
Philippines: round fruits and polka dot clothes
On New Year's Eve, Filipino families make sure to prepare 12 round fruits such as apples, grapes and plums, each representing a month. The shape of the fruits resembles a coin, signifying prosperity for the coming year.
In addition, polka dot costumes can be found everywhere in the Philippines on New Year's Day. Because the circle symbolizes prosperity and wealth, polka dot costumes bring good luck.
During the New Year, Filipinos believe that the sound of noise can drive away bad luck, so people will sound sirens and blow horns, set off firecrackers and fireworks, etc. to welcome the new beginning in theliveliestway.
NO.09
Mexico: Decorate the house and Tortilla Steamed Pork
In the Mexican New Year, every house is decorated with various colors, each color represents the hope for the coming year: for example, red represents love, yellow represents work, and green represents money.
In order to have a fresh start for the New Year, another Mexican tradition is to write down all the unhappy things that happened in the past year and then burn them before midnight, turning all the negative emotions into ashes.
Mexican families also get together to make New Year's Eve food -- tamales, corn dough stuffed with meat, cheese and vegetables, which are then distributed to loved ones on New Year's Eve. It is served with a traditional Mexican soup made from tripe.
In addition there is a rather strange New Year's custom in Mexico, people are forbidden to laugh when New Year's Day comes. Mexicans divide the year into 18 months, there are about 20 days per month, according to traditional customs, if you want to get good luck, the last five days of the year is not allowed to laugh.
NO.10
Norway Denmark: Garland Cake
Wreath cake, also called "tower cake", consists of many concentric circles of cake layered on top of each other. It originated in Copenhagen, Denmark in the 18th century and became popular in Scandinavia, especially in Denmark and Norway.
Made from almonds, sugar and egg whites, garland cake is rich and sweet, and locals stack concentric circles of cake on top of each other, even up to 18 layers.
The Norwegians and Danes are also creative, using flags, creams, chocolates as decorations and even hiding a bottle of wine in the middle, full of ingenuity to add sweetness and joy to the festive occasion!
NO.11
Scotland: first visitor
The last day of the year is called Hogmanay by the Scots, and now one of the world's most recognized New Year's celebrations, the origin of Hogmanay goes back to the celebration of the winter solstice.
The Scottish New Year follows many traditions, the most famous of which is undoubtedly the 'first visitor'. The Scots believe that if the first visitor to the house in the New Year brings gifts of salt, coals, shortbread, whiskey, etc., it will bring good luck to the whole family.
In addition, the Scottish people on New Year's Eve, the door of every house will be placed in front of some money, no one guards, thieves and beggars in the evening, saw also did not move a cent.
Because the local custom, the New Year's Eve, first put the money outside the door, the next day the New Year, early in the morning when you open the door, you will see the door has money, to take its "see a fortune" meaning.
NO.12
Greece: hanging onions sharing cakes carrying stones
In Greece, after the New Year's Day service, onions are hung on the doors of every house. Because onions sprout on their own, they signify rebirth and growth.
In Greece, on New Year's Day, every family makes a large cake with a silver coin inside. The owner would cut the cake into several pieces and distribute them to family members or visiting friends and relatives. Whoever eats the piece of cake with the silver coin is the luckiest person in the New Year, and everyone will congratulate him.
And on New Year's Eve, the Greeks will also make the greatest effort to smash a pomegranate on the door, the more pomegranate seeds smashed out, the more proof that in the coming new year, good luck will be spread all over the floor.
On the first day of the New Year, Greeks going out as guests would carry a large stone and drop it in the host's house as they entered, mouthing the words, "I hope the host's money bag is heavier than this stone ......"
NO.13
Ireland: Banging bread against the walls
There are many customs in the world of banging things on New Year's Eve, but this Irish custom is definitely the "bullying" type.
One of the most hardcore ways to celebrate the New Year through food is the Irish tradition of 'bread smashing'. On New Year's Eve, people hammer bread against the wall, and it is said that they believe that the noise makes bad luck run out of the house.
NO.14
Ecuador: Light a bonfire, burn a mannequin
In Ecuador, New Year's Eve celebrations are illuminated by bonfires. At the center of each bonfire are portraits, often representing politicians, pop culture icons, or other figures from the previous year.
These burnings, called año viejo or "old year," are held at the end of each year to clear the world of all the bad things of the past 12 months and to make room for the good things to come.
NO.15
Russia: Buy a fir tree, put a gift, make a wish
Russian New Year is the grandest and most ethnically distinctive traditional Russian holiday of the year.
To celebrate New Year's Day, all major Russian cities, major squares and landmarks are decorated with fir trees. Russians also buy fir trees, decorate them with trinkets and put gifts for friends and relatives under them.
On New Year's Eve, Russians sit in front of the TV, listen to the president's New Year's message and wait for the ringing of the New Year's bell in the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower. Some people also open their homes at New Year's Eve and make a wish, or light a note with a wish written on it, and then put the ashes into wine and drink it.
The Russian New Year is the most solemn and ethnically distinctive traditional Russian holiday of the year. The beginning of January is a time of revelry for Russians, when New Year's and Christmas converge for three weeks of revelry. In addition to spending time at the dinner table, Russians have long been accustomed to buying New Year's gifts, buying joyful ornaments, hosting family parties, or traveling abroad. The mood remains high until January 19, the day of the Baptism, when people continue to prepare delicious dishes and visit the homes of their friends and family.
NO.16
Italy: all-night fires, eating peas
Families pack up the old things, some breakable things in the house, smashed to pieces, old pots, bottles and jars are all thrown out the door, indicating the removal of bad luck and troubles, this is their traditional way to say goodbye to the old year to welcome the New Year. On New Year's Day, all the families will light up the fires, day and night.
A unique custom to welcome the New Year in Rome, Italy, is to jump into the river to welcome the New Year, which has a history of more than 60 years. The outdoor temperature is close to zero degrees Celsius and the cold wind makes people admire the feat of jumping into the cold water bare-chested. Those who have participated in the New Year's jump for many years are also awarded the title of "Mr. OK".
In Italy, people eat lentils first on the first day of the New Year. Because these beans are like ancient coins, eating them will make money every day. In recent years, people knead the flour dough into the shape of lentils, bake them and then pour honey on them to serve them, not only to pray for a rich life but also to symbolize the sweetness of love at the coming of the New Year.
NO.17
Chile: Cemetery Watch
Not everyone celebrates the New Year with the living. In the Chilean province of Talca, it is customary to celebrate New Year's Eve with friends and relatives who have passed away - please note that unlike China, where you might invite a few tablets and be done with it, the people of Talca actually go to the cemetery and spend the night with the other side!
Mary Andrade, author of "Day of the Dead: A Passion for Life," once described this way of welcoming the New Year: "It is not a time of sorrow, but a beautiful, joyful way for families to be together and to remember loved ones who have passed away.
NO.19
Czech Republic: Apple cutting
In the Czech Republic, apples are cut in half for the New Year, and if the core is shaped like a star, it's a sign of happiness and health; but if it's broken, well... you get the idea.
Open-faced sandwiches are also an essential Czech treat for the New Year, with white bread cut into small slices and topped with ham, cheese, pickles and salsa, sometimes with a special egg that will bring good luck.
An extra seat is reserved at the Czech New Year's table, not only for guests who may come to the house, but also so as not to forget those who have left...
NO.20
Finland: Solidified tin
On New Year's Eve in Finland, the custom is a bit stranger.
The local people, who melt tin horseshoes in a flat pan, then pour the molten tin into cold water. The molten tin begins to solidify the moment it touches the cold water, and the resulting random shape signifies wealth, health and joy for the New Year.
It is said that if the surface of the cooled and solidified tin is rough, it means a lot of money in the coming year; if the surface is smooth, it means everything is going well; if it appears round, it may mean that it can enter the marriage hall.
NO.21
Estonia: the king of binge eating appetite
If you're a foodie, take a close look at this custom below and see if you can afford to challenge it! The general celebration of the New Year is basically three meals a day, and for most lazy people, two meals for lunch and dinner. But in Estonia, three meals? That's not enough for the Estonian people. 7 meals even 12 meals!
In Estonia, 7, 9 and 12 are lucky numbers, so this tradition gives everyone the 7-meal system, 9-meal system and 12-meal system. It's not what I care about whether I can eat or not, I care about luck!
Meanwhile, the number of times the face is stuffed with food and swollen is said to be exactly the amount of power, in all areas, that can be gained in the coming year!
To here will find other countries New Year's customs, in fact, with some of our customs as rich and amusing, and even some really let people down, but in general, people are invariably on the New Year's Day to pray for well-being and happiness in the coming year. It can be said that beauty and beauty together, the world is the same. Finally, I wish you all good health in the new year, the heart wants to achieve, dreams come true!
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