Buzz
When we think of New Year’s traditions, images of noisemakers, champagne, the iconic ball drop, eagerly counting down the minutes, and perhaps a kiss often come to mind. Some might even be wearing adult diapers, knowing that restrooms will be scarce in Times Square, while others in North Carolina may be witnessing a live opossum drop instead of the usual ball. Despite these quirky variations, the essence remains the same. Let's explore some of the stranger New Year's traditions across the globe, beyond the diapers and opossums.
10. The Significance of Underwear Colors
In some countries, the color of your underwear plays a crucial role during New Year's Eve and Day. In Italy, it’s customary to wear red underwear for good luck. This tradition dates back to medieval times when men would wear red cloth to protect themselves from witches who roamed the streets at midnight, casting spells and creating mischief, all while safeguarding their 'family jewels.'
In South American countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Bolivia, it’s believed that the color of your underwear can influence your fortune for the upcoming year. Red symbolizes love, white represents peace, and yellow brings wealth and prosperity. One can only wonder what this means for those who prefer to skip underwear altogether.
9. Shattering Plates for Good Luck
In Denmark, it’s customary to throw crockery at the doors of friends and loved ones. Throughout the year, people collect old dishes, and as midnight strikes, they rush around their neighborhoods hurling them at the doors of those closest to them. The more shattered pieces you find at your doorstep, the more friends you have and the greater your luck will be for the coming year. After all, one person’s destruction is another’s fortune. Recently, it's become acceptable for those less enthusiastic or violent to place already broken plates outside people's doors.
8. Eating 12 Grapes for Good Fortune
In Spain, the tradition of stuffing twelve grapes into your mouth, one for each stroke of midnight, is believed to bring both good luck and prosperity. This custom dates back to 1895, though it was popularized by grape growers eager to sell surplus harvests. As long as you manage to eat the grapes by the twelfth chime, you’re set for a year of good fortune. Just be careful not to choke. And yes, there's the matter of red underwear—it's customary to wear them while consuming the grapes, but in Spain, it’s important that someone else gives you the red underwear as a gift.
7. Communicating with Animals
In Romania, there is an old agricultural superstition that grants animals the gift of speech only on New Year’s Day. So, if you find yourself there on this special day, you might just catch a farmer speaking with their animals, whispering New Year’s wishes in their ears. The belief is that if humans understand the animals’ words, it will bring bad luck. However, if the communication is unsuccessful, the year ahead will be full of good fortune. Personally, I plan on trying this with my dogs on New Year’s morning. Whether it brings bad luck or not, I can only hope to discover if they actually enjoy their kibble or if they roll on their back out of affection or just to get belly rubs. I’ll throw in some red underwear for good measure.
6. Overnighting with the Deceased
In Talca, Chile, New Year’s Eve involves a rather unique tradition: people spend the night at the local cemetery. It’s believed that the spirits of deceased loved ones return to the graveyard to join in the year’s celebrations, so the living join them by making bonfires, preparing meals, decorating graves, and even setting up beds to sleep among the departed when the evening winds down. It’s certainly a way to add a ‘spiritual’ touch to the New Year festivities. Grandma and grandpa, I love you, but... I’ll pass. You’re always welcome to visit me here, though.
5. The Tradition of Dropping Ice Cream
In Switzerland, dropping ice cream on the ground isn’t a tragedy, but rather a New Year’s tradition that’s said to bring an abundance of good fortune for the year ahead. Though it may have caused many tears among children in the past, it’s now a symbol of overflowing prosperity. If that’s all it takes, I’m heading straight to the store for some Ben & Jerry’s to get a head start.
4. Racing with Suitcases
In Colombia, the desire for a year filled with travel and adventure is so strong that they have a unique New Year’s Eve tradition. As the clock strikes midnight, people grab their suitcases and run around the block as quickly as possible. If done with the right intentions, it’s believed that they will travel in the coming year. Count me in for this scientifically proven method—this wanderluster has been dreaming of this moment for a lifetime.
3. Settling Disputes Through Fist Fights
In Peru, the Takanakuy festival offers a rather intense way to settle old grudges. Translated as ‘when the blood is boiling,’ this tradition is all about reconciliation through combat. Colorful costumes, eating, drinking, music, and dancing are part of the celebration, but it’s the community members gathering in arenas to physically fight each other that steals the show. The event, which welcomes participants of all ages and genders, aims to strengthen community bonds, resolve conflicts, and ultimately promote peace as they enter the new year. Personally, I’m more in favor of a hug than a punch.
2. Burning the Scarecrow
When the clock strikes midnight in Ecuador, people ignite scarecrows adorned with the faces of celebrities, politicians, and other famous figures. This fiery tradition is believed to cleanse the bad energy from the previous year and dates back to an 1895 yellow fever epidemic. Back then, people would stuff coffins with the clothes of the deceased and set them ablaze as a form of purification. It’s a pyromaniac’s ultimate dream party. For a bit of extra good luck, the challenge is to jump over the burning effigy twelve times without getting caught in the flames.
1. The Powdered Blessing
In Thailand, the New Year is celebrated in April with the Songkran festival, where people roam the streets pouring water and smearing talcum powder on others. The water symbolizes respect and cleansing, and sometimes it’s mixed with flowers and traditional perfumes before being sprayed. The talc is thought to bring a blessing for the year ahead. Songkran comes from the Sanskrit word 'samkranti,' meaning 'astrological passage,' a symbol of transformation and change. I’m all for getting messy, but is there any chance I can trade that talc blessing for some cash?
