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5 unusual traditions of greeting the new year around the world

| Updated: January 04, 2023 12:42:17


5 unusual traditions of greeting the new year around the world

January 1, the first of any year as per the Gregorian Calendar, is celebrated with pomp and circumstance throughout the world. Although in most places, the celebration of the New Year follows specific patterns, such as the burning of firecrackers and spending time with friends and family. However, many places in the world celebrate the New Year in a way that might seem unusual to most people.

The Danish tradition of broken plates

The Danes are constantly ranked among the most prosperous nations in the world. Like most other things, their celebration of the new year is different compared to the rest of the world. 

If you ever wake up in Denmark and find a lot of broken utensils in front of your door, you can be sure that the New Year has just begun.

The tradition of 108 rings in Japan

Japan, a country steeped in ancient tradition, has retained a few traditions when celebrating the New Year. In a Buddhist tradition, bells are rung 108 times before New Year's eve, which supposedly cleanses the sins away; the tradition can also be seen in many Japanese pop culture references as well.

The usage of round things in the Philippines

While there are many quirky things about the Southeast Asian nation, their celebration of the New Year is on a whole new level. Filipino people try to amass as many circular or round things as possible on New Year's eve, which supposedly represents wealth and prosperity and is a tradition that sets them apart from the rest of the world.

Burning of scarecrows in Ecuador

Scarecrows, despite being a necessity for many farmers, are often depicted as scary and evil in a lot of horror literature and in popular media. 

However, Ecuadorians have a completely different tradition regarding scarecrows on New Year's Eve. They set the scarecrows on fire on New Year's Eve, often accompanied by things that represent the unpleasant happenings of the past year.

Grape-eating Spaniards

Spaniards have a tradition of eating 12 grapes, each with the bell ringing after the clock goes past the 12 a.m. mark on New Year's Eve. This is supposed to bring prosperity and happiness in the new year. However, for the modern Spaniards, this is more of a tradition that has been passed on to them.

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