New year traditions from across the world
As universal as New Year is around the world, each country celebrates it slightly differently. If you are planning on celebrating in another country, this may help you decide which country to countdown with.
New Year’s Traditions in Spain
To start the new year, the Spanish eat 12 grapes to symbolise each strike of the clock to midnight. It is believed that by doing this, it will ward off evil and bring prosperity and luck in the new year.
New Year’s Traditions in Ireland
The Irish believe that banging loaves of Christmas bread against their walls and doors throughout their homes will ward off evil spirits. So this is a tradition that is carried out on New Year's day.
New Year’s Traditions in the United States
Each N back long before New Year's Eve was ever celebrated in Times Square. The first time-ball was installed in Greenwich, England in 1833 to allow the captains of nearby ships to precisely set their chronometers. Due to its iconic symbolism, it was adopted by New York in 1907 and has been a tradition ever since.
New Year’s Traditions in Greece
Just after midnight on New Years' eve, it is customary to smash a pomegranate against the door of their house in Greece. This is because there is a belief that the number of seeds that end up scattered amounts to the amount of good luck to come.
New Year’s Traditions in Turkey
It is considered good luck to sprinkle salt on your doorstep in Turkey. This is believed to promote peace and prosperity in the coming year.
New Year’s Traditions in the Czech Republic
An apple is cut in half to reveal the fortune of the New Year. It is said the core determines the fate of everyone surrounding it. If the core is in the shape of a star, then it will bring health and happiness. However, if it appears in the shape of a cross, then someone at the party should expect to fall ill.
New Year’s Traditions in Denmark
The Danish celebrate the New Year by smashing dishes outside their doors as well as throwing them at their friends’ and neighbours’ front doors. It is believed that the larger the pile of broken dishes, the more luck in the coming year.
New Year’s Traditions in Japan
The Japanese welcome the New Year with a bowl of soba noodles. It is believed that the soba’s thin shape and long length signify a long and healthy life. Similarly, due to the buckwheat plant that is used to make the noodles, people believe that eating it will signify their strength.
New Year’s Traditions in Brazil
White flowers are thrown in the ocean as an offering to Yemoja who is a major water deity that controls the seas. It is believed that this offering can grant her blessings for the year to come. If you are looking for white flowers to celebrate New Year’s Eve, Interflora offers a range of white flower bouquets for online delivery. Explore our range today.
New Year’s Traditions in Estonia
To celebrate the New Year, Estonians will have seven, nine, or twelve meals as it is believed to bring about good things in the year to come. This is because those numbers are believed to be lucky numbers.
What are your New Year's traditions? Share your family’s traditions by tagging us on Facebook or Instagram using the #InterfloraAU hashtag.