NEW YEAR'S EVE IN THE WORLD: CURIOUS TRADITIONS
Mostly each country has its own tradition at the beginning of the year to attract luck.
As a curiosity, we are going to tour several countries through their tradition on New Year's Eve.
It was Pope Gregory XIII who, with the implementation of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, moved the celebration of the official beginning of the year to January 1, instead of the way it had been celebrated.
It was on the Celebrations of the Annunciation, between March 25 and April 1, when the change of the year were celebrated, coinciding the end of the winter season with the arrival of good weather.
TRADITIONS IN THE WORLD
Normally people's superstitions have led to certain acts that have become traditions.
Specifically, in the transition from one year to the next, what is sought is to have a prosperous year, better or at least equal, depending on cases, to the one that ends, with health, economy and everything that one wants to add, such as the usual topics of peace, love, etc.
Below we are going to mention some of these traditions:
1. The United States and kisses at midnight
The Washington Times conducted a study revealing that about two-thirds of the US population said they wanted a New Year's kiss.
Superstition says that not giving a kiss at twelve o'clock at the turn of the year predicts 365 days of loneliness.
2. Japan and ringing of bells
This tradition is based on the 108 earthly desires with which human beings are born and which they must lose throughout their lives to reach a state of freedom and deep peace (Nirvana).
This ritual is called Joya no kane 除夜の鐘,the temples ring 108 bells so that whoever listens to it can eliminate those earthly desires from his heart and start the year clean.
3. Denmark breaking plates in doors and jumping from chairs
In Denmark they have a somewhat noisy and stress-relieving way of wishing good omens and affection to friends and family and it involves breaking plants at their doors once the New Year's Eve dinner is over.
Another tradition is to jump from a chair right at 12 o'clock. In this way, those who do not want to do without their tableware have a more economical option to attract good luck in the coming year.
4. Italy and eating lentils
This tradition dates back to Ancient Rome where the Romans on these dates gave small leather bags with lentils to tie around their waists. Due to the rounded and flattened shape of the lentils, the wish was that throughout the year they would become coins, this is a way of wishing for luck and wealth.
Currently the tradition is to start the year with a tablespoon eating lentils.
5. Spain and the 12 grapes
According to newspapers from the late 1800s, the Madrid bourgeoisie had the habit of drinking champagne and eating grapes at New Year's Eve dinner and as a mockery and irony towards that bourgeoisie, a group of Madrid chulapos went to Puerta del Sol to eat grapes. accompanied by the sound of chimes.
This action of revolt towards class distinction was joined by the surplus of grapes in 1909, which was the final push for the establishment of this tradition that spread to the rest of Spain.
Of course, eating the twelve grapes, one for each bell, attracts good luck for the coming year.
6. Greece and betting
In Greece the entire New Year's Eve revolves around calling for good fortune through card or dice games.
The game usually last throughout the night to continue attracting luck.
The dinner menu is not so important but you cannot miss the vasilópita,which is a cake with a lucky coin hidden. It is eaten after the midnight bells.
7. China and the red color
The red color(红,, hóng)) is the color of good luck in China. It represents happiness, success and prosperity. This is the reason why during the New Year it is the most seen everywhere.
The choice of red comes from the color of the flame and the theory of the Five Elements.
This color coincides with the south, summer and fire, which is why it is used to attract prosperity, growth and happiness.
