Unique New Year Customs From Around the World

Russia (Siberia)

The Russians enjoy having a freezing experience for the New Year. They perform a unique ritual of placing the “New Year’s tree” under Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake. Professional divers cut a hole in the ice covering the lake and dive down to the lake floor, 40 meters deep. One of these divers carries the traditional New Year’s tree to the bottom while the others perform a traditional dance around it. Meanwhile the audience at the surface gets to enjoy the presence of the “Ice Maiden” and “Father Frost” who are two popular figures, depicting winter, from the Russian culture

Germany

Das Bleigießen or “Lead pouring” is a method of predicting the future held by the New Year, in Germany. Some lead is taken in a spoon and melted over a flame. The molten lead is then poured into a bucket of water and the shapes formed by it are used to predict what the New Year holds for you. For example, a ball signifies luck rolling your way while a cross depicts death.

Mexico

The Mexicans hold great regard for their dead and find New Year’s Eve as the perfect opportunity for communicating with them. Many people gather in a dark room which has a candle lit at the centre, and sit around the candle in a circle. Then they join hands and meditate collectively, to call upon the wise spirits, who will reveal their fortunes for the coming year guide them to a better future.

Japan

In Japan, New Year or “oshogatsu” is a time for sins to be purified. Here, the people eat traditional noodles called “toshikoshisoba” (year-crossing noodles) at midnight on December 31, while listening to Buddhist temple bells ring 108 times. These 108 rings symbolize the removal of the 108 sins which plague every human being.

Spain

The Spanish make sure that they eat exactly 12 grapes, 12 seconds before the clock strikes 12 AM on December 31. This strange ritual was started by a king of Spain in the 20th century, when strange weather conditions resulted in an unusually large harvest of grapes in the winter. Not knowing what to do, each citizen was given 12 grapes to eat on New Year’s Eve.

Scotland

The New Year in Scotland is termed Hogmanay, when people set barrels of tar on fire and roll them downhill. This symbolizes the end of an old year and the advent of the New Year.

India (North)

The north Indians celebrate “Diwali” (Festival of lights) as their new year. This is not a fixed date and falls sometime during October/November of the Gregorian calendar. On this day, the streets are lit with “Diyas” (oil lamps). Every neighborhood conducts a special function where two huge straw-statues are made, of the savior “Lord Rama” and the evil “Ravana”. Lord Rama wields a bow and a burning arrow, which is launched at Ravana to set him ablaze. This marks the end of evil in the world and then the people celebrate by lighting crackers (fireworks) and exchanging sweets.

Greece

In Greece, New Year’s Day is also celebrated as the Festival of St, Basil. A large traditional St. Basil cake “Vasilopitta” is baked, with a tiny golden or silver coin in it. The cake is then cut and served. The person who finds the coin is believed to have a lucky year ahead of him or her.

Thailand

As per the Gregorian calendar, the Thai New Year lasts for three days, from 13th to 15th April. This festival is known as “songkran”, named after the Thai god of harvest. The main event of this festival is the pouring of water over others. All over Thailand, people crowd on streets just to pour water on anybody and everybody. This symbolizes the bringing of good rains for the year to come. Since the festival also symbolizes freedom, birds are released from their cages and fish are released into rivers from fish bowls.