New Year's Eve is around the corner, and most of us are planning to celebrate it with our friends and family. Be it inviting people over for dinner or going out for a movie&ndasheverybody has planned their own "perfect" way to enjoy the day. However, across the world, there are many different ways that people welcome the new year. Some of these traditions are so unique that you must experience them at least once in a lifetime. Here's a look.
12 Grapes In Spain
The Spanish have a tradition of eating 12 grapes to mark the beginning of the new year, one for each hour of the clock. The custom of the las doce uvas de la suerte (the twelve lucky grapes) dates back to the late 19th century and is thought to fend off evil and increase the likelihood of a good year. However, this will only work if you consume every grape in a matter of seconds because they must be consumed precisely at midnight.
Soba Noodles In Japan
Soba on New Year's Eve is a custom that many historians believe originated in Osaka during the middle of the Edo Period (1603&ndash1867). There are numerous explanations behind this. The length and thickness of the soba noodles are one of the primary causes. They are considerably longer and thinner than udon. Longer noodles indicate a long life and a contented family. Noodles that are easier to cut are said to cut off the bad luck from the previous year so that the New Year can begin with a clean slate. Japanese folks also eat soba for good fortune on New Year's Eve. Soba also has the ability to absorb gold quickly. So goldsmiths employed fine soba flour to gather errant gold dust or gold lacquer. Thus, eating soba is believed to bring wealth to homes for the upcoming year.
Throwing Old Plates In Denmark
People in Denmark have a custom of smashing plates and crockery against their neighbours' doors to wish them luck for the coming year. Unused plates are saved up through the year, and on December 31, they are thrown at the front doors of friends and family members. It's said that the more broken china there is in the pile, the more friends and luck will come your way.
Serving 12 Round Fruits In The Philippines
Families in the Philippines serve twelve round fruits on New Year's Eve. These fruits resemble coins in shape and include apples, grapes, and plums. They are thought to symbolise prosperity. The ritual brings good luck and riches for the coming year.
Hanging Onions Outside The Door In Greece
Many homes in Greece hang onions on their doors on New Year's Day, a custom that dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks. Onions are thought to increase fertility, and were seen as a sign of renewal and expansion in ancient Greece. Thus, Greeks hang onions on the door in the hope that they may experience personal renewal and growth in the New Year.
