New Year's Eve is a time for celebration, but across the globe, people mark the occasion with a variety of unusual customs. From eating 12 grapes in Spain to burning effigies in Ecuador, these traditions offer a unique way to welcome the new year.
In Spain, revellers eat 12 green grapes in quick succession at midnight, each grape representing good luck for one month of the year. This tradition dates back to 1895 and has become so popular that Tesco now sells special packets of 12 grapes for British shoppers. Meanwhile, in Brazil, wearing white clothing on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day is believed to bring peace and happiness.
Colombians have a quirky tradition of carrying an empty suitcase on December 31, which is said to bring travel opportunities in the year ahead. In the Philippines, round items are considered lucky, so people wear polka dots, eat round fruits, and collect coins to attract prosperity. Greeks hang an onion on their door to symbolise rebirth, and parents gently tap their children's heads with an onion on New Year's Day.
In Ecuador, effigies of famous figures are burned on New Year's Eve to cleanse the old year and welcome the new. This tradition dates back to 1895, when townspeople in Guayaquil burned coffins after a yellow fever outbreak. In Scotland, the 'Loony Dook' involves jumping into the freezing Firth of Forth near South Queensferry, often in creative costumes.
Japan rings in the new year with 108 bell chimes from Buddhist temples, representing the 'Earthly temptations' in Buddhist faith. In Denmark, it is traditional to smash unused plates outside loved ones' homes to bring good luck. These customs, while strange to outsiders, are cherished parts of New Year celebrations around the world.
