Another New Year's Eve coming round can be daunting, especially as it marks the oncoming winter and the end of the Christmas period. But the vertiginous passing of time at New Year's can be alleviated via traditions, making this poignant time of year seem special and even add a sense of spirituality and identity. A few traditions seem to cross continents – fireworks of course, as well as fizz, making resolutions and wearing colourful underwear. From Greece and Italy to Japan and Brazil, we look at some of the best ways of saying ‘Happy New Year!’ from across the globe.
Scotland - Hogmanay
In Scotland, New Year’s Eve is referred to as Hogmanay – a festival thought to be linked to ancient celebrations of the Winter Solstice whose name possibly derives from the Medieval French aguillanneuf – a cry used to greet the new year (‘à l’an neuf’). To get ready for New Year's, In Scotland tradition goes that the previous one must be got rid of first, and a house must be thoroughly tidied. Popular across the UK, celebrants also cross their arms as they hold their neighbours hands to sing Auld Lang Syne. The lyrics were penned by Scottish poet Robbie Burns, and are an ode, as the title translates, to ‘times gone by’. Perhaps the most poignant Scottish New Year’s Eve tradition however is ‘first footing’, which is also practised in many households across the UK. When midnight strikes the first person to cross the threshold should bring a symbolic gift: salt, coal, cake and whiskey, representing health, warmth and prosperity. As a harbinger of good luck for the new year, the first footer is traditionally male, tall, dark and handsome (but this slightly outdated requirement is by no means obligatory) and are welcomed with food and a glass of whiskey by the host.
France - La Saint-Sylvestre
In France, New Year’s Eve is often known by its saint’s name, La Saint-Sylvestre – who was Pope from 314-335 – as well as Le Réveillon du Nouvel An. Having dinner as a family is traditional, and is the biggest dinner of the festive season. Caviar, oysters and foïe gras are all de rigeur, and are washed down with champagne (bien sûr). Many watch the President's message, the ‘voeux presidentielle’ on television at midnight (their equivalent of the Queen's – or King's – Speech). Costume parties, or soirées déguisées are also thrown and making a lot of noise at midnight – car horns, shouting, playing loud music is a requisite. Rather than using it at Christmas, the French also save mistletoe (which they call gui) for kisses when the clock strikes midnight.
Spain - Noche Vieja
In Spain, New Year’s Eve (referred to as Noche Vieja or the ‘old night’) traditions should probably come with a health and safety warning. Spanish households traditionally stay at home until midnight. In the lead up, many drop a coin, said to represent prosperity, into a glass of cava before downing it. Cherries and strawberries, representing love, can also be used as less hazardous substitutes, although if it’s fidelity you are after than you will have to risk it with your wedding ring. When the second hand strikes midnight, everyone must then eat doce uvas (twelve grapes) – normally green – at the pace of one per strike of the clock. 12 is meant to represent the coming 12 months, and the tradition is said to herald in prosperity and good fortune for the año nuevo.
On New Year’s Day, lentil and chorizo soup is also consumed for good luck – the lentils being said to represent coins. Looking to get lucky in love, then wearing red underwear is also said to bring romance (although the underwear needs to be a gift). Yet more simply, to start the year off on the ‘right foot’, many Spaniards believe you should literally take a step with the right foot after the bells finish chiming.
Italy - Il Capodanno
Before New Year's Day, ‘Il Capodonno’ (capo d'anno, meaning the top of the year), Italians also advocate getting rid of the old year, but in a slightly more dramatic fashion. A practice which is still very much alive in Naples and Rome is to throw old things – often pots and pans out of the window – this is meant to show you are letting go of old things, symbolic of the evil you have accumulated through the year. The tradition is also said to ‘ring’ in the new year and ward off evil spirits with the clattering sound.
As in Spain, Italians also eat grapes or raisins at midnight, also said to bring good luck and prosperity. Chi mangia l’uva per Capodanno, maneggia i quattrini tutto l’anno, goes the Italian rhyme: ‘Whoever eats grapes at New Year will hold money all year.’
Greece – The Feast of St Basil
New Year's Day also coincides with the Greek Orthodox festival of St Basil. On St Basil's Day, the saint traditionally brings gifts to children and brings vasilopita, a luxurious bread which is baked with a coin inside. St. Basil, who was born into a wealthy family, was known for his charity and giving out money to the poor – and would give sweet bread to families with a coin hidden inside. On St Basil Day families and friends traditionally visit each other, and in honour of Saint Basil's charitability, set a symbolic extra place at the table for him. In secular tradition, on New Year's Eve Greeks also hang onions on the front of their door. Onions – a symbol of rebirth – are also used by parents, with a tap on the head, to wake their children on New Year's Day.
Japan - Shōgatsu
Since 1873, Japan have celebrated New Year's according to the Gregorian calendar. Known as shogatsu, the holiday is the country's most important, and many businesses close from 1-3 January as people visit family and offer presents. Friends and coworkers also celebrate with bonenkai, ‘forget-the-year’ parties where you are supposed to leave the stress of the previous year behind you. Yet don't expect to see firework displays in Japan. Japan's New Year's traditions are influenced by the country's Buddhist and Shinto culture: hatsumode (the year's first temple visit) is an important part of celebrations. If you go to one – such as Tokyo's famous Meiji Shrine – at New Year's Eve, then the bells are repeatedly rung at midnight in a spectacular manner. Special foods served include osechi ryori, otoso (sweet rice wine) and ozoni (soup with rice cakes). People also send cards to friends, co-workers and family – delivered explicitly on 1st January. On New Year's Day it is also customary to get up early to see the sunrise (Hatsunhinode) although this might be tricky if you've over done it the night before.
Brazil - Año novo
There are seemingly hundreds of New Year's traditions in Brazil. But as a country with 8,000 kilometres of coastline, it may come as no surprise that Brazilians celebrate by going to the beach. It is tradition to jump over seven waves – a symbol of power and good luck – and to make a wish as you jump over each one. Lentils, symbolic of money and abundance, are also normally eaten – a tradition thought to have been brought over by Italian immigrants to Brazil. Rather playfully, you are meant to eat seven bites of the lentils, finding a higher place to put yourself (a chair, table, counter etc) after each one. A little more tempting than lentils is the tradition of having a fruit basket at New Year's Eve supper as well as sipping sparkling wine at midnight, making a wish with each gulp. It is also common to see millions of people dressed in white as they hit the shores – a tradition which comes from the Candomblé religion, where people wore white during rituals in hope of spiritual purification and renewal. In Portugese, people wish each other Ano novo, vida nova! meaning New year, new life!
New York City – Times Square Ball
As a melting pot of cultures and heritages, Americans celebrate a wealth of different traditions at New Year's Eve. But in the Big Apple, one tradition, known as the ‘Times Square Ball’ is sacrosanct and is essentially a ‘time ball’ (a big silver ball) which descends down a flagpole at midnight. The event has been held since 1907 – with a small gap during WW2 for blackouts. 1.4kg of confetti is dropped on Times Square at midnight, and on many of the pieces are personal messages of hope for the next year, which are submitted by the public.
