New Year's customs of different countries. How the New Year is celebrated in different countries of the world. New Year traditions of Argentina
The most cheerful New Year traditions of the TOP-12. The site the site loves to talk about the strangest traditions of different countries, read
But, in different countries, not only such a celebration as a wedding or the birth of a child is celebrated in different ways, they also celebrate the New Year in completely different ways. And given that the New Year is one of the most popular holidays in the world, there are traditions of celebrating the New Year in almost every country.
The most unusual, interesting and original New Year traditions from different countries.
1. Japan - go to bed before dawn!
On New Year's Eve in Japan, bells ring at night, and exactly 108 times. The striking of the bell denotes one of six human vices: frivolity, stupidity, greed, anger, envy, and indecision. The Japanese believe that every human vice has 18 shades, so there are 108 strikes. Instead of a New Year tree, the Japanese have kadomatsu, which means “pine at the entrance”. This product is made of bamboo, pine, and rice straws are woven into it. Kadomatsu is decorated with fern and mandarin branches.
But the most interesting thing is that the Japanese do not celebrate the New Year in our understanding. On New Year's Eve, they calmly go to bed, but wake up early in the morning and all together go to meet the dawn of the New Year. We, of course, also meet the New Year's dawn, but in a completely different state! Read,
2. Italy - red cowards!
It is often said that in Italy before the New Year it is customary to throw out of the house (most often directly from the window) everything old and unnecessary: clothes, furniture or even plumbing. But, now this tradition in Italy is practically dying out. But what is incredibly popular in Italy before Christmas and New Year is red! The fact is that Italians love not only Santa Claus, but also the local, Italian Santa Claus - Bobbo Natale. Ah, Bobbo Natale, like a real Italian, is a terrible fashionista and loves red. Therefore, on New Year's Eve, the entire population of Italy - women, men and children, wear something red, even if it's just panties or socks. Therefore, when celebrating the New Year somewhere on the streets of Rome or Milan, you should not be surprised if you see a policeman in red socks, on the contrary, this meeting portends good luck. Another New Year's tradition in Italy is eating raisins that have dried right on the bunches. To Italians, dried grapes resemble coins, and it is believed that whoever eats more of them in the coming year will make more money.
3. Argentina - all on paper!
But in Argentina, the Italian tradition of throwing everything away has not taken root, though ... mainly among office workers. On New Year's Eve, the centers of Argentine cities are lined with an even layer of unnecessary paper, sometimes even heaps of papers. According to local tradition, unnecessary magazines, newspapers and other papers should be thrown out of windows, but most of all Argentines like to throw away last year's bills.
4. Spain - grapes and naked booty!
In Spain there is a tradition - at midnight to quickly eat 12 grapes, and each grape is eaten with each new chime. Each of the grapes should bring good luck in every month of the coming year. Residents of the country gather in the squares of Barcelona and Madrid to have time to eat grapes. The tradition of eating grapes has been going on for more than a hundred years, for the first time it was the reaction of the population to an overharvest of grapes.
Talking about New Year and Christmas in Spain, of course, one cannot but tell about the funniest Christmas tradition. About the Christmas priest in Catallonia, or if you still use the funniest word, then about the Ass.
“Booty, booty, hazelnuts and cottage cheese. If you don’t have g @ avna well, I will hit you with a stick. Popa ”, children sing in Catalan Barcelona at Christmas. And at this time they beat the wooden butt prepared in advance with sticks. Yes, such a funny, strange and funny Christmas tradition.
5. Scotland - we celebrate the New Year in silence!
Before the New Year, members of the whole family sit near a lighted fireplace, and with the first chimes, the head of the family must open the front door, and silently. Such a ritual is designed to spend the old year and let the New Year into your home. The Scots believe that whether good or bad will enter the house depends on who in the new year is the first to cross their threshold.
6.Estonia - New Year in the Bath!
One of the hottest is the New Year in Estonia, since it is customary to spend this holiday in a sauna. In order to enter the New Year clean and healthy, you must even listen to the chimes in this institution. But, in fact, now this tradition is more for tourists than for the Estonians themselves.
7. Panama - Burning Problems!
There is a very unusual New Year's tradition in Panama. It is customary to burn effigies of politicians, athletes and other famous people here. However, the inhabitants of Panama do not wish anyone evil, for example, they can burn an effigy of the Olympic champion of the national running team or the President of Panama. All these stuffed animals are called with one word - muneco, and symbolize all the troubles of the outgoing year. And since if there is no scarecrow, then there are no problems in the coming year. Moreover, every family should burn the scarecrow. Apparently, another Panamanian tradition is connected with this. At midnight, the bells of all fire towers begin to ring on the streets of Panamanian cities. In addition, the horns of cars are honking, everyone is shouting. Such noise is intended to threaten trouble in the coming year.
8. Peru - a girl with a twig and a guy with a suitcase!
For Peruvian guys, New Year's Eve is a pretty dangerous time. It's all about the unusual New Year's tradition of this country. At night, girls in Peru pick up willow twigs and go for a walk around the neighborhoods of their city. And her fiancé should be the young man who will invite her to take up the twig. Therefore, sometimes on the streets you can meet strange couples - a girl with a twig and a guy with a suitcase. Because according to another Peruvian tradition, those who walk around their entire neighborhood with a suitcase on New Year's Eve will go on their desired journey in the coming year.
9 . Denmark - jump into the New Year!
There is a tradition in Denmark to stand on a chair and jump from it when celebrating the New Year. It is believed that by this action, residents jump into January of the coming year, driving away evil spirits. It will also bring good luck. At the same time, the Danes follow another New Year's tradition - they throw broken dishes at the doors of friends and neighbors. Moreover, this does not annoy anyone, but on the contrary, it is very pleasing. After all, the family, on the threshold of which there will be the most broken plates, cups and glasses, will be the most successful in the coming year. It also means that the family has the most friends.
10 . Greece is a stone in the bosom for friends!
On New Year's Eve, residents of Greece, like residents of many other countries, visit each other with gifts. However, there is some peculiarity - in addition to gifts, they bring a stone to the owners, and the more, the better. It will seem strange to us, but in Greece it is believed that the heavier the stone, the heavier the purse of the gifted will be in the coming year. According to another Greek tradition, the eldest member of the family must break a pomegranate fruit in the yard of his house. If pomegranate seeds are scattered throughout the yard, then a happy life awaits his family in the coming year.
11. Micronesia - changing the name!
And the inhabitants of the islands of Micronesia change their name every time on a holiday - in order to confuse the evil spirits and to live the whole next year easily and comfortably. Everyone is free to choose a name for himself, so sometimes most of the population carries the same name all year round.
12. Bulgaria - turning off the lights!
In Bulgaria, the lights go out for a few minutes at midnight. When all the guests remain in the dark, you can kiss even an unfamiliar guest - the holiday will keep the secret of the New Year's kiss.
The most interesting New Year traditions TOP-12
A story for children about the New Year holiday. As the New Year is celebrated in different countries.
A story for children about New Year's traditions in different countries.
New Year Is one of the oldest and happiest holidays in the world. At the same time, it is surprising that there is no other holiday that would be celebrated around the world on such different dates and whose traditions would be so different. In Russia, as in most European countries, as well as in the USA and Australia, the New Year begins on January 1. Back in the distant 1700, the Russian Tsar Peter I issued a decree according to which the coming of the New Year was to be celebrated. People decorated houses with pine, spruce and juniper branches, arranged fiery fun and festive shooting. Over time, they began to decorate the trees brought to the house. So the green tree turned into one of the symbols of this holiday, becoming its main decoration, along with Santa Claus and Snegurochka. By the way, Santa Clauses look different in all countries. Our Russian Santa Claus wears a toe-length fur coat, felt boots, a high fur hat, and holds a staff and a bag of gifts in his hands.
In America, New Year's grandfather - Santa Claus - wears a short red jacket and a funny cap on his head. He travels through the air on a reindeer sleigh and enters the kids' homes through the chimney.
In Belgium and Poland, New Year's grandfather Saint Nicholas is considered the very first Santa Claus, because, as the ancient pre-ancient legend says, he left golden apples in a shoe in front of the fireplace to his family who sheltered him. Saint Nicholas wears a white robe and rides a horse, accompanied by a Moor servant, Black Peter, who helps carry a heavy bag of gifts for obedient children. The mischievous people do not receive gifts - for them Black Peter wears rods.
In France, a grandfather with a staff and a wide-brimmed hat, whose name is Père Noel ("Christmas Grandfather"), puts gifts directly into the chimney.
The Swedish grandfather - Jologomten - puts the presents by the stove, and the German Santa Claus leaves his gifts on the windowsill.
Mexican kids find gifts in a boot, and English kids in a sock. With the first blow of New Year's clock, the British and Scots open the back door of the house to let out the Old Year, and with the last blow of the clock, they open the front door to let in the New Year.
In Italy, on New Year's Eve, grandfather Babo Nattale and the good fairy Befana visit children. They give gifts to obedient children, which they leave on the balcony, while the lazy and capricious get only a coal. And on New Year's Eve, Italians throw old things out of the windows - cracked flower pots, ragged chairs, holey boots fly onto the pavement ... The more things you throw away, the inhabitants of sunny Italy believe, the more wealth the new year will bring.
The funniest name, perhaps, is that of the Finnish Santa Claus - Joulupukki (in Finnish “yolu” is Christmas, and “pukki” is a goat).
This name was not given to him by chance: many years ago he wore a goat skin and delivered gifts to children on horseback.
The Uzbek snow grandfather Corbobo, who, dressed in a striped robe, delivers gifts to kids on a donkey, is not far behind Joulupukki.
The Snow Maiden Korgyz accompanies him. In Mongolia, grandfather Uvlin Uvgun wears cattle clothes, because the Mongolian New Year coincides with the holiday of cattle breeding.
Australian Santa Claus named Sylvester cuts across the country kangaroos in swimming trunks and on a scooter - it's unusually hot there on a holiday. A local Snow Maiden in a swimsuit helps Sylvester deliver gifts.
In Greece and Cyprus, New Year's grandfather is called Saint Basil, in Spain - Pope Noel, in Cambodia - Ded Heat, in Colombia - Pope Pascual, in the Netherlands - Sanderklaas, in Romania - Mosh Jerilé, in the Czech Republic - Ded Mikulas.
But, for example, in Norway gifts are given to children by small brownies - nissé. They wear knitted caps and are very fond of sweets. Therefore, in order to appease them and get more gifts, children on New Year's Eve lay out various delicacies around the house in secluded corners.
In India, on New Year's Eve, parents put small gifts on a tray, and on New Year's Eve, children should wait with their eyes closed until they are brought to the tray.
In Japan, on New Year's Eve, bunches of straw are hung in front of the entrance to the house, which, according to residents, attracts happiness and scares away evil spirits. At the time of the new year, the Japanese begin to laugh, believing that laughter will bring them good luck in the coming year. The Japanese Santa Claus's name is Oji-san.
In Belgium and the Netherlands, there is a belief that the behavior of a person on the first day of the new year determines what awaits him in the coming year. Therefore, on this day, people try to do nothing. They prepare a lot of delicious food in advance and put on something new.
In Hungary, on the morning of the first day of the new year, they wash their hands not with soap, but with coins - so that money is not transferred in their hands all year round.
In Yugoslavia, for the New Year, they spread various objects on the table: a pine twig (for luck), a ring (for a wedding), a doll (for the birth of a child), money (for wealth) and cover them with a fur hat. Then everyone sitting at the table must pull out the object three times, and if he comes across the same one three times, this means that in the New Year he will have the event that this object symbolizes.
In Iran, a few weeks before the New Year, grains of wheat or barley are planted in a small dish - the sprouted grains symbolize the beginning of spring and the new year of life.
The clever Chinese celebrate the New Year twice: on January 1 and again somewhere between January 23 and February 19 - the date changes all the time, since this day is the New Year, calculated according to the Chinese lunar calendar.
Celebrating the New Year at New Moon is an amazingly beautiful sight! Street processions with firecrackers and firecrackers scare away evil spirits from the houses, and so that they definitely do not get inside, residents seal the windows and doors with paper. Chinese New Year's grandfather Sho Hin takes part in all this fun.
Preparing for New year in eastern countries, as elsewhere, it begins long before the holiday. In about two weeks, festive markets open in all crowded squares, where you can buy various toys, stars, lanterns of all sizes and shapes - in the form of fish, dragons, horses, birds. Candles are lit inside these bizarre figurines. A lot of toys made of dough are sold these days: warriors galloping on horses with swords, boats with rowers in colorful clothes, amazingly beautiful lotuses, figurines of animals and birds. And also clay figurines of animals and people.
In Vietnam, the New Year usually starts in February. Locals believe that God lives in every house, and in the new year this God goes to heaven to tell the Supreme Ruler in detail how each of the family members spent the outgoing year.
On a certain day, before the depiction of the Spirit of the hearth, people light candles and incense sticks, and also put sweet dishes. Sweets are offered for a reason - so that the Spirit's lips stick together and he does not say too much there, in heaven. And since the Vietnamese believe that God floats on his back
carp, then on holiday they buy live carp and then release it into a river or pond. In addition, in Vietnam for the New Year, you must definitely buy a hat, which are also sold in a variety of different styles and colors at New Year's markets.
There is a special attitude towards hats in the East. The hat is a symbol of power there and an indispensable attribute of the big boss's wardrobe. In Korea, for the New Year, at numerous Christmas tree bazaars, they do not sell trees, as in our country, but peach branches and trees symbolizing the onset of spring.
The colorful rituals that accompany the celebration of the New Year in the East have a very definite meaning. In addition to the incessant crackling of firecrackers, which drive out evil spirits so that they do not overshadow the holiday in any way, there are many more traditions. Celebration of the New Year, as a rule, lasts several days. On the second day, it is imperative to visit the parents and close relatives if they live separately, and on the third day do not forget to go to the teacher and congratulate him. In the first days of the new year, you cannot wear white clothes (in the East, this is the color of mourning), you cannot talk about death, grimace, imitating monkeys, and take out the trash.
And in some countries, the New Year is generally not celebrated in the winter months. So, in Indonesia, this event falls on October. On the first day of the new year, all the people there ask each other for forgiveness for the troubles they caused in the past year. In Burma, New Years are celebrated on the hottest April days. Starting from April 1, for a whole week people shower each other with water and have fun at the Tingjan New Year Water Festival. Iranians celebrate New Year on March 21.
Jews most often celebrate the New Year - as many as four times. At the beginning of autumn, during the harvest season, the festival of sacrifice of the collected fruits to God begins. Addressing the Almighty, people ask to save the harvest. From this holiday, the ancient Jews counted the days of the new year.
Later, in mid-September, Jews celebrate Adam's birthday and Rosh Hashanah. It is considered the beginning of the New Year for the calendar. It is believed that on this day the Lord determines how a person lived. Therefore, on this holiday, people rejoice in the past year and pray for peace, harmony and happiness next year. The prayer says: "May this year be kind and sweet!" In a festive meal, honey is certainly present, in which you need to dip pieces of apple and bread.
In early spring, Jews celebrate the New Year of Trees - almonds bloom in Israel at this time. People welcome the blossoming buds and the first green leaves, thereby honoring the beginning of a new life in the promised land. It is customary to plant trees on this day.
In fact, it doesn't matter when and how people celebrate the New Year or what the name of the snowy grandfather is, the main thing is that on New Year's Eve all kind and obedient children always receive wonderful gifts from Santa Claus!
You can always write a letter to Santa Claus at the following addresses:
Official mailing address: 162340, Russia, Vologda region, the city of Veliky Ustyug, the house of Father Frost.
Moscow residence of Father Frost: 109472, Russia, Moscow, Kuzminsky forest, to Grandfather Frost.
And remember, kid, that Santa Claus answers every letter sent to him, and his friends help him in this - the Snow Maiden, the Bunny and other fairy-tale heroes!
Happy New Year!
New Year is not only a time of fun, but also funny traditions associated with various superstitions, which supposedly should ensure good luck in the coming year. Celebrating the New Year only in red underwear, eating grapes to the chimes or walking around the house with a suitcase - these are just a few fancy New Year's traditions in different countries, which you will learn about from our informative article.
9 PHOTOS
1. Spain.
The Spaniards celebrate the New Year with family and friends. By tradition, at midnight, they all go out to the main square of the city to eat exactly 12 grapes to the chimes. At each stroke of the clock, you need to have time to eat one grape, while standing on the left leg, so that the right one can ... enter the coming year. This custom dates back to 1909, when a bountiful harvest of grapes was harvested, and cunning farmers thus figured out how to sell them such a huge amount of fruit. According to this tradition, the grapes eaten during the New Year should bring prosperity in the coming year. It is not so easy to eat grapes for the chime of the clock, therefore, shortly before the New Year, shops in Spain sell special jars with 12 grapes, peeled and pitted. Traditionally, grapes must be washed down with champagne.
What's interesting is that in Salamanca they celebrate the New Year ... December 15th. Salamanca is a university city full of students who tend to return home for their Christmas holidays. Therefore, they all together celebrate the New Year on December 15th. Especially for them, on this day, bells are ringing at Plaza Mayor announcing the coming of the New Year.
And that's not all New Year's Spanish superstitions. For the coming year to be monetary, the Spaniards throw gold rings into the champagne glasses, which are raised during the New Year's toast. If you throw lentil grains into the champagne, then next year you will be provided with an abundance of food. And you can also get wealth and prosperity with a green banknote in your hands during the chimes. Well, at the very end, if after the strikes of the clock you put a clove of garlic in your wallet, then the money will not run out next year. (Photo: Shutterstock)
2. Brazil. Many Brazilians wear white clothes on New Year's Eve, which are believed to bring them happiness and peace in the coming year.
The Brazilians have another beautiful New Year's tradition: shortly before the New Year, they make sacrifices to the goddess of the sea - Yemanji. On all beaches in Brazil, the day before the New Year, residents release boats with gifts for Yemanji into the sea and throw bouquets of white flowers into the waves. In this way, residents want to attract good luck, prosperity and abundance in the coming year. In Brazil, not a single holiday can do without dancing - residents perform candomble dances, introducing them into a trance.
About two million people annually celebrate the New Year on the famous Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro - they drink and dance to the rhythms of hot Brazilian music. And at midnight they enjoy an enchanting fireworks show over the beach. (Photo: Antonello! /Flickr.com).
3. Italy. Italians always celebrate the New Year in red underwear, which, according to legends, should bring them happiness in the coming year, and help unmarried ladies meet their soul mate.
It is also very important for Italians who they meet first in the new year. A man must meet a woman, and a woman must meet a man, then they are guaranteed good luck.
Another Italian tradition that should bring prosperity and well-being is to eat a portion of a soup or other dish with lentils just before midnight. The success of the inhabitants of Italy can bring shellfish and seafood on the New Year's table. Pork is also a symbol of prosperity and is served on New Years Eve as cotechino - a large, raw and seasoned sausage, or stuffed pork leg. (Photo: Shutterstock)
4. Ecuador. In Ecuador, there is a tradition of sewing dolls called Años Viejos, which represent real people, most often inglorious politicians, or events of the outgoing year. These dolls fill all the streets of Ecuadorian cities on New Year's Eve. Dolls are made from paper, old clothes and straw, some of them are filled with firecrackers. At midnight, the Ecuadorians set them on fire. Burning dolls are a symbol of goodbye to the old year and welcome to the new year. (Photo: Shutterstock)
5. Greece.
New Year in Greece coincides with the day of Saint Basil (Greek Santa Claus). This is the time of gifts. Children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope that Saint Basil will bring them gifts. By tradition, a New Year's cake is prepared - vassilopita, in which a lucky coin is hidden. Anyone who gets a piece with a coin will be especially happy in the coming year.
Even in Ancient Greece, there was a tradition of fortune telling on wine - oinomancja. Before having a glass to celebrate the New Year, it was necessary to take a closer look at the bubbles. If there are a lot of bubbles, and they are seething, then in the coming year there will be many changes, romances and even accidents. If there are few bubbles, and they rise in even chains, this means health and a joyful family life. If the chains of bubbles intersect, you need to be careful in the coming year, as this is a harbinger of health and financial problems. (Photo: Robert Wallace / flickr.com).
6. Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia and Mexico. In these countries, residents take suitcases in their hands ... and carry them around the house so that they will have a lot of travel next year. And to attract prosperity and abundance, Mexicans decorate their homes in reds, yellows, greens and whites. (Photo: Shutterstock)
7. Japan. New Year in Japan is called O-Shōgatsu, which means the first month of the year. Before the beginning of the new year, the Japanese are trying to finish all unfinished business, unresolved disputes, pay off debts and clean the apartment. To forget all the worries of the old year, the Japanese organize bonen-kai - a festive dinner with the family, the main dish of which is toshikoshi-soba - buckwheat noodles - a symbol of longevity.
At midnight in Japan, the bells of Buddhist temples are struck, namely, 108 strikes, which are supposed to free the inhabitants from evil forces. 108 is the number of temptations that, according to Buddhism, every person has. Celebrating the New Year in Japan lasts three days. For the Japanese in the coming year, the first visit to the temple is very important. The Japanese decorate porches and gates with kodomatsu - pine, plum or bamboo ornaments - for durability and prosperity. New Year's Eve in Japan is also a long-awaited time for children who receive a gift - toshidama - money in small, beautifully designed envelopes. (Photo: Shutterstock)
8. Bulgaria. An interesting Bulgarian New Year tradition is surwakari. After midnight, young Bulgarians go from house to house, wishing their owners health and happiness in the new year. In doing so, they hit them on the back with small twigs of dogwood, decorated with sweets, popcorn or dried fruit called "survachki". The owner of the house, who was "beaten" with a twig, must thank his "tormentors" with sweets, coins or other gifts.
Back in Bulgaria, if someone sneezes on New Year's Eve, it is considered a good omen. And the first animal born in the new year will be named after the person who sneezed on New Year's Eve. (Photo: Shutterstock)
9. Philippines. Most Filipinos spend New Year's Eve with family and close friends over a festive dinner. On this night, the whole family should get together so that no one dies in the coming year. On the festive table of the Filipinos, there must be 12 round fruits, symbolizing all the months of the year. Round objects, according to local beliefs, bring prosperity and money, so the patterns on the New Year's outfits of the inhabitants of the Philippines, you guessed it, represent a variety of circles.
Before celebrating the New Year, Filipinos also fill their wallets with money and coins, so that in the coming year it will be full of money. And children on New Year's Eve, according to tradition, jump high in order to ... grow even more. In the Philippines, the New Year is celebrated very noisy, because it is believed that noise drives away evil spirits. Some residents, hoping to secure their wealth in the coming year, walk around the house and shake a saucepan filled with coins. In the Philippines, as in Spain, there is a tradition according to which 12 grapes should be eaten at midnight. (Photo: Shutterstock)
As you know, every country and every nation has its own national traditions, related, among other things, to the holding of various holidays. Sometimes among such traditions there are very exotic, unusual and extravagant ones. Let's take a look at how New Year is celebrated in different countries of the world.
New Year - a holiday that occurs at the moment of transition from the last day of the year to the first day of the next year. Celebrated by many peoples in accordance with the adopted calendar. The custom of celebrating the New Year already existed in Ancient Mesopotamia in the third millennium before ad. The beginning of the year from 1 January it was foundRoman ruler Julius Caesar in 46 BC.Most countries celebrate the New Year on January 1, the first day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. Standard Time New Year's Eve always begins in the Pacific Ocean on the islands of Kiribati. The last to see off the old year are the inhabitants of the Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
From Wikipedia
For those who want to travel with pleasure all year round, i.e. for you and me, the best way to celebrate the New Year is Ecuadorian. Ecuadorian tradition prescribes: while the clock strikes 12 times, one must run around the house with a suitcase or a large bag in hand (can be around the table ).
New Year is truly an international holiday, but in different countries it is celebrated in its own way. Italians throw out old irons and chairs from windows with all their southern passion, Panamanians try to make as loud noise as possible, for which they turn on the sirens of their cars, whistle and shout. In Ecuador, they attach particular importance to lingerie, which brings love and money; in Bulgaria, they turn off the lights, because the first minutes of the New Year is the time of New Year's kisses. In Japan, instead of 12, 108 bells sound, and the rake is considered the best New Year's accessory - to rake in happiness.
Germany. Santa Claus comes to the Germans on a donkey
Let's start with Germany, from where the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree at the New Year's Eve has spread throughout the world. By the way, this tradition appeared there in the distant times of the Middle Ages. The Germans believe that Santa Claus rides a donkey, so children put hay in their shoes to treat him. And in Berlin, at the Brandenburg Gate, the most interesting thing happens: hundreds of thousands of people make toasts to the reunification of East and West Germany - there the holiday is celebrated very emotionally.
Italy. Irons and old chairs are flying from the windows on New Year's Eve
Italian Santa Claus - Babbo Natale. In Italy, it is believed that the New Year should be started free of everything old. Therefore, on New Year's Eve, it is customary to throw old things out of the windows. The Italians really like this custom, and they fulfill it with the passion typical of the Southerners: old irons, chairs and other rubbish are flying out the window. According to the signs, the vacant space will certainly be taken by new things.
On the Italians' New Year's table, nuts, lentils and grapes are always present - symbols of longevity, health and well-being.
In the Italian province, there has long been such a custom: on January 1, early in the morning, you need to bring home water from a source. "If you have nothing to give your friends," the Italians say, "give water with an olive sprig." It is believed that water brings happiness.
It is also important for Italians who they meet first in the new year. If on January 1, the first person he meets is a monk or priest, this is bad. It is also undesirable to meet a small child, and to meet a hunchbacked grandfather is fortunate.
Ecuador. Red underwear - for love, yellow - for money
In Ecuador, at exactly midnight, the dolls will be burned under the so-called "cry of widows" who mourn their "bad husbands". As a rule, "widows" are depicted as men dressed in women's clothes, with makeup and wigs.
For those who want to travel all year round, tradition prescribes: while the clock strikes 12 times, run around the house with a suitcase or large bag in hand.
Do you want to get rich a lot in the coming year or find a lot of love? In order for money to "fall like snow on the head" in the new year, it is necessary, as soon as the clock strikes 12, to put on underwear of yellow shades.
If you need not money, but happiness in your personal life, then the underwear should be red.
It's good for women - they can choose the upper part of their underwear in yellow and the lower part in red, or vice versa.But what about men if you want both?
Ecuadorians see the best way to get rid of all the sad moments that happened in the past year is to throw a glass of water into the street, with which everything bad will be smashed to smithereens.
Sweden. New Year is a celebration of light
But Sweden gave the world the first glass Christmas tree decorations (in the 19th century). There, on New Year's Eve, it is customary not to turn off the lights in houses and to brightly illuminate the streets - this is a real celebration of light.
In Sweden, before the New Year, children choose the Queen of the World, Lucia. She is dressed in a white dress, a crown with lighted candles is put on her head. Lucia brings gifts to children and treats to pets: a cat - cream, a dog - a sugar bone, a donkey - a carrot. On a festive night, the lights do not go out in houses, the streets are brightly lit.
SOUTH AFRICA. The police closes the neighborhoods for traffic - refrigerators fly from the windows
You should not walk under the windows in South Africa during the New Years celebration.
In the industrial capital of this state - Johannesburg - residents of one of the neighborhoods traditionally celebrate the New Year, throwing out various objects from their windows - from bottles to large-sized furniture.
South African police have already closed the Hillbrow neighborhood to traffic and asked residents in the area not to throw refrigerators out of windows on New Year's Eve. According to a police spokesman, due to the existing tradition, this quarter is considered the most dangerous in the city.
“We have distributed thousands of leaflets asking you not to throw objects such as refrigerators out of windows and not shoot firearms into the air,” said South African police spokesman Kribn Nedu.
On New Year's Eve, this quarter will be patrolled by about 100 police officers.
England. To be together for a year, lovers must kiss
In England, it is customary for the New Year to play performances for children based on the plots of old English fairy tales. Lord Disorder leads a fun carnival procession, in which fairy-tale characters take part: Hobby Horse, March Hare, Humpty Dumpty, Punch and others. All New Year's Eve street vendors sell toys, whistles, tweeters, masks, balloons.
It was in England that the custom arose to exchange New Year's greeting cards. The first New Year's card was printed in London in 1843.
Before going to bed, the children put a plate on the table for gifts that Santa Claus will bring them, and put hay in their shoes - a treat for the donkey.
The coming of the New Year is announced by a bell. True, he starts calling a little earlier than midnight and does it in a "whisper" - the blanket that is wrapped around him prevents him from demonstrating all his power. But at exactly twelve the bells are stripped and they begin to ring loudly in honor of the New Year.
At these moments, the lovers, in order not to part next year, should kiss under the branch of mistletoe, which is considered a magical tree.
In English houses, the New Year's table is served with turkey with chestnuts and fried potatoes with sauce, as well as stewed Brussels sprouts with meat pies, followed by pudding, sweets, fruits.
In the British Isles, the custom of "admitting the New Year" is widespread - a symbolic milestone in the transition from a past life to a new one. When the clock strikes 12, the back door of the house is opened to let out the Old Year, and with the last strike of the clock, the front door is opened to let in the New Year.
USA
For Americans New Year's Eve is when the huge luminous clock on Times Square shows 00:00. At this moment, thousands of people gathered in the square begin to kiss and press the horn with all their might. And the rest of the country understands - here it is, New Year. You can start with the traditional dark pea dish. It is believed that it is he who brings good luck.
In the USA, where in 1895. the first in the world luminous electric garland was hung at the White House, and from where the tradition of writing "New Year's tasks" with promises and plans for the coming year spread around the world, it is not customary to arrange solemn feasts, as well as to give gifts, everything is arranged there only for Christmas , and they necessarily transplant the Christmas trees into the ground, and do not throw them away, as we do.
Scotland. You need to set fire to a barrel of tar and roll it down the street
In Scotland, the New Years holiday is called "Hogmani". On the streets, the holiday is greeted with a Scottish song to the words of Robert Burns. According to custom, on New Year's Eve, barrels of tar are set on fire and rolled through the streets, thus burning the Old Year and inviting the New.
The Scots believe that the success or failure of the family for the next year depends on who enters their home first in the new year. Great luck, in their opinion, comes from a dark-haired man who brings gifts into the house. This tradition is called first-footing.
On New Year's Eve, special traditional dishes are prepared: for breakfast, they usually serve oat cakes, pudding, a special kind of cheese - kebben, for lunch - boiled goose or steak, pie or apples baked in dough.
Guests should definitely bring a piece of coal with them to throw into the New Year's fireplace. Exactly at midnight, the doors are thrown wide open to let out the old one and let in the New Year.
Ireland. Puddings are held in high esteem
Irish Christmas is more of a religious holiday than just entertainment. Lighted candles are placed near the window on the evening before Christmas, to help Joseph and Mary if they seek shelter.
Irish women bake a special seed cake treat for each family member. They also make three puddings - one for Christmas, one for New Years, and one for Epiphany Eve.
Colombia. The old year walks on stilts
The main character of the New Year's carnival in Colombia is the Old Year. He walks in the crowd on high stilts and tells funny stories to children. Papa Pasquale is a Colombian Santa Claus. No one knows how to arrange fireworks better than him.
On New Year's Eve, a parade of dolls takes place on the streets of Bogota: dozens of doll clowns, witches and other fairy-tale characters attached to the roofs of cars drive through the streets of Candelaria, the most ancient district of the Colombian capital, saying goodbye to the inhabitants of the city.
AustraliansI am
New Year in Australia begins on January 1st. But just at this time it is so hot there that Santa Claus and Snegurochka are carrying gifts in bathing suits.
The sky over Sydney sparkles with numerous fireworks and fireworks, which are visible from a distance of 16-20 kilometers from the city.
Vietnam. New Year is sailing on the back of a carp
New Year, Spring Festival, Tet - all these are the names of the most cheerful Vietnamese holiday. Blooming peach branches - a symbol of the New Year - should be in every home.
Children look forward to midnight when they can start shooting with small homemade firecrackers.
In Vietnam, New Year is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, between January 21 and February 19, when early spring comes here. At the festive table - bouquets of flowers. On New Year's Eve, it is customary to give each other twigs of a peach tree with swollen buds. With the onset of dusk, Vietnamese make fires in parks, gardens or on the streets, and several families gather around the fires. Special rice delicacies are cooked on charcoal.
On this night, all quarrels are forgotten, all insults are forgiven. The Vietnamese believe that a god lives in every home, and on New Year's Day this god goes to heaven to tell there how each of the family members spent the outgoing year.
Once upon a time, the Vietnamese believed that God swims on the back of a carp. Nowadays, on New Year's Eve, the Vietnamese sometimes buy live carp, and then release it into a river or pond. They also believe that the first person to enter their home in the New Year will bring good luck or bad luck in the coming year.
Nepal. New Year is celebrated with sunrise
In Nepal, New Year is celebrated with sunrise. At night, when the moon is full, the Nepalese light huge bonfires and throw unnecessary things into the fire. The next day, the Festival of Colors begins. People paint their faces, arms, chest with an unusual pattern, and then dance and sing songs in the streets.
France. The main thing is to hug a barrel of wine and congratulate her on the holiday.
French Santa Claus - Père Noel - comes on New Year's Eve and leaves gifts in children's shoes. Whoever gets a bean baked into a New Year's cake gets the title of "bean king" and on a festive night everyone obeys his orders.
Santons are wooden or clay figurines that are placed near the Christmas tree. According to tradition, a good host-winemaker should certainly clink glasses with a barrel of wine, congratulate her on the holiday and drink to the next harvest.
Finland. Homeland of Santa Claus
Finns don't like to celebrate New Year at home
In snowy Finland, the main winter holiday is Christmas, which is celebrated on December 25th. On Christmas night, having overcome the long road from Lapland, Santa Claus comes to the houses, leaving a large basket with gifts for the joy of the children.
New Year is a kind of repetition of Christmas. Once again, the whole family gathers at the table breaking from a variety of dishes. On New Year's Eve, the Finns try to find out their future and wonder, melting wax and then pouring it into cold water.
Cuba. Water is poured from the windows
Children's New Year's holiday in Cuba is called the Day of the Kings. The wizard-kings who bring gifts to children are called Baltasar, Gaspar and Melchor. On the eve, children write letters to them, in which they tell them about their cherished desires.
Cubans on New Year's Eve fill all the dishes in the house with water, and at midnight they start pouring them out of the windows. So all the inhabitants of Freedom Island wish the New Year a bright and clean, like water, path. And while the clock strikes 12 strikes, you need to eat 12 grapes, and then goodness, harmony, prosperity and peace will accompany you all twelve months.
Panama. Loudest New Year
In Panama, at midnight, when the New Year is just beginning, bells ring, sirens howl, cars honk. Panamanians themselves - both children and adults - at this time loudly shout and knock on everything that falls under their hands. And all this noise in order to "appease" the year that is coming.
Hungary. You need to whistle for the New Year
In Hungary, in the "fateful" first second of the New Year, they prefer to whistle - and, moreover, using not fingers, but children's pipes, horns, whistles.
It is believed that it is they who drive away evil spirits from the dwelling and invoke joy and well-being. Preparing for the holiday, Hungarians do not forget about the magical power of New Year's dishes: beans and thunder keep the strength of mind and body, apples - beauty and love, nuts are able to protect from harm, garlic - from disease, and honey - to sweeten life.
Burma. Good luck in tug-of-war
The New Year in Burma begins on April 1st, on the hottest days. For a whole week, people heartily pour water on each other. There is a New Year's water festival - Tinjan.
According to ancient beliefs, the rain gods live on the stars. Sometimes they gather at the edge of the sky to play with each other. And then it rains on the ground, which promises a rich harvest.
To gain the favor of the celestial spirits, the Burmese invented a tug-of-war competition. They are attended by men from two villages, and in the city - from two streets. And women and children applaud and shout, urging on the lazy rain spirits.
Israel. One should eat sweet foods and refrain from bitter foods.
New Year (Rosh Hashanah) is celebrated in Israel on the first two days of the month of Tishrei (September). Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of the creation of the world and the beginning of the reign of God.
Celebration New Year is a day of prayers. According to custom, special food is eaten on the eve of the holiday: apples with honey, pomegranate, fish, as a symbolic expression of hopes for the coming year. Each meal is accompanied by a short prayer. Basically, it is customary to eat sweet foods and refrain from bitter ones. On the first day of the new year, it is customary to go to the water and say the Tashlikh prayer.
India. New Year is a holiday of lights
In different parts of India, New Years are celebrated at different times of the year. At the beginning of summer - Lori holiday. Children collect dry branches, straw, old things at home in advance. In the evening, big fires are kindled, around which they dance and sing.
And when autumn comes, Diwali is celebrated - a festival of lights. Thousands of lamps are placed on the roofs of houses, on the windowsills and they are lit on a festive night. The girls put small boats on the water, on which there are also lights burning.
Japan. The best gift is a rake to rake in happiness
Japanese children celebrate the New Year in new clothes. It is believed to bring health and good fortune in the New Year. On New Year's Eve, they hide under a pillow a picture of a sailing ship on which seven fairy-tale wizards float - seven patrons of happiness.
Ice palaces and castles, huge snow sculptures of fairytale heroes decorate northern Japanese cities on New Year's Eve.
108 bells ringing to herald the arrival of the New Year in Japan. According to a long-standing belief, each ringing "kills" one of the human vices. According to the Japanese, there are only six of them (greed, anger, stupidity, frivolity, indecision, envy). But each of the vices has 18 different shades - that's why the Japanese bell tolls for them.
In the first seconds of the New Year, you should laugh - it should bring good luck. And so that happiness comes into the house, the Japanese decorate it, or rather the front door, with bamboo and pine branches - symbols of longevity and fidelity. Pine stands for longevity, bamboo stands for loyalty, and plum stands for vitality.
The food on the table is also symbolic: long pasta is a sign of longevity, rice - wealth, carp - strength, beans - health. Each family prepares a New Year's meal mochi - koloboks, cakes, rolls of rice flour.
In the morning, when the New Year comes into its own, the Japanese go out of their homes to meet the sunrise. With the first rays, they congratulate each other and give gifts.
Branches decorated with mochi balls, a motibana Christmas tree, are placed in houses.
Japanese Santa Claus is called Segatsu-san - Mr. New Year. The girls' favorite New Year's entertainment is the game of shuttlecock, and the boys fly a traditional kite on the days of the holiday.
The most popular New Year's accessory is the rake. Every Japanese person believes that it is necessary to have them so that there is something to rake in happiness for the New Year. A bamboo rake - kumade - is made from 10 cm to 1.5 m in size and decorated with various designs and talismans.
In order to appease the Deity of the Year, who brings happiness to the family, the Japanese build a small gate in front of the house of three bamboo sticks, to which pine branches are tied. Wealthier people buy a dwarf pine, a bamboo shoot, and a small plum or peach tree.
Labrador. Store your turnips
In Labrador, turnips are kept from the summer harvest. It is hollowed out from the inside, lit candles are placed there and given to children. In the province of Nova Scotia, which was founded by the Scottish Highlanders, merry songs brought from Britain two centuries ago are sung every Christmas morning.
Czech Republic and Slovakia. Santa Claus in a lamb hat
A cheerful little man, dressed in a shaggy fur coat, a high lamb hat, with a box behind his back, comes to Czech and Slovak children. His name is Mikulas. For those who studied well, he will always have gifts
Holland. Santa Claus arrives on a ship
Santa Claus arrives in Holland by ship. Children happily meet him at the pier. Santa Claus loves funny jokes and surprises and often gives children marzipan fruits, toys, candy flowers
Afghanistan. New Year - the beginning of agricultural work
Nowruz - Afghan New Year - falls on March 21st. This is the time of the beginning of agricultural work. The village elder makes the first furrow in the field. On the same day, funny fairs open, where magicians, tightrope walkers, and musicians perform.
China. You need to douse yourself with water while they congratulate you
In China, the New Year's tradition of bathing the Buddha has been preserved. On this day, all the statues of Buddha in temples and monasteries are respectfully washed in clean water from mountain springs. And people themselves pour water over them at the moment when others pronounce New Year's wishes for happiness in their address. Therefore, on this holiday, everyone walks the streets in soaked clothes.
According to the ancient Chinese calendar, the Chinese are entering the 48th century. According to him, this country enters the year 4702. China switched to the Gregorian chronology only in 1912. The date of the Chinese New Year varies from January 21 to February 20 each time.
Iran. Everybody fires their guns
In Iran, New Year is celebrated at midnight on March 22. At this moment shots from rifles are thundering. All adults are holding silver coins in their hands as a sign of their constant stay in their native places throughout the coming year. On the first day of the New Year, according to custom, it is customary to break old earthenware in the house and replace it with a new one.
Bulgaria. Three minutes of New Year's kisses
In Bulgaria, guests and relatives gather for the New Year at the festive table and in all houses the lights go out for three minutes. The time when guests remain in the dark are called minutes of New Year's kisses, the secret of which will be kept by the darkness.
Greece. Guests carry stones - large and small
In Greece, guests take with them a large stone, which is thrown at the doorstep, saying the words: "Let the wealth of the owner be as heavy as this stone." And if a large stone is not received, they throw a small stone with the words: "Let the eyesore of the owner be as small as this stone."
New Year is the day of St. Basil, who was known for his kindness. Greek children leave their boots by the fireplace in the hope that Saint Basil will fill the boots with gifts.
South Korea. New Year
Koreans treat each holiday with special trepidation and try to spend it beautifully, brightly and cheerfully. South Korea- this is a country where holidays are appreciated and they know how to spend beautifully. Not surprisingly, in the process of globalization, Western winter celebrations have been added to the traditional Eastern New Year for the Country of morning freshness.
New Year in South Korea it is celebrated twice - first according to the solar calendar (that is, on the night of December 31 to January 1), and then according to the lunar calendar (usually in February). But if the "Western" New Year in the Land of Morning Freshness does not carry a special symbolic meaning, then the traditional New Year according to the lunar calendar in South Korea has a special meaning.
New Year in Korea starts with Catholic Christmas. As in Europe, Koreans decorate the Christmas tree, and also prepare many postcards and gifts for relatives, loved ones, friends and colleagues. It is worth noting that Christmas celebrations in South Korea are even brighter than the calendar New Year, which is celebrated very formally. These days in the Land of Morning Freshness are perceived more like a rare weekend than a holiday. Therefore, everyone wants to get out to their hometown, visit their parents or just relax outside the city, for example, in the mountains. By the way, there is even an interesting mountain route that allows you to meet the first day of the new year at the top of the mountain.
We also celebrated the New Year at the top, or rather on the roof of our house!
The real New Year in South Korea comes according to the lunar calendar and is also called the "Chinese New Year", since it spread throughout Asia from the Middle Kingdom. This holiday is the most beloved and important for the inhabitants of the Country of morning freshness. Lunar New Year is also the longest holiday in South Korea. Festivals and celebrations last for 15 days.
home korea's new year tradition- a festive dinner, which is usually held with the family. According to legends, on a festive night, the spirits of ancestors are present at the table, who are considered full participants in the celebration, so there should be as many dishes of the national Korean cuisine on the table as possible. There is also a feast on Seollal day - the first day of the new year. All relatives gather at the richly set table to congratulate each other, discuss current affairs and plans for the future.
All subsequent days after the onset of the New Year according to the lunar calendar in South Korea it is customary to visit relatives and friends, to congratulate and present gifts. Moreover, according to Korean traditions, on the first day of the new year, it is necessary to perform the "sebe" rite - a solemn worship of parents and all the sufferers. The entire first day of the new year, young people visit their elders and bow down three times in a row, falling on their knees and putting their foreheads on their hands folded in front of them in a certain way. In return, the elders give the children traditional Korean sweets and money.
However, the New Year according to the lunar calendar in South Korea- it is not only a family, but also a national holiday. For 15 days, street processions, traditional mass festivities with costumed dances and masquerades are held in the country. Such a vivid spectacle does not leave indifferent either the Koreans themselves or the numerous tourists.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, the European New Year is celebrated on the night of December 31st to January 1st. This holiday is celebrated in all Malaysian states, except for those with a predominantly Muslim population (for example, in the states of Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu and some others). Some Muslims still take part in the New Year's celebrations, although alcohol is prohibited for them.
We are not Muslims, so we celebrated the New Year according to Russian customs, although instead of a Christmas tree we had a palm tree
On New Year's Eve, Malaysian television does not recommend drivers to drive, as all kinds of accidents involving cars driven by drunk drivers have long become an integral part of the holiday. For Malaysia, the New Year is not an official holiday, but thanks to the significant strengthening of the country's foreign policy position and the expansion of its political and economic ties with Europe, most Malaysians willingly adopt the European traditions of celebrating the New Year. In the capital of Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, as well as in other large Malaysian cities, on New Year's Eve, the magical atmosphere of the New Year holiday reigns.
Oceania
And the inhabitants of Bora Bora in Oceania are the last to celebrate the New Year on the planet. The holiday takes place here, like Brazil, on the seaside, and exactly at midnight candles are lit, colorful fireworks are launched and frothy New Year's champagne is poured into glasses. There is a belief: if you manage to make a wish a minute before the rising sun appears from under the mountain, then it will certainly come true.
It does not matter where the meeting of the New Year will take place, the main thing is that it will be remembered!
And one more very important remark: so that your journey - the New Year's Eve - always remains travel with pleasure
Most countries in the world celebrate New Year on January 1, just like you and me. However, there are a number of countries in which the New Year falls on other dates, and is celebrated in a completely different way. For example, the Chinese New Year is celebrated during the winter new moon at the end of the full lunar cycle after the winter solstice. According to the Gregorian calendar, it falls on one of the days between January 21 and February 21. According to Chinese traditions, celebrating the New Year is one of the most important and significant family traditions. On the first day of the new year, the Chinese launch fireworks, and also burn incense sticks, which, in their opinion, can scare away evil spirits and drive them out of the house. In ancient China, the so-called holiday of the beggars was declared on this day, when anyone could enter the house. If the owner refuses him, the neighbors will turn away from him and look with contempt. According to the Chinese, on this day, nature awakens, the earth and the sprouts of life that it preserves come to life. In the evening, the Chinese celebrate the return of the deities home. According to legend, the deities visit the world of spirits and "give an account" of the past year, and then honor the memory of their deceased ancestors. At first, the Chinese called this holiday "Xinyan" (New Year). However, today, in order to distinguish this day from the European New Year on January 1, the Chinese have renamed it "Chunjie", which translates as "Spring Festival". This happened in 1911 after the Xinhan Revolution, as a result of which a new style of chronology was introduced in China.
A similar holiday is also celebrated in Mongolia. It is believed there that the more guests come to the house that day, the more successful and richer the year will be.
In Japan, bells are rung on New Year's Eve 108 times. Each blow of the bell signifies one of six vices: stupidity, frivolity, anger, greed, indecision, and envy. However, according to the Japanese, each defect has 18 different shades, resulting in 108 bells. There is also a tradition here to present postcards with the image of the animal whose year is coming. The decoration of a Japanese house in the New Year is kadomatsu, which translates as "pine at the entrance". Kadomatsu is made from pine, bamboo and woven rice straws and then decorated with mandarin and fern branches. Little Japanese traditionally receive their New Year's gifts on this day.
A very interesting New Year tradition exists in Myanmar. Here on this day, everyone you meet pours cold water on another. This is due to the fact that the New Year in Myanmar falls on the hottest time of the year. In the local language, this day is called the "water festival".
A bizarre mixture of Indian and African rituals with European flavor turned the Brazilian New Year into a ritual of unbridled carnival and traditional worship of ancient gods. While on Copacabana Beach, almost a million spectators watch the magical transformations of lights flying into the sky from specially installed rafts in the sea, in Laguna di Freitas, the world's tallest floating tree, 82 m high, is illuminated with fireworks against the background of the equally famous statue of Christ. The Redeemer who stretched out his hands to bless the magnificent city.
In England, on New Years, the whole house is decorated with sprigs of mistletoe, which makes a great addition to the Christmas tree. Bouquets of mistletoe are everywhere, even on chandeliers and lamps. The British have a very interesting tradition of kissing a person who is standing in the center of the room under a bunch of mistletoe.
The Italian custom of getting rid of all unnecessary things in the New Year is well known. On the first day of Christmas in Italy, a Christmas log is burned - a large wooden log that is brought into the house in advance. According to legend, it is believed that a burning log should smolder slowly until the New Year, in order to get rid of everything bad, to burn all the troubles that happened in the house in the past year.
Jews also celebrate their New Year. Rosh Hashanah (which translates as the Head of the Year) is celebrated between September 5 and October 5 (163 days after Passover - Easter). Jews believe that on the day of Rosh Hashanah, the fate of a person is decided for the entire next year. As a person behaved on this day, so he will spend the entire next year. On the night of Rosh Hashanah, Israel greets everyone they meet with the following words: "May you be inscribed and signed for a good year in the Book of Life!" Then 10 days of self-knowledge and self-repentance are read, which are called "days of returning to God." Believers these days dress only in light clothes and eat apples dipped in honey.
In Bulgaria, as in many other countries, the New Year is celebrated at home. At the beginning of the holiday, the youngest member of the family stands under the tree and sings New Year's carols, for which he receives gifts from all family members. When the clock strikes 12 times, the lights go out in the houses for a moment. This is the traditional time for New Year's kisses. Then the hostess cuts the New Year's cake, which is stuffed with surprises. Anyone who finds a coin in his piece of pie will spend the next year in wealth. The same tradition of serving the "surprise" cake is widespread in Australia and Romania.
In Germany and France, they also prefer to celebrate the New Year in a homely, family atmosphere. In Germany, the whole family gathers at the festive table and the so-called Bescherung takes place - the traditional exchange of New Year's gifts.
In Austria, for the New Year, it is customary to give porcelain or glass pigs, often in the form of a piggy bank. According to local customs, such pigs must certainly bring wealth to the person to whom they are presented.
In Sweden, on New Year's Eve, it is customary to give each other homemade candles, since here the light symbolizes joy and fun. Swedish dads go out to take out the trash, and return in the guise of the local Santa Claus, which in Sweden is called Jul Tomten.
But Santa Claus can visit Icelandic kids any day from December 1 to December 24. Knowing this, many try to behave themselves, as they know that they can find an ordinary raw potato in their holiday stocking instead of a gift.
Going to New Year's Eve to visit Spain, be sure to bring along a bottle of champagne and a piece of nougat. It is customary to put them in the New Year's basket, which is in every home.
But the Greeks, in addition to the traditional baskets of wine and champagne, give each other a new deck of cards in the New Year.
There are many excellent traditions of New Year celebrations in the former Soviet states as well. So, for example, in Moldova, on the first day of the new year, grain is certainly scattered in all houses, which symbolizes a bountiful and fruitful year. In Latvia, the same is symbolized by peas. When celebrating the New Year, you must eat at least one pea. In Georgia, on the first day of the New Year, it is not customary to visit each other without an invitation. The owner himself invites those who, in his opinion, are associated with good. Such a guest must certainly bring sweets to the house. And in Armenia on this day it is necessary to congratulate all relatives.
Based on materials from ny.s-i-p.ru