Happy New Year 2025: How New Year is celebrated across the world; know traditions, rituals

Yet again a new year has come, again we celebrate it with fervour and excitement even when we know nothing changes but even then, we hope for renewal, prosperity and more. At least we see a chance in the new year, new days for us to change ourselves and make life better. Though our sentiments and intensions are the same for the new year, different parts of the world celebrate December 31 and January 1 in a very different way. Let’s know different traditions around New Year celebrations. 

1. Japan 

Oshogatsu, or the New Year, is a period of purification and rebirth in Japan. According to Buddhist beliefs, temples ring their bells 108 times to represent the purification of 108 earthly desires. In addition, families cook traditional foods like osechi ryori, which consists of sweet, folded omelets and simmered veggies, and clean their homes. 

2. Scotland 

Hogmanay, Scotland's New Year's Eve celebration, has a long history. One of the most famous traditions is "first footing," in which the first person to arrive at a house after midnight presents gifts like whiskey, coal, or shortbread. A visitor with black hair is particularly fortunate! 

3. Brazil 

Many Brazilians commemorate by donning white to symbolize peace and jumping over seven ocean waves while wishing for a new year. Yemanja, the Afro-Brazilian deity of the sea, is honored in this custom. As a sign of appreciation and hope, offerings such as candles and flowers are often tossed into the river. 

4. South Africa 

In many regions of South Africa, people literally throw out their old things at the beginning of the new year, getting rid of appliances and furniture that they no longer need. This represents creating room for fresh possibilities and uplifting vibes in the upcoming year. 

5. Germany 

Bleigießen, or forming shapes by pouring molten lead into cold water, is a peculiar German custom. It is believed that these forms portend the upcoming year. For instance, a ring may represent marriage, while a heart may represent love. 

6. New York 

The Times Square Ball Drop is a custom that dates back to 1970. It entails lowering a massive, illuminated crystal ball at One Times Square in New York City to commemorate the final seconds of the current year. When the ball is dropped for the final sixty seconds, the drop occurs precisely at the last minute. The crystal ball is 12 feet in circumference and contains 2,688 crystal triangles. The visual treat is illuminated by more than 32,000 LED lights. Musical acts keep both those in attendance and those watching from home interested before the event starts. 

7. Denmark 

People gather to smash old plates on someone's door at midnight on December 31, which is New Year's Eve. According to them, this custom represents letting go of all hostility and animosity in order to start over in the new year.This is also seen by the Danes as a means of avoiding bad spirits. It is stated that a person's fortunes in the upcoming year is directly correlated with the quantity of broken dishes outside their door. 

8. Phillipines 

Twelve different round fruits, including pomelo, pineapple, apples, grapes, watermelon, pears, oranges, golden melon, guava, kiwi, rambutan, chico, and lemons, are arranged in this Filipino-Chinese custom. Since the round form represents currency, the custom, which has been practiced for decades, is thought to bring wealth and prosperity in the next year. For a more powerful manifestation, some people sometimes provide eggs in addition to fruits. 

9. Greece 

For Greeks, an onion symbolizes fertility, rebirth, health, growth, and longevity; the layers stand for the old being peeled off to make room for the new. Greek families observe this custom by hanging the onion on their doors on New Year's Day after church. To get their kids to wake up, they also tap onions on their heads. 

10. Spain 

A custom that dates to the early 1900s is the "twelve grapes of luck," or "las doce uvas de la suerte" in Spanish. According to this custom, on December 31st at midnight, individuals eat a grape for every ring of the clock bell, which represents each of the twelve months of the new year. A person is said to enjoy the finest luck and wealth if they are able to consume all twelve grapes. Vine producers reportedly invented the "twelve grapes of luck" game to increase their sales, and it eventually developed into a joyful custom.