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12 Strange New Year's Traditions Around the World

See how folks around the world will be bidding 2020 adieu.

Karen Glikman

Dec 08, 2020

Hunter College

274

12 Strange New Year's Traditions Around the World

Photo by Marisol Benitez on Unsplash

Let's face it, 2020 has not been easy. Literally, everyone around the world will agree. But, from wearing red underwear to dropping ice cream on the floor, this New Year's Eve, everyone will be hoping for a better 2021. Who knows? Maybe you can even give some of these traditions a try ;)

Pouring Lead- Germany

Germanway.com

Germans will melt lead into a spoon then drop it into cold water. The shape of the led predicts your fate for the next year:

Rolls into a ball = luck

The shape of a crown= wealth

Cross= death

Star= happiness

Throwing Furniture- South Africa

Tradish

If you are on the streets of Johannesburg on New Year's Eve, you better watch your head. Chances are, you will spot furniture flying from windows. You read that right. TV Sets, Fridges, you name it. For locals, this symbolizes a fresh start. Recently, however, authorities have established restrictions on this tradition.

Broken China- Denmark

112 International

Ever wanted to just smash a plate for no apparent reason? Well now you have an excuse to! In Denmark, people throw dishes against their neighbors' front doors. The bigger the pile of broken china, the luckier you will be. Danes will also jump off chairs at midnight to represent their leap into the new year.

White Flowers- Brazil

Best Life

Throwing white flowers into the ocean is said to satisfy the water deity, Yemojia.

Burning Wishes- Russia

Atlanta Journal Constitution

People in Russian speaking countries write down a wish on paper and burn it at midnight. Then, they put the ashes into the champagne and must drink it for it to come true.

Sleeping at cemeteries- Chile

World Map

This shows respect for deceased loved ones

Dropping Ice Cream-Switzerland

ice cream on roadPhoto by Pawel Janiak on Unsplash

The Swiss celebrate by dropping ice cream on the floor, which is said to bring peace.

Colored Panties- Peru, Chile, and Ecuador

indystar.com

The color underwear you wear decides your fortune. If you want love, wear red undies. If you want wealth, wear yellow. If you want peace, wear white.

Carrying around suitcases- Colombia

Latin Post

This is said to mean a travel-filled year

Sleeping on Mistletoe-Ireland

Single women will place mistletoe under their pillow in hopes of finding love in the New Year.

Circles Everywhere- Philippines

woman in red and white polka dot long sleeve shirt holding plastic bottlePhoto by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash

The symbol of the circle is sacred for Filipinos. Wearing polka dots and eating round fruits is said to bring good luck.

Eating 12 Grapes- Spain

extra.ie

Locals will eat 12 grapes, each one symbolizing good luck for each month of the New Year.

Potato Drop, Idaho, US

Idaho press

Spectators gather to watch a 400-pound Potato Drop every year.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

12 Strange New Year's Traditions Around the World

See how folks around the world will be bidding 2020 adieu.

Let's face it, 2020 has not been easy. Literally, everyone around the world will agree. But, from wearing red underwear to dropping ice cream on the floor, this New Year's Eve, everyone will be hoping for a better 2021. Who knows? Maybe you can even give some of these traditions a try ;)

Pouring Lead- Germany

Throwing Furniture- South Africa

Broken China- Denmark

White Flowers- Brazil

Burning Wishes- Russia

Sleeping at cemeteries- Chile

Dropping Ice Cream-Switzerland

Colored Panties- Peru, Chile, and Ecuador

Carrying around suitcases- Colombia

Sleeping on Mistletoe-Ireland

Circles Everywhere- Philippines

Eating 12 Grapes- Spain

Potato Drop, Idaho, US

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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