30 Bizarre New Year's Eve Traditions Around the World

QUIRKY NEW YEAR'S TRADITIONS 30 World the Anound From In Brazil, people wear mostly white clothing on New Year's, to represent peace. Other colors attract different kinds of luck: green means good health, yellow is for money, red is for passion and romance, and purple for inspiration. In Chile, people eat a spoonful of lentils at midnight to ensure a year filled with work and money. In Ecuador, people wear colorful underwear to attract certain things: yellow undies to make money, or red undies to fall in love. In the Philippines, you should wear polka dots to bring prosperity - the round dots represent coins. Some also take it one step further and eat all round foods. In El Salvador, it's tradition to crack an egg into a glass of water on New Year's Eve. Let it sit as the clock strikes midnight, and the next morning try to interpret the shape and what it means for the next year. In Columbia, it's tradition to walk around your block with an empty suitcase. This is done to ensure a year full of travel In Belgrade, Serbia, a crucifix is thrown into the Danube by an Eastern Orthodox priest. The first person to dive into icy waters and get it will be blessed with a healthy year. In Scotland, "first-footing" (aka Hogmanay ) is practiced. The custom dictates that the first person to cross the threshold of a home in the New Year should carry a gift for luck (whiskey is the most common). In Spain, you should eat a grape with each bell strike at midnight. Each grape represents luck for one month of the coming year. In Russia, write down a wish on paper, burn it, throw it in a champagne glass, and drink it before 12:01. In South Africa, locals in downtown Johannesburg throw old appliances and rubbish bins out the window. (It is not clear why they have taken to this.but it is a tradition nonetheless!). In Japan, it's tradition to wear a costume of the next year's zodiac animal to the local temple, where bells chime 108 times (a Buddhist belief that this brings cleanness). In Denmark, Danes hurl old plates and glasses against the doors of friends' and relatives' houses. This is based on the belief that breaking glass brings good luck. In Panama, full-size dolls of well-known people (muñecos) are burned in bonfires, meant to drive off evil spirits. In Finland, people cast molten tin into water and observe the shape after it hardens. They think that this can determine the coming year's events (an animal shape means food, heart shape signifies love, etc.) In Ireland, young girls place mistletoe under their pillows in hopes to dream about their future husband. In Estonia, people eat 7, 9, or even 12 times on New Year's Day to ensure abundance. + In Switzerland, whipped cream is eaten and dropped onto the floor of the home.. where it remains all year. In China, firecrackers are lit at midnight to both celebrate and chase away forces of darkness. In Puerto Rico, people keep evil spirits at bay by falling backward into waves as the clock strikes midnight. In Romania, there is a tradition known as the 'dance of the bear': people adorn masks of animals and gypsies, and put on a performance for spectators. In Turkey, they throw pomegranates (representing life and fertility) to the street from their balconies. The more it splatters, the better your year is supposed to be. In Greece, a tradition known as 'First-Footing' is followed. The first person to enter the house must use their right foot first and smash a pomegranate on the floor while wishing for abundance and health for the residents. In Canada, there is a tradition of jumping in ice cold water for good luck (known as the Polar Bear Plunge). In Belgium, the farmers all wish their cows a happy new year to bring luck for the entire year. In Australia, people walk through the streets banging loudly on pots and pans at midnight, which is meant to both celebrate and ward off evil spirits. In Guatemala, it's tradition to throw 12 pennies over your shoulder and onto the curb or street. This represents throwing out the poverty of the previous year. It's also lucky to pick up 12 coins (not your own) on New Year's Day. In Bolivia , coins are baked into sweets and whoever finds the coins has good luck for the next year. 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