Now that we’re done with this year's festivities let’s focus on the next. New Year is just a few days away, so we’re eagerly awaiting the night when we’ll open champagne bottles and count down to 10.
While New Year’s Eve celebrations are fun, have you ever wondered what they might be like worldwide? Or maybe you’d like to ponder where popular New Year’s Eve celebrations come from.
Well, here are a couple of shocking revelations and facts about our favorite night of the year:
Spirits away
Is it even a New Year’s Eve celebration without the fireworks? Most of us are obsessed with the fiery display that shines across the sky, but did you know it’s not just a random show that started on a whim?
New Year’s fireworks traditionally started years back to ward off evil spirits. The bright, fiery displays were believed to scare off any lingering negative spirits and cleanse the air of negative energy. It also brings good luck.
A dozen grape
Travel to Spain, and you’ll find every resident shoving handfuls of grapes in their mouths on New Year’s Eve. You’ll find these grapes count precisely up to 12; no, it isn’t a coincidence. These 12 grapes say a lot about your new year.
The 12 grapes mark 12 clock strokes and are eaten precisely at midnight. It is believed each grape represents good luck, so eating at midnight signifies you’ll have good luck for the 12 months of the new year.
108 tunes
People in Japan celebrate New Year’s Eve slightly differently; their celebration is termed Omisoka and involves ringing the bells hung at Buddhist temples 108 times. And you can pretty much tell it isn’t just a random number.
This unique New Year’s celebration is rooted in Buddhism, in which there are 108 sins. The ringing of bells 108 times is equivalent to cleansing and purging oneself and the nation from these 108 sins.
The ball drop
Let’s move back to traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations back home. We’re all familiar with the infamous ball drop in Times Square, NYC. But only a few know how this unique and fun tradition started.
The first ball-dropping ceremony took place in 1907 at One Times Square. The tradition adapted from maritime navigation techniques when balls positioned on high buildings dropped to signify the time for captains on the sea.
Spring cleaning
Well, this one isn’t specific to one place; several nations worldwide celebrate New Year’s Eve by deep cleaning like we do in Spring. We might believe it’s to welcome guests, and while that’s true, it has other reasons too.
Well, countless nations like Japan and Mexico believe in cleaning and decluttering the house. The tradition started as a way to eliminate excess stuff or belongings that tie a person down to the past or previous years, so cleaning welcomes the new one.
Polar bear swims
Head off to Canada, and you’ll find one of the weirdest and most daring New Year’s Eve celebrations yet. While most of us like to sit around a toasty fireplace to ward off the winter, Canada wants to welcome it with open arms.
The polar bear swim is a part of New Year’s Eve celebrations, where daredevils dip into freezing pools of water. The plunge is a cold way to welcome the upcoming year and represents a literally refreshing embrace.
Maple drop
In some parts of Canada, residents like to drop a single maple leaf at midnight. While most believe it’s a candid or random celebration, it weirdly mimics the New Yorkian ball drop and signifies similar hopes.
Of course, it’s not all about welcoming the year. The maple leaf drop not only welcomes hopes and aspirations but also celebrates the cultural heritage of Canada and pays homage to its national pride.
Healthy start
New Yorkians might recognize the infamous marathon run that takes place in the city in Central Park on New Year’s Eve. While most health enthusiasts eagerly partake in this celebration, they don’t stop to wonder why it’s so important.
The celebration is not only a way to welcome the new year or celebrate fitness, but it’s a hope of staying fit in the upcoming year. Considering we’re often behind our health goals, the marathon initially began to help people stay healthy and fit.
Alcohol-free night
While most of us celebrate New Year’s Eve with a champagne glass in hand, countless families skip the booze altogether. This little step is a significant part of a nationwide change inspired by a health protest in Boston.
The 1970s witnessed one of its heaviest drinking sessions in NYC, so residents in Boston protested for a family-friendly and liver-friendly celebration. This is why countless people casually skip the alcohol and spend time with family.
Auld Lang Syne
Countless English-speaking nations, specifically Scotland, sing a particular song titled the Auld Lang Syne, which translates to “old long since” in Scottish. The famous New Year’s Eve song signifies merriment and owes to a single band.
It all started in 1929 when Guy Lombardo and his band covered this song. The song’s popularity only rose with time, and although a century has passed, the traditional celebration stands strong.
Sydney Fireworks Display
Every year in December, we religiously visit that one place to view fireworks no matter where we are. But do we know where it all started? It began in Sydney, Australia.
Sydney is one of the first major cities to welcome the New Year. Its spectacular fireworks display over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House is seen by millions worldwide.
Early countdowns
We all remember growing up and celebrating New Year’s Eve with our parents. Yet, all the countdowns and celebrations happened before our bedtimes, a fact we didn’t realize until we were pretty old.
It turns out these purposely early countdowns took place decades ago with the intent to appease kids’ requests to celebrate the countdown with their parents and provide the parents with ample time to prepare for adult-only parties.
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This article was first published at Spatula Desserts.
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