New Year’s Eve is a perfect time to celebrate, farewell the ending year, and welcome a new one with enthusiasm. However, the way people of different cultures celebrate this event is diverse and unique. Exploring these fascinating cultural traditions around the world can give us profound insights into various cultures’ beliefs and rituals.
Japan is one of those countries that celebrate New Year’s Eve in an extraordinary way. The arrival of the new year is considered so significant in Japan that it has a name ‘Oshogatsu.’ One of the interesting traditions is to ring the bells at midnight in Buddhist temples. The bells are rung 108 times, representing the 108 human sins according to Buddhist beliefs. The belief is that ringing the bells gets rid of the year’s sufferings and cleanses your soul, enabling you to start the new year afresh.
Another country that celebrates New Year’s Eve with enthusiasm and zeal is Brazil. Brazilians celebrate the event with a huge fireworks display. Moreover, they believe that wearing white clothes on New Year’s Eve drives bad spirits away and brings good fortune and peace. Additionally, Brazilians prepare a dish called lentil soup, which they believe brings prosperity and good luck for the upcoming year.
In the Philippines, the New Year’s Eve celebration involves loud noises. The locals believe that making noise drives away the evil spirits and brings in good luck. People there traditionally light fireworks, blow horns, and even smash pots and pans. Moreover, the Filipino consider round shaped food items as a symbol of abundance and wealth for the upcoming year.
Scotland has its unique tradition called ‘Hogmanay.’ It is a three-day long celebration that involves street parades, dancing, and fire festivals across the country. Moreover, the locals celebrate ‘first-footing,’ which involves the first person who enters the house after midnight and brings gifts to the house. They believe that this brings good luck and prosperity to the home.
In conclusion, New Year’s Eve traditions are diverse and unique worldwide. It is fascinating to see how different cultures have beliefs and rituals associated with the arrival of the new year. As we celebrate the start of 2021, exploring these various traditions can help gain an insight into different cultures and inspire us to embrace diversity.
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