New Year Traditions Around the World

The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months!
~Edward Payson Powell

Oshogatsu (Japan)
The New Year is an important holiday in Japan - it is the time of renewal. Bonenki (Forget-the-year) parties take place throughout December to say good-bye to problems of the preceding year. Hard feelings are put aside and grievances are forgiven. It is a time to prepare for a new beginning. New Years day in Japan is a joyous day, and is spent with family. Most homes and businesses are decorated with kadomatsu and there is a traditional feast.



Learn more about Japanese New Year traditions here, and here.

幸せ新しい年

Hogmanay (Scotland)
"Auld Lang Syne," the popular New Year's song, originated in Scotland. It was transcribed and refined by Scotland's most famous poet, Robert Burns. In Scotland the traditional New Year celebration is Hogmanay. The Scots traditionally clean the house and settle debts on the last day of the year. The fireplaces in homes particularly are cleaned.

A main Hogmanay tradition is "First Footing." Immediately after midnight, neighbors visit each other to wish happy new year. Symbolic gifts are exchanged - coal to ensure warmth, shortbread to ensure food security. It is considered particularly good luck if the initial first foot in to your house is a tall, handsome man.

Learn more about Hogmanay here.

Nochevieja (Spain)
People stay home until midnight on New Year's Eve, and when the clock strikes twelve, it is traditional to eat 12 grapes - one on each stroke.




Ano Viejo (Ecuador)
Ecuador celebrates New Year's by burning an effigy that represents the bad from the previous year and is wished forgotten so it does not recur in the new year. The effigies are displayed before being burned at midnight. Current events are often the inspiration for the effigies.



Another Ecuadoran tradition that is common in most of South America is wearing underwear of a certain color. Red underwear is worn to attract love in the coming year. Wearing yellow underwear on New Year's Eve is supposed to bring wealth and good luck.

Learn more about Ecuadoran New Year.

feliz año nuevo

Bisperas ng Bagong Taon (Philippines)
On New Year's Eve in the Philippines, before the clock strikes 12 the doors are opened to allow good luck to enter (also open windows, cupboards, drawers, etc.).  Everyone makes as much noise as they can  banging pots and pans, revving engines in cars and trucks, fireworks and fire crackers, whistles - all the noise scares away evil spirits. At exactly midnight, children jump as high as they can.



Filipinos dress in polka dots on New Year's Day, polka dots symbolize prosperity. Pockets are filled with coins to be jingled to attract wealth.  The house is cleaned on the last day of the year. On New Year's day, do as little work as possible and do not spend money. There is also the traditional search for 12 round fruits.

New Year Celebration in the Philippines

masaya bagong taon