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America has overlooked some craziest and mysterious ways of celebrating New Year that has been followed and practiced by other countries across the world. It is high time Americans get over with traditional way of celebrating new year by watching the ball drop and try few other amazing things!
1. Argentina’s Famous ‘Right Foot Forward’
After having the bash at New Year parties, everyone in Argentina performs the traditional activity of taking a step forward and entering into New Year. It is the Right foot that is supposed to be taken first.
2. Rooster Games Event In Belarus
The women in Belarus participate in games on New Year’s Eve that are supposed to foretell about a husband in coming year. The games include women of age groups: young and old all playing against each other to get a favor from a Rooster. Any Woman who succeeds to attract a male chicken before others is considered to be the first one to get married in the New Year
3. ‘Beach Prayers’ in Brazil
In Brazil, everyone wears white on New Year’s Eve to ward off the bad spirits.
In Brazil, people wear white clothes on the occasion of New Year to keep themselves away from the evil eyes in the coming year. And, then they move to beach taking flowers for their sea goddess Yemaja. Her prayers are expected to bless them with a fruitful year ahead.
4. ‘Dragons and Lanterns’ in China
New Year in China usually begins in February and is celebrated by cracking colorful fireworks, beautiful lanterns and show of dragons. The dragon manifests the blessings of New Year. Dragon is kept alert by the never-ending fireworks and glowing lanterns throughout his path to ensure the blissful coming year.
Related Article:2015: New Year Celebrations and Fireworks Around The World!
5. ‘Walk With Empty Suitcases’ In Columbia
Imaginative thoughts and fantasies rise to peak on New Year’s Eve in Columbia. The people who hope to travel in the New Year take huge walks on the streets along with the empty suitcases in their hands. This ritualistic walk is believed to ensure the great travelling experience for the people.
6. ‘Breaking Dishes’ in Denmark
In Denmark, everyone roams in the neighborhood and break the dishes by banging them on doors of friend’s house.
The more dishes broken on your door, the happier your New Year is expected to be. It has rational behind it as more dishes broken on your door means more friends you have and more friends are always considered a blessing in Denmark.
7. ‘Burning Old Photographs’ in Ecuador
In Ecuador, people burn the old photographs to get rid of old memories attached with them. On New Year, the photos are burnt in a ritualistic way that helps the person to forget all the bad things that happened in the previous year.
8. ‘Alcoholic Feasts’ in Estonia
In Estonia, people enjoy the New Year’s Eve by having seven alcoholic foodie feasts.
The more you get drunk, the better and happier the new year will be.
9. ‘Melting Metal’ in Finland
People in Finland get involved in putting molten tin into the pool of water. The emerging shape is read and the prediction of New Year is done on the basis of that.
Related Article: New Year Begins With Mourning in China as 35 People Got Killed and Several Injured in Stampede On New Year’s Celebrations
10. ‘Turning Off Lights’ in Greece
In Greece, the lights are turned off before the midnight on the New Year’s Eve. Every person closes his eyes for the last moment of ending year to pass by, and opens his eyes while turning on the new light to welcome the New Year.
11. ‘Bell Ringing’ in Japan
Japan celebrates the famous Buddhist ritual of bell ringing for the New Year’s. As the midnight arrives, clock starts ringing and bells across the country are rang 108 times in a gigantic purification ceremony.
In Japan, it is thought that a person should welcome New Year with a smile.
12. ‘Water Fight’ in Thailand
The New Year is celebrated in Thailand by famous Songkran Festival in which thousands of people participate in water fight on the streets of cities and towns.
All perform the little acts of kindness like throwing fish back into pond or river and giving each other special gifts such as watches, pens, and clothes.
13. ‘Breaking Old Appliances’ in South Africa
The New Year celebration in South Africa is all about destroying the old and used things. People take the old stuff such as electronic appliances out of their house and break them to demonstrate that they are done with the old things and all set begin with fresh and new ones.
