Weird and wonderful New Year’s Eve traditions – Part 2

The coming of a new year often means the bringing about of good luck and fortune. Have a look at our list below of some of the world’s most weird and wonderful New Year’s Eve traditions.

6. Throwing Out the Old, South Africa

It is tradition for residents in Johannesburg to party hard by throwing old appliances and equipment out of the window, literally representing the adage ‘out with the old and in with the new.’

7. Round Shapes, Philippines

On New Year’s Eve, you’ll find a variety of round shapes all over the Philippines, representing coins, they are said to symbolise prosperity in the coming year. From wearing polka dots for luck, to displaying piles of rounded fruit on their dining tables, it’s almost impossible to escape them!

8. Wearing Special Underwear, Brazil

In Brazil, as well as other Central and South America countries like Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela, it is thought to be lucky to wear special underwear on New Year’s Eve. The most popular colour to wear is red, thought to bring love in the New Year, while wearing yellow is believed to bring people money.

9. Hanging Onions, Greece

In Greece, it is traditional to hang an onion on the front door of your home on New Year’s Eve as a symbol of rebirth in the New Year. To commemorate New Year’s Day, parents then wake their children by tapping them on the head with the onion.

10. Eating Lots, Estonia

Traditionally, on New Year’s Day, Estonians try to eat seven, nine or twelve times throughout the day, as these are all lucky numbers. It is believed that the more they eat, the more plentiful food will be coming in the year.