By: Joshua Choe, Sports Editor
Across the world, different cultures and countries unite to celebrate the start of a new year and a fresh start from the previous year; a chance to leave everything behind and start afresh with new opportunities. Where different cultures may celebrate the same occasion, the traditions, history, and customs behind them can be as different as the cultures themselves are.
In America, we celebrate New Years with the easily recognizable countdown to the New Years on December 31st, the last day before a new year. With families and friends gathering, parties being thrown, and the food, drink and revelry, America’s version of a New Year is certainly an iconic one. The most notable event marking the countdown to the start of the new year is the annual ball drop in New York Times Square, an event that is streamed nationwide to all media outlets for all to watch. Millions across America gather around screens to watch the ball drop and countdown.
In China, Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is a grand celebration that extends over two weeks. The highlight of the festivities is the reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, where families come together to share a feast. Traditional dishes like dumplings, fish, and rice cakes are served, each carrying symbolic meaning associated with prosperity, good luck, and family unity. Red decorations and lanterns adorn homes to ward off evil spirits.
Spain also has quite the iconic New Year’s tradition. Revelers welcome the New Year by indulging in a unique tradition: eating twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight. Each grape represents a month of the coming year, and the goal is to consume them all within the first twelve seconds of the new year. It’s a test of both timing and taste and those who successfully complete the challenge are said to be blessed with good luck for the months ahead.
In the Land of the Rising Sun, the arrival of the New Year is signaled by the sound of temple bells. Known as “Joya no Kane,” this tradition involves ringing the temple bells exactly 108 times, symbolizing the 108 worldly desires that, according to Buddhist belief, cause human suffering. Somewhat similar to Spain’s tradition of 12 grapes, the resonating chimes are believed to purify the soul and bring about a fresh start.
For Brazil, however, New Year’s Eve is a vibrant and colorful affair, marked by the tradition of wearing specific colors to attract particular energies. White is worn for peace, red for passion, yellow for prosperity, and green for health. Locals flock to the beaches to make offerings to Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea, while dancing and fireworks light up the night sky. The celebration is a visual spectacle, reflecting the country’s rich cultural diversity.
The mentioned countries’ traditions are only a few mentioned from the hundreds of countries that celebrate New Years with their own unique and customary celebrations. Everyone looks forward to a new year; the aforementioned are only a hint as to how differently the world can celebrate a common holiday.
