New Year's Eve traditions from around the world

New Year's Eve traditions from around the world - The beginning of the new year is a time of happiness and harmony. Lots of people celebrate this special day in accordance with the traditions and beliefs of their countries. In Denmark, breaking dishes is a way of attracting good luck, in Spain they eat 12 grapes at midnight, while in Ecuador they burn effigies. Here we will show you the different New Year's Eve traditions in countries around the world!

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France - Most French people start the new year with a good bottle of champagne. Wishes for the new year are accompanied by two kisses on the cheeks for loved ones.

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France - In France, the biggest celebration is on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It is a tradition for many people to meet up in this area of the city and there is a huge firework display.

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Spain - The Spanish have a tradition of eating 12 grapes just after midnight, one for each month of the year. It has to be done in sync with the 12 bell tolls, or it can bring bad luck.

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Italy - Italians usually wear red underwear on this day, as it is thought the color attracts good luck and prosperity.

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Ireland - A tradition in Ireland is for single people to sleep with a sprig of mistletoe, holly, or ivy under their pillow on New Year's Eve. It was thought that it would cause them to dream of their future husband or wife.

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The Netherlands - Here, a tradition is diving into the freezing cold waters of the North Sea on the morning of January 1. This tradition is only carried out by the bravest of the brave.

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Argentina and Mexico - People wear pink underwear with the objective of attracting new love for the coming year.

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Venezuela and Mexico - Both countries believe that wearing something yellow as the new year rolls in will bring luck.

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Mexico - For a fresh start, Mexicans clean the house, wash their clothes, and clean any precious items. It's a way of leaving behind the old year and entering the new one.

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The Netherlands - In some places in the Netherlands, Christmas trees are burned on the street on New Year's Eve. It's a way of leaving behind the last year and welcoming the new one.

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Denmark - In Denmark, the tradition is to throw your dishes against your neighbor's house. This is seen as bringing good luck for the new year and is also associated with friendship. The more crockery you smash against your friend's house, the stronger the friendship becomes.

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Brazil - People dress in white to ward off evil spirits. In coastal areas, there is a ritual of wearing white clothes and throwing flowers in the sea in the name of the water deity Yemoja.

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Brazil - To start the new year on the right foot, a lot of Brazilians jump over seven waves and make a wish for each day of the week.

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Chile - In Chile, it's customary to eat a spoonful of lentils to ensure a year full of good stuff (money, health, work).

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Chile - The residents of the Chilean city of Talca hold their end-of-year parties in cemeteries.

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Colombia and Mexico - In some parts of Colombia and Mexico it is tradition to take an empty bag with you in the street on New Year's Eve to bring travel in the next year.

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Ecuador - One of the most colorful and unusual traditions of Latin America is the burning of effigies in Ecuador. When the new year begins, thousands of effigies named Old Year are burned. Some regions of Colombia and Venezuela have also adopted this tradition.

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Finland - In this country people cast melted lead in cold water to reveal their fortune in the year ahead.

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El Salvador - In this Central American country it is custom to leave a bowl with a whole egg inside on the window overnight. It is said to bring fortune for the coming year.

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Guatemala - At midnight on New Year's Eve, the people of Guatemala go outside and throw coins behind them without looking back. It is thought to bring prosperity.

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China - In China, people paint their front door red to attract happiness and good luck.

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Japan - In some parts of this country there exists a tradition of decorating the house with a pine branch, which symbolizes longevity, a stick of bamboo for good luck, and a plum blossom, which suggests nobility.

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Japan - Lots of Japanese families hang wool to ward off evil spirits and bring happiness. The passing of the year is also usually accompanied by the sound of laughter, so that the coming year is full of good energy.

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United States - The main tradition in the US is the midnight kiss. Americans believe that kissing at midnight is a good way to cleanse any misfortune from the passing year and bring a good start to the new year.

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Egypt - Egyptians believe that the new year begins when when the sun rises. An official announcement of the new year is made in a mosque in Cairo.

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Argentina - Wearing underwear of different colors is considered a way of attracting good luck in Argentina. For example, red symbolizes love, yellow brings money, and blue represents health.

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Germany - In Germany, the pig is a symbol of good luck for the coming year. Celebrations include banquets where pig is eaten. For Germans, it is a sign of prosperity, fertility, and wealth.

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England - On the first day of the year the traditional London New Year Parade takes place. International artists perform dances, acrobatics, and other skills in the parade. The show is watched by a huge crowd.

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Cambodia - Cambodian children wash their parents' and grandparent's feet to show respect to their elders and receive blessings in return.

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