Meet some sympathies that promise to bring luck, money, peace, love, and good energies for the year that begins.
Time to say goodbye to 2022 and welcome to 2023! Here’s a list of tips on popular traditions and what each represents.
1. Jump 7 waves
One of the most popular traditions in Brazil for those who choose to spend New Year’s Eve on the beach is jumping the seven waves. The origin of the tradition of jumping seven waves comes from African cultures. To perform the spell, the person must jump seven waves and, each time, think of something you are thankful for or wish something for the following year.
2. Wear white clothes
In Western culture, white symbolizes peace and is a color widely used in rituals involving moments of transition and spirituality. In Brazil, the habit of wearing white clothes was introduced by Candomblé practitioners and later spread to other religions and is a way of seeking purification and protection for the year to come.
3. dress up as a bear
In Romania, in the name of an ancient tradition, people go to the streets dressed as bears and dance on their way to the homes of friends and family. Custom guarantees that the bear costume will scare away evil and keep it out during the new year. Over there, they also usually whisper to their animals – if they respond, it’s a sign that it will be a good year. Good luck trying to convince your friends to try it this year!
4. breaking dishes
In Denmark, people keep their old dishes until the 31st of December to throw them against the doors of friends and family when the clock strikes midnight. Tradition promises to drive away evil spirits from those whose homes have been attacked with dishes.
5. eating 12 grapes
The tradition of eating twelve grapes for New Year’s dinner originates in Spain. The most common spell works as follows: you must eat the grapes at each stroke of the clock, one at a time, always making a wish. There’s no time to swallow the grapes between one chime and the next, so one’s mouth is full of grapes. So be careful not to choke. Each grape represents a month that you will attract good vibes for the year to begin.
6. eating round fruits
In the Philippines, the tradition is to serve only round fruits on New Year’s Eve. This is because the shape of the fruits resembles coins and, therefore, promises to bring a lot of money and prosperity for the year ahead.
7. Hanging onions on the front door
In Greece people used to hang onions on their doors on New Year’s Eve. Tradition means cleansing and rebirth. Some Greeks even wake up their relatives on the 1st by touching their heads with the onion that was left hanging during the night.
8. strolling with empty suitcases
This is for those who love to travel! In some Latin American countries, such as Ecuador and Colombia, people take to the streets on December 31st dragging empty suitcases. The custom promises to bring a new year filled with great trips.
9. throwing bread at the wall
An old – and unusual – Irish New Year’s tradition is that you have to bang pieces of bread against the wall to ward off bad luck. Some people still believe that the custom is meant to bring in a new year full of bounty and abundance.
10. toast with champagne
This article was written by Julia Tuma and edited by Marina Fornazieri. Liked this type of content? Check out Her Campus Casper Libero for more!