THE stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve isn’t just about belting “Auld Lang Syne” with a glass of champagne in hand. Countries across the globe have their own unique ways of celebrating the fresh start. Scotland In Scotland, a celebration called Hogmanay takes place, which involves jumping into a freezing river, and swinging fireballs over head. There’s also a more comfortable tradition known as “First Footing,” where revelers bring treats to their neighbors after midnight. It’s considered good luck if the first person to enter your home is a strapping, dark-haired man with whiskey to share. This is presumably a nod to the Viking days when it was considered the opposite of lucky if a tall blonde stranger came to your home wielding a sword. Romania Romanians in the Moldova region have an annual festival between Christmas and New Year’s where they dance around wearing real bearskins. The dancing is supposed to scare away any bad energy that might follow them into the next year. Colombia Colombians yearning to travel run around their houses carrying empty luggage at midnight hoping the symbolic gesture will bring a future trip. Greece In Greece, onions are hung on doors to bring blessings in the coming year. The vegetable supposedly symbolizes growth and rebirth, and is also believed to cast away bad energy. England Yorkshire, England started the custom of shouting “Black rabbits, black rabbits, black rabbits” in the final seconds of the year to wish away bad juju. Then, people shout “White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits” as soon as midnight hits to bring on the good vibes. Spain The Spanish have been eating 12 lucky grapes in the first 12 seconds of New Year’s Day for over a century. The grapes symbolize 12 lucky months ahead. According to legend, Spanish winemakers started this tradition to increase grape sales in winter. Portugal The singing doesn’t stop at Christmas. There are New Year’s carolers in Portugal called Janeiras who walk through the streets belting traditional songs. They also offer warm wishes for the new year to everyone who walks by. Ecuador Hiding money around the house is believed to bring good fortune in the coming year. Philippines In the Philippines, folks turn all their lights on as the clock strikes midnight to ensure that the coming year will be bright. Japan Buddhist temples all over Japan rings their bells 108 times at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s. The ringing is a symbolic purging of the 108 sins that are part of Buddhist beliefs. Some temples invite people to come ring the bells for them. Chile Residents in the town of Talca ring in the new year by spending the night in a cemetery. Families set up chairs next to the graves of their loved ones to celebrate the holiday by acknowledging how valuable life is. Finland In Finland, small tin horseshoes are melted down and poured into a bucket of cold water. The shape the metal hardens into acts as your fortune. If it resembles a horse or boat, you will be traveling in the coming year. A ring shape means there will be a wedding. A broken ring symbolizes heartbreak, while a star will bring good fortune. Guatemala Guatemalans hoping for wealth in the new year toss 12 pennies behind their backs into the street when midnight strikes. The pennies represent each calendar month. Estonia Foodies should spend New Year’s in Estonia where it’s customary to eat a lucky number of seven, nine, or 12 meals throughout the day to ensure strength in the coming year. Ireland Banging bread against the wall of your home in Ireland is supposed to bring good luck. It also means that food will be plentiful in the coming year. Russia One popular Russian New Year’s tradition is to write down a wish, burn it, put the ashes in a glass of champagne, and drink up. Participants have to finish their drink before the clock turns 12:01 or else the wish won’t come true. Switzerland Switzerland’s Villars-sur-Ollon holds an annual New Year’s Eve bike race that begins at the top of Roc d’Orsay. The event draws cyclists from all around and prize money is awarded to those who make it down the mountain the fastest. Belgium Children in Belgium write letters to their parents and godparents on New Year’s Eve to wish them good fortune. These notes, often decorated with ribbons, are read aloud at the stroke of midnight. Brazil Brazilians like to take it to the water. There’s an annual tradition of jumping over seven waves (considered a lucky number) and making seven wishes for the new year. Italy Midnight kissing is taken up a notch in Venice, Italy where a kissathon is held in St. Mark’s Square. The event attracts around 70,000 people every year. (SD-Agencies) | 