Ringing in the New Year has many traditions across the world.
Here are a few to inspire a fresh beginning–a toast to 2017!
MAKE SOME NOISE
*In ancient Thailand, guns were fired to frighten off demons.
*In China, firecrackers routed the forces of darkness.
*In the early American colonies, the sounds of pistol shots rang through the air.
*Today, Italians let their church bells peal, the Swiss beat drums, and the North Americans sound sirens and party horns to bid the old year farewell.
EAT LUCKY FOOD
Many New Year’s traditions surround food. Here are a few:
*In the southern US, black-eyed peas and pork foretell good fortune.
*Eating any ring-shaped treat (such as a donut) symbolize “coming full circle” and leads to good fortune. In Dutch homes, fritters called olie bollen are served.
*The Irish enjoy pastries called bannocks.
*The tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight comes from Spain.
*In India and Pakistan, rice promises prosperity.
*Apples dipped in honey are a Rosh Hashanah tradition.
*In Swiss homes, dollops of whipped cream, symbolizing the richness of the year to come, are dropped on the floor.
DRINK A BEVERAGE
Although the pop of a champagne cork often signals the arrival of the New Year, some countries have their own traditions.
*Wassail, the Gaelic term for “good health” is served in some parts of England.
*Traditionally, the Scots drank to each others’ prosperity with a spiced “hot pint” and offered this warm drink to neighbors along with a small gift.
*In Holland, toasts are made with hot, spiced wine.
GIVE A GIFT
New Year’s Day was once the time to swap presents.
*Gifts of gilded nuts or coins marked the start of the new year in Rome.
*Eggs, the symbol of fertility, were exchanged by the Persians.
*Early Egyptians traded earthenware flasks.
*In Scotland, coal, shortbread and silverware were traditionally exchanged for good luck.
PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD
In Scotland, the custom of first-footing is an important part of the celebration of Hogmanay, or New Year’s Eve Day.
Apparently, the first foot to cross a threshold after midnight will predict the next year’s fortune. The luckiest “first footers?” New brides, new mothers, those who are tall and dark, or anyone born on January 1.
TURN OVER A NEW LEAF
The dawn of a new year is an opportune time to take stock of your life.
*Jews who observe Rosh Hashanah make time for personal introspection and prayer, as well as visiting graves.
*Christian churches hold “watch-night” services, a custom that began in 1770 at Old St. Georges Methodist Church in Philadelphia.
*The practice of making New Year’s resolutions, said to have begun with the Babylonians as early as 2600 B.C.
For more information, check out the Farmer’s Almanac: http://www.almanac.com/content/new-year-traditions-around-world