1.Throwing Plates and Dishes to Bring Good Luck
Smashing plates as a way to ring in the New Year? It might sound like a scene from a chaotic dinner party, but in Denmark, this tradition is a cherished ritual of goodwill. Every year on New Year’s Eve, Danish families and friends take their old, unwanted dishes and hurl them against the doors of loved ones. The belief? The more broken porcelain you find on your doorstep, the more luck and friendship you’ll have in the coming year. It’s essentially a loud, messy popularity contest—one where shattered plates symbolize strong social bonds and a fresh start.
This custom has deep cultural roots. Historically, Danes saw the act of breaking plates as a way to “smash” bad luck and misfortune from the old year, making room for prosperity and happiness in the new one. The tradition is somewhat reminiscent of Greek plate smashing, though in Denmark, the shards are left overnight as a testament to one’s social standing. While still practiced in many Danish households, urban areas have seen a decline, as neighbors don’t always appreciate waking up to a street full of broken crockery. Even so, for those who keep the tradition alive, there’s no better way to welcome the new year than with a little joyful destruction.
2.Jumping Off Chairs at Midnight to Ward Off Evil Spirits
In Denmark, celebrating the New Year often involves an unusual yet symbolic tradition: jumping off chairs at the stroke of midnight. This quirky custom is more than just an act of excitement—it is deeply rooted in the belief that leaping into the new year can drive away bad luck and evil spirits. The higher the jump, the better the fortune, according to Danish superstition. Missing the jump? Well, that might mean carrying last year’s misfortunes into the next.
This tradition is part of Denmark’s broader New Year’s Eve celebrations, which include fireworks, festive gatherings, and smashing plates on friends’ doorsteps as a sign of affection. The act of jumping, however, takes on a more personal and symbolic meaning. It represents a fresh start, a literal and figurative leap into new opportunities.
Interestingly, Denmark is not alone in using physical movement as a way to attract good luck. In Brazil, for instance, people head to the beach to jump over seven waves at midnight, making a wish with each one. These rituals reflect a universal human desire to mark transitions with symbolic gestures—whether through food, fire, or, in this case, a well-timed jump.
3.Burning Scarecrows to Banish the Past Year’s Misfortunes
Few traditions capture the spirit of renewal quite like Ecuador’s Año Viejo ritual. As the old year winds down, Ecuadorians craft large scarecrow-like effigies, known as monigotes, to symbolically represent the past year’s misfortunes. These figures, often stuffed with sawdust, paper, or even small fireworks, are designed to embody everything people wish to leave behind—whether personal struggles, political grievances, or societal frustrations. In a playful twist, some monigotes take the form of well-known politicians, celebrities, or fictional characters, turning the ritual into a mix of catharsis and social commentary.
As midnight approaches on New Year’s Eve, families and entire neighborhoods gather in the streets, ready for the dramatic finale. When the clock strikes twelve, the monigotes are set ablaze, their flames consuming the burdens of the past year. Some participants even jump over the burning remains three times—once for luck, once for love, and once for prosperity in the coming year. In certain regions, men dress as the “widows” of the burned effigies, humorously mourning their symbolic losses while asking passersby for small change.
This fiery farewell to the past isn’t just about spectacle—it’s a deeply ingrained cultural practice that allows people to purge negativity and start fresh. By watching their troubles go up in smoke, Ecuadorians embrace the new year with a sense of renewal, optimism, and collective joy.
4.Eating Exactly 12 Grapes at Midnight for Prosperity
At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, millions of people in Spain and Latin America partake in a peculiar yet deeply ingrained tradition: eating twelve grapes in rapid succession—one for each chime of the clock. Known as las doce uvas de la suerte (the twelve lucky grapes), this ritual is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity for all twelve months of the coming year. But where did this practice originate?
Historical records suggest that the tradition dates back to at least the early 20th century. One widely accepted theory points to Spanish grape farmers in Alicante who, in 1909, found themselves with an overabundance of grapes. In a clever marketing move, they promoted the idea that eating twelve grapes at midnight would ensure a lucky and prosperous new year. The custom quickly caught on and has since become a staple of Spanish and Latin American New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Successfully consuming all twelve grapes within the twelve chimes is thought to secure a year of prosperity, but the task is trickier than it seems—especially when the grapes have seeds. In modern times, many people opt for seedless or pre-peeled grapes to improve their chances. The tradition has also spread beyond Spain, with countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina embracing the ritual as part of their own New Year’s festivities.
5.Carrying an Empty Suitcase Around the Block for Travel Luck
In Colombia and several Latin American countries, an unusual yet hopeful New Year’s Eve tradition involves taking an empty suitcase for a brisk walk around the block at midnight. The idea is simple but deeply symbolic: by carrying an unfilled suitcase, participants are manifesting their desire for a year filled with travel and adventure. The more distance covered during this midnight ritual, the greater the possibility of exciting journeys in the coming year—or so the belief goes.
This custom is particularly popular in Colombia, where travel is often associated with personal growth and prosperity. However, variations of the tradition exist in other countries as well. In Ecuador, some people enhance the ritual by placing specific items inside the suitcase—such as clothing or souvenirs—to represent the destinations they hope to visit. Meanwhile, in Mexico and parts of South America, participants may even dress in travel attire to further solidify their intentions.
Beyond its superstitious charm, this practice reflects a universal human longing for exploration and new experiences. Whether or not it truly influences travel opportunities, the ritual serves as a fun and lighthearted way to step into the new year with optimism, embracing the unknown with open arms—and an empty suitcase.
