Category: New Year Traditions

Like all other places in the world, New Year is widely celebrated in Spain with great zeal and enthusiasm. It is celebrated there as “Nochevieja” whose literal meaning is “old night” and lots of Spanish traditions are associated with it.

Most of the Spanish like to spend the New Year eve and the New Year day with their family members and close friends.

It is also a common sight among the youngsters as well. There is a very interesting tradition followed among the Spanish during the New Year-eating 12 grapes. These grapes are eaten at every stroke of the clock as it strikes 12 on the New Year eve.

Each grape is meant for each of the 12 months and traditionally it is believed that eating grapes at the beginning of the year brings good luck and prosperity for all 12 months. It was first started by the King of Spain and is still widely followed among the conservative Spanish families. People who gather at the world famous New Year event held at, Puerta del Sol in Madrid before the countdown begins, also follow the traditions.

New year celebrations for the Spaniards have no meaning if it is not spent with family. Elders in the home traditionally prepare a special round ring shaped cake which is cut exactly at 12’o clock in the presence of all family members and friends. The round ring shape is given as it symbolizes good luck. The striking feature of the cake is that the cook, while preparing it, puts some small gifts and good luck charms inside it. While eating the cake, whoever gets these goodies, is sure to have a good luck throughout the year.
 

 
Fireworks form an integral part of a traditional New Year celebration. They are considered to be important as loud noise and sound of the bursting crackers drive away the evil spirits and leaves space for holiness and good luck. In many Spanish Families it is customary to dance and sing loudly to welcome the New Year with a bang. The reason remains the same-discarding the evil for the good.

During the party all the participants wear bright colored dresses as those welcome good luck and bright future. These parties serve enormous food and drinks like the traditional lemon sorbet or Rioja Wine Sorbet but the special toasting is raised with the sparkling Cava-the very famous Spanish champagne. People dance, shout, sing and greet each other with kisses and hugs-just to make the arrival of the New Year a grand occasion.

A very funny yet significant customs prevails among the Spanish during New Year- wearing red colored innerwear. Red for them is a symbol of good luck and prosperity; hence they put it to embrace both. But one cannot purchase it for himself or herself, the red innerwear must be gifted by someone else. Isn’t that interesting? Indeed- it is.

Traditionally many Spanish inhabitants eat chocolates or biscuits at the early Morning of the New Year day just to signify they had a wonderful celebration last night.

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The first date of the Georgian calendar, i.e. January 1st, marks the arrival of the moment of New Year for the people of Slovakia. Slovakia, which is located in the Central European region, celebrates its New Year with lot of fervor and liveliness.

People refer New Year’s Eve as Silvester, which is the term taken from the Slovak calendar. According to Slovakian tradition and Slovakian calendar, December 31st or the last day of the year is associated with men with the name of ‘Silvester’.

New Year Celebrations in Slovakia

New Year celebrations in Slovakia prominently revolve around having a special New Year’s Eve dinner at a fine restaurant and hotel, with close friends and members of the family. Some others prefer to plan a short trip to the mountains during the time. Then, there are many who wish to have quiet New Year celebrations at their home. They either choose to organize a special feast inclusive of special dishes and wine, with all close friends and members of extended family invited, or they choose to simply eat, sit, and watch special New Year shows telecasted on television late at that night.

Usually, at the time of the midnight, people prefer to move out of their homes over to the streets or to famous party places to be a part of social celebrations. Also, people preferably move out to locations or city squares from where they can have a precise view of the astonishing fireworks show to be set off at midnight to welcome the New Year. As soon as the moment of New Year arrives at twelve, everyone irrespective of the place they are, whether streets, home, hotels, restaurants, or concerts, raise a toast to cheerfully mark their grand welcome to the New Year.

Traditional New Year Celebrations in Slovakia

Apart from the standard New Year celebrations, there are some interesting customs and traditions, followed by the native of Slovakia while celebrating New Year. Most of these traditions are quite funny, and thus add an additional amusing angle to the entire New Year celebrations time. Masks and parades are intrinsic part of the New Year celebrations in Slovakia, as a part of which processions go through different streets. People participating in these parades wear amusing masks and dresses, and sing, dance, and clap through the entire procession. They also make visits to each and every house, where people pleasurably serve them with foods and drinks. In some of the processions, people move along with wooden swords in a closed chain, which commemorates for the ancient sword dance which is considered as a symbol of the eternal cycle of life.

There is another tradition of making loud noises while welcoming the New Year. Usually, people in Slovakia make use of wooden ratchet or rehtacka, which comes in different sizes. These instruments are used to blow loud and clanging noises. These noises along with the noises as created out of the fireworks show are traditionally considered to sway away all evil spirits and negative energies of the past, and ensure a positive start to the New Year.

The ancient tradition of Lead Pouring or Das Bleigieen is also prominently followed in Slovakia during New Year’s time. As a part of this tradition, a small amount of lead is taken to be melted in a tablespoon with the help of a candle flame. The melted lead is then poured in a bowl of water. Then, predictions are made for the coming year on the basis of the different shapes formed by the molten lead in the bowl of water. Each of the shapesis predefined and is considered as a symbol of a particular trait. For instance, a molten lead forming a shape of a ball suggests good luck in the coming year, a shape of an anchor suggests help or need, a shape of a cross suggests death, etc.

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Different parts of the world celebrate New Year in a different way, in some countries; the time of celebration also differs. New Year in Sinhalese or Sri Lanka, popularly called Aluth Avurudhu, is observed on the 13th and 14^th of April every year.

It is a solar festival that begins as the Sun enters to the zodiac of Aries or Mesha. Interestingly this celebration takes place at the spring and mother Nature showers all her blessings to the Sinhalese during the period, signifying the beginning of the New and the end of the old.

A number of customs and traditional beliefs are associated with the New year celebrations in the country. The Sinhalese are influenced by astrological faiths and perform several religious practices during this time. In villages, several women gather and play drums to announce the advent of the New Year.

The customs begin with Nonagathe that starts few hours before the New Year rolls in and you are supposed to perform the rituals with a pure mind. People visit to temples, donate food and clothes to the poor and pray for a prosperous year ahead. Traditionally, people take the Holy Bath before the sun sets on the last day, with the herbal mixture called “Nanu” replacing the soap. They believe that this purifies their bodies as well as the soul and they are able to welcome the New Year with an auspicious mind.

Many Sinhalese clean their houses before the New year comes just to wash away the evils of the previous year. after completion, the holy Saffron water is sprinkled in the house for purification. “Kolam” or special decorative designs are drawn with white rice flour or coconut for auspicious reasons. Among the other customs people light fires, and prepare the traditional milk rice for family members. Milk is considered to be auspicious for them and brings prosperity if spills over the pot.

The housewives cook traditional meals like hath maluwa or a curry with 7 different flavors. Several sweets are prepared for the entire family. the head of the household prepares the traditional pot with 5 mango leaves and one coconut, popularly known as the “mangalam kumbam”. All the members of the family have lunch together to celebrate the arrival of the New year. they eat the traditional food like small oil cakes called kaung or crispy light sweetmeats called the kokis.

The young members touch the feet of the elders to seek blessings. They also offer betel to the elders to show their gratitude and respect towards them. some local Srilankans play games called “Guddu” with friends and family members as a part of the tradition of bringing good luck. It is considered to be the best time to start off with a new business as well as wedding ceremonies. People also follow the tradition of gifting clothes to the loved ones as a token of love and affection. These customs seem to have glued the people belonging to the Sinhalese community together promoting harmony and brotherhood.

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The exquisite Singapore celebrates New Year with lot of grandeur, splendor, and enthusiasm. All the major celebrations as made in and around the time of New Year are in accordance to the Chinese traditions and customs.

On the basis of the traditional lunar calendar, an extended fifteen days of revels go on to celebrate the time of New Year. New Year is considered as amongst the major festivals of the nation, and thus, people in Singapore do more than enough to reflect the same in their celebrations.

New Year Celebrations in Singapore

The entire skyline of Singapore as well as streets of Singapore are illuminated with colorful lights in such a wonderful way that it seems that it have been taken directly out of an artist’s creative mind. Also, roads are lighted up with fancy blistering lights. All small and big markets and malls are also decorated, usually with flowers and cottons, to reflect the essence of New Year festival and to draw more and more people during the time. Shopkeepers put attractive gift items on display, including toys, flowers, clothes, firecrackers, etc. it is necessarily required to have a plum tree among the range of gifts, as a plum tree is considered as a perfect gift to be given to anyone on the occasion of New Year.

Several parties are organized all over the Singapore, giving adequate options to everyone to choose according to one’s preference. The major parties are hosted by The Jewel Box on Mount Faber, Mardi gras at Clark Quay, and Havana Bill at Indo Chine Waterfront.

The Siloso Splash party and Cirque Aquatique Ball are other great party options, much because of the great music and fine food they serve. This party begins on New Year’s Eve and goes ion till the early hours of the New Year.

One partying at The Sky Symphony countdown can witness an amazing light show at midnight. Then, there is a Three Marina Bay which is organized with a theme of ‘A Wish for a Better Tomorrow’. Acting on its theme, this event saw people writing down their wishes for the New Year on a piece of paper, which is then wavered over the bell charms. It also have an amazing fireworks display at midnight.

Various other events which saw thousands and more in numbers include Chun Jei festivities, and Chingay Parade of Dreams, other than the countdown parties organized at various places in Singapore. New Year is also a good time to make a visit to Chinatown, the shopping hub for the Chinese in Singapore. It has around 500 stalls are set up to offer various kinds of products including traditional food dishes, beautiful and vibrant flowers, various sweet meats, and the traditional Chinese New Year ornaments.

Traditional New Year Celebrations in Singapore

There is a tradition of organizing feasts during the time of New Year, in which all friends and members of the family are invited to be a part of the mutual celebration. There is another tradition which is referred as Chun Jei, for which preparations begin a month before the day of New Year. The tradition of Chun Jei calls everyone to develop positive hopes for the future, and abandoning all negativities, troubles, miseries, and failures of the past in the past itself. Significant amount of importance is given to a belief that one should look forward to give a new and positive start with the initiation of New Year, and that will lead to wealth, prosperity, peace, and healthiness in the coming time.

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Scottish New Year is also known as Hogmanay. It signifies the last day of a year and at the same time, the celebrations of New Year.

The celebrations start on December 31 evening and last until the daybreak of January 1. A number of customs are associated with Scottish New Year or Hogmanay. Some of the most sought Scottish New Year traditions are, ‘First Footing’, ‘the Bell’, and ‘redding’.

Scottish New Year Customs

The Bells: ‘The Bells’ is one of the primary New Year customs in Scotland. The first New Year stroke of Chime is called The Bells. People sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ together while holding hands. After ‘the bells’, people visit the places of their near and dear ones. People gift whisky bottles to each other as the New Year spirit. This spirit is placed by the fireplace or on the bookshelf. The New Year spirit is opened at midnight. People wish each other happy New Year with the Hogmanay toasts.

First Footing: It is observed at the midnight. In this custom, people try to become the first person to knock at a friend or neighbor’s door and give him/her a customary gift such as salt, shortbread, whisky, coal, black bun etc. It is considered the fate-deciding factor for the New Year, as all the aforementioned items refer to different lucky charms. However, giving salt as a New Year gift has become obsolete these days. Handsome men are preferred to do the custom, according to a popular myth. All the abovementioned objects are presented to the family and friends in order to bring good luck and keep away the evil spirits. If guest visits, the Scottish people present food and drinks to the guests.

Redding: It is one of the most important Scottish New Year traditions. Scottish families spend the New Year eve together. They start preparing for the grand event by cleaning their houses and other belongings. It is said that a clean and tidy home can welcome the good spirits of the New Year in the best way. Special attention is given to the fireplaces. The fireplaces should be cleaned and polished. According to a popular Mexican custom, some people read the ashes of the last fire, in order to know their destiny for the next year. The entire custom of preparing the home for New Year celebrations is called ‘redding’ in Scotland.

There are a number of things, which the Scottish families do to bring good luck. According to Scottish New Year traditions, people think that debts bring bad luck, so they clear all debts before New Year eve. They place Rowan trees at the entrance of their houses. They place a piece of mistletoe in the house, which is thought to bring good health for the family. Hazel and yew are kept to bring magical power and protection respectively. Juniper is burnt in the house and all the doors and windows are kept opened during the process. It is said that burning juniper can bring a fresh air into the house. Some pieces of holly are also placed inside the house in order to keep away the evil spirits.

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Soviet Union is not untouched by the customs of any festivals. Explore the Russian New Year traditions and know about the beautiful rituals and customs practiced by their families.

From decorations, cuisines, entertainment and celebration methods – there is lot more to discover about Russian culture and traditions.

Unlike, any other countries Russia celebrates New Year on January 1. The Russian New Year is calculated based on the Gregorian calendar. But, earlier the New Year was observed in the month of September. Later, this practice was changed in the year 1699, after the Czar Peter read about the counting of years from Birth of Christ. Since then, New Year is declared public holiday and is celebrated with great joy.

The most traditional New Year celebration is held in Kremlin. More than, 50,000 people gather for the festivities and the tickets are sold weeks before the annual event. Russian meal comprises of meat and potatoes. People arrange feasts and visit people to enjoy New Year with all their loved ones.

There are many popular Russian New Year traditions and among them the most famous custom is associated with the New Year tree. This tree is called ‘Novogodnaya Yolka’ which is decorated like Christmas tree. The tree is adorned with different sweets and is topped with bright star. From December onwards the homes are decorated with fir trees. These are kept till January 14th.

The festival preparations start from mid December and the streets are decorated with toys, posters, flags, garlands and lights. The electric garlands are the latest decorative articles you can find during Russian New Year celebrations. With the change in the style of decor people have started decorating the stores with ice sculptures, snowmen and Father Frost figures.

In Soviet Union, Grandfather Frost replaces Santa. Grand Frost is also known as Ded Moroz and he is accompanied by a fairy who is his granddaughter, Snegurochka (Snow Maiden). She helps Frost in distributing the sweets and toys to the kids.

Grand father frost resembles the Santa Claus with big tummy and white beard. This character carries bag of toys and distributes it to all the children on the New Year eve. This is one of the beliefs in Russia. The only difference is that Santa wear red and Frost wears blue.

Among all the other customs one of the very famous beliefs is Russian make wish on the New Year Eve. The Russians feel if, any wish is made on this eve it would be surely fulfilled. For this people wait for the clock to struck 12. They write their desires on paper and burn it on candle. Then this ash is mixed in glass of champagne and consumed by them. This is associated with famous wish making Russian New Year traditions.

With the change in time and way of celebrations, people have altered everything. But there are many families who have retained their customs and stick to their roots of tradition and culture. Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous New Year! Hope you enjoyed getting information on the Russian tradition during New Year.

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Traditional Roman New Year was observed in March and was known by the name of Kalends or Calends. The festivities that ran for three days saw the eradication of social status or any kind of social discrimination, and gave people the freedom to enjoy the days as is.

To mark this, it was the custom for employers to often eat together with their employees during this time. It was also a custom to take gifts for the Emperor to wish him good luck for the upcoming year. Homes and other prominent places were decorated with lights, plants and other ornamental stuff. However, since the traditional Roman calendar was being changed time and again as per the whims and wills of the Roman Emperors, the need was felt to synchronize the calendar with the solar one.

As such in the year 153 BC the Senate declared that January 1 would be celebrated as the first day of the New Year. However, even this did not prevent the Emperors from working on their whims in changing the calendars. This trend continued till the year 46 BC when Julius Caesar established the calendar system which is now known by the name of Julian calendar, which again established January 1 as the first day of the New Year.

Modern Day New Year Celebrations:

Rome is full of breathtaking and renowned monuments of historic important. These provide splendid backdrops for beautiful lighting, music and fireworks that set the mood for welcoming New Year in Rome. Many visitors from all over the world throng Rome during this time of the year for experiencing the rich culture and heritage that the country can so proudly boast of.

Locals and tourists come together and jointly give a warm welcome to the New Year. People crowd around the landmark places like the Colosseum, Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo or the Spanish Steps to mark the countdown to a brand New Year and also to experience the spectacular fireworks that create a medley of lights and colors in the night sky just as the clock strikes twelve. People often take a walk down the Via della Conciliazione to the St. Peter’s Square to enjoy live music and traditional food. Many of these historical places have rock or classical music concerts live for the occasion. The beautiful Churches display attractive traditional nativity scenes. Circus performers keep the crowd entertained.

Apart from these modern celebrations that mark the transition from one year to the next, there are other forms of traditional rituals to mark the occasion. They are –

Offerings to the Deity Janus:

For the Romans, the month of January is associated with the Deity Janus. This two faced deity is believed to represent change and new beginnings. The picture of Janus is represented as a two faced person who is looking back at the bygone, and also ahead for the upcoming. This to the Romans is the symbolic transition from the old year to the new one. People make offering to Janus on this day to pray for an overall good New Year.

Positive acts for an auspicious future:

Just like most other people round the world Romans too believe that the beginning of a New Year is the time to do way with all the ills and establish all that is good for the upcoming months. It is the time to reconcile any differences, suspend litigations and exchange gifts. Priests would bless with mistletoes for charms. Making a resolution for the New Year is also a part in the attempt to turn the New Year into a better one.

Taking Gifts for people who are influential in administration:

In ancient times it was the custom for the Roman citizens to take gifts for the Emperor on the occasion of the New Year to wish him luck, prosperity and happiness. Initially these gifts were simple ones like branches of palm leaves or a twig of bay. But as time progresses, it often became the custom to gift expensive presents. Apart from flowers and fruits, beautiful fabrics and even jewels were gifted. People also extended this gifting tradition to include the Senators, especially if they were expecting any favor from any of them. Presents of eggs were also a part of the tradition. Since eggs hatch and bring new life, there were thought of symbolizing the running over of a new leaf.

Working at least partially on the New Year’s Day:

Traditionally, the Romans believed that the first day of the New Year was indicative of the way the rest of the upcoming New Year would shape up for them. As such, although they did not want to compromise on the celebration part in any way, they do not abstain from working all day either. It is a common tradition in Rome to at least work partially on the New Year’s Day to ensure that there is work or gainful engagement for them all the year round.

First Footing:

First Footing is a common custom that is adhered to in many countries in Europe including Rome to welcome the New Year. It is considered to be a good omen for a tall dark haired person to enter the house first carrying gifts that have symbolic significance. A fair haired man coming to the household during that time is believed to bring bad luck stemming out of the negative feelings that were created about blonde stranger during the times of the Vikings. It is often acceptable for the First Footer to be a resident of the house, but in that case the person should not be in the house when the clock strikes twelve. The person is also supposed to bring along gifts that are symbolic. A silver coin symbolizes prosperity, bread ensures food for the family all the year round, salt keeps the year full of flavor, coal symbolizes warmth and whiskey represents cheer. These are all that a person generally would want for the family in the New Year.

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Romania, a country located in the intersection of the Central and Southeastern Europe, celebrates its New Year on January 1.

New Year Day is also referred as St. Vasile’s Day in Romania. All the people in Romania put in dedicated efforts to give a positive start to the New Year, which they hope to be good and positive for them too. While preparing for New Year celebrations, special consideration is put to have all traditions and customs well in their place.

Traditional New Year Celebrations in Romania

Interestingly, most of the traditions followed by the people of Romania during New Year time have some or the other connection with destiny factor. Also, many of them conclude at drawing predictions for the future, and thus many people fascinatingly become a part of those traditions out of their desire to get aware of their fate in the coming year. Also, Romanians see New Year as a time when they should be passing on their ancient traditions, cultures, customs, and heritage to the future generation. These are the factors that define the rigorous following of traditions by the Romanians during New Year’s time.

Prominent New Year Traditions in Romania

There is a prominently followed tradition of ‘Sorcova’, as a part of which small children decorate a small branch or stick with vibrant artificial flowers of different colors. Then the adorned stick is frivolously touch to the elders of the house in a pattern while congratulating them with best luck wishes and success for New Year as well as wishing them with a long and healthy life in the coming time. One can hear them, ringing bells and creating sounds of bull. There is also a conventional tradition of tossing coins in water on the morning of New Year. It is done with a belief that it will bring in enough wealth and prosperity in the entire following year. There is a tradition of keeping lamps alit on New Year’s Eve till the dawn of the New Year’s Day, as it is considered to confer them with a sunny New Year morning and rich harvests in the entire coming year.

Weather Predictions on New Year in Romania

As a part of another tradition, peasants make predictions for the weather in the coming year on the basis of large onion peels. This tradition, which is observed on the midnight of the New Year, have peasants taking unpeeling off the onion petal by petal, with each one being associated with one month of the following year. While doing so, they also put some salt over the onion petals. Then, a person with efficiency in witchcraft or magic charms check each of the unpeeled petals to check the level of liquid left in each of them by the melted salt. On the basis of that evaluation, weather for the different months of the coming year is predicted.

Vergel New Year Tradition in Romania

There is another tradition, which is rather slightly amusing with its aspects. The tradition, which is called as Vergel involves young unmarried people and their parents. As a part of this tradition, predictions are made for the young unmarried people regarding their partner in the coming year, and their chances of getting hitched in the coming time.
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During the initial times in the history of Romans, New Year was used to be celebrated in the month of March according to Georgian calendar. At that time, it was used to be referred as the festival of Calends or Kalends.

As a part of the New Year celebrations made during that time, people used to wish one another by gifting branches of trees. For the fact, the gift giving culture on New Year among the Romans began with that tradition.

Later, Romans started celebrating New Year in the month of January, which is also referred as Janus, which is also the name of a God. Among Romans, Janus is considered as the God of the gates, doors, beginnings, and positive initiations. He is also believed to be a two faced God, one at the front, and other at the back. Later, another tradition of gifting gold nuts or coins, with the images of Lord Janus over it, initiated to be followed on the occasion of New Year.

Romans have an extended three days of celebrations for New Year. As a part of New Year celebration made among Romans, they beautifully decorate their houses with greenery and fancy lights. Also, grand feasts are organized in the houses, where close friends and members of the family are cordially invited to have mutual New Year celebrations. They gather at one place; eat, drink, cheer, and dance together; and celebrate the essence of New Year by giving a grand farewell to the past time of the Old Year, and a splendid welcome to the New Year.

The Gift Giving Tradition

Special consideration, efforts, and detailing go in while selecting New Year gifts for them. One ensures to select a gift which symbolizes for good luck. Sweets or honey are chosen as gifts to symbolize for one’s wishes of sweetness and peace in the coming time, gold or silver are chosen as gifts to symbolize for one’s wishes of wealth and prosperity in the coming time, and lamps and lights are chosen as gifts to symbolize for one’s wishes for light and optimism in the coming time. Eggs are counted as the tradition gifts symbolizing for fruitfulness in the coming time.

There is a tradition as a part of which people congregate and go to emperor’s place to confer him with gifts and good luck wishes for the New Year. In the present time, the tradition has been taken up for politicians. However, it is not necessarily followed by everyone among Romans. However, first footing is a prominent and widely followed tradition among Romans. As a part of first footing tradition, the first person which enters a house in New Year is considered to be the decisive factor for the luck in the coming year. While a long, dark haired, and preferably a young man is considered to arrive with good luck for the coming time, a woman, a blonde, or a red haired person is considered to represent for bad luck for the house in the New Year to arrive.
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Portugal, the country located in the southwestern part of Europe, celebrates its New Year according to Georgian calendar on the date of January 1.

New Year Celebrations in Portugal

People in Portugal love to spend their New Year time, either by spending it with their near and dear ones at house parties, or by being a part of social parties organized at various night clubs, pubs, and discotheques.

Street parties have people singing, dancing, and cheering every moment of the passing Old Year. Many of such parties have Janeiras, or New Year’s carolers, who sing traditional songs all through their procession going through the Portugal streets, and wish everyone who passes by with the best New Year wishes.

Madeira hosts the grandest and the most astounding Portugal party. Apart from the great music, dance, food, and drinks served there, it offers an astonishing light, laser, and color shows. With that, the sky over the entire island seems to get covered up with beautiful lighting and vivid colors, which is visible from far off points of the ocean.

With the arrival of the New Year moment, everyone whistle, cheer out loud, raise a toast or two, and hug and kiss everyone present around. Almost every town has some sort of fireworks show, either on a big scale or small scale. Setting off firecrackers is done with a belief that noise and fire sways all bad times of the past away to fill the coming time with positivity, peace, and happiness.

Traditional New Year Celebrations in Portugal

There is a tradition of eating twelve raisins by everyone. Each raisin is considered represent a month of the coming year, and while eating each raisin, one has to make a wish for that month.

The arrival of the moment of New Year is celebrated by putting down a toast of champagne down the throat. There is another tradition of baking King Cake or Bolo-Rei, which is eaten in between the Christmas Day of December 25th and King’s Day or Dia de Reis of January 6th.

However, very few people are aware of its true recipe, and therefore, they prefer to buy it from Confeitaria Nacional located in the capital city of Lisbon. Also, one more dish with the name of Caldo Verde e Brao or green broth and corn bread are eaten as a part of traditional New Year celebrations.

There are few other traditions such as keeping some money in the pocket which symbolizes for a wealthy year ahead, wearing blue slippers or panties or boxers which symbolizes for good luck and harmony in the coming year, putting the right foot first while getting down from a chair which symbolizes for optimism in the coming year, and hitting pots and pans loudly which symbolizes for swaying away all evil spirits and negative energies of the past.

On the morning of the New Year’s Day, small children gather at one place, and make a visit to all the houses of the neighborhood while singing special New Year songs, or old songs of Janeiro’s. This is considered to bestow everyone with good luck. As a mark of their love for children, people in turn gift them sweets and coins. Kissing one’s partner on the midnight of New Year is another Portuguese tradition, very elegantly followed by everyone, and is done with a belief that their love and relationship will grow to a more stable state in the coming year.

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