New Year Traditions Around the World, Auld Lang Syne, January's Roman Origins, & the Polar Bear Plunge

New Year Traditions Around the World

🇧🇷 Brazil: Going to the beach while wearing white

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland: First footing involves having a tall, dark-haired male carrying items (coal, shortbread, salt, black bun and whiskey) take the first step into your home.

🇯🇵 Japan: Buddhist temples ring bells 108 times on New Year’s Eve to remove each of the “108 earthly desires”. This event is called “Joya no Kane”.

🇵🇭 Philippines: Households find 12 round fruits for each month of the year, fill pockets with coins, and wear polka dots for good luck.

🇪🇸 Spain: Eating/popping 12 large green grapes in their mouth for good luck for the year ahead.

Auld Lang Syne

The tradition of singing "Auld Lang Syne" on New Year's Eve, written by poet Robert Burns, symbolizes bidding farewell to the old year, with the title meaning "times gone by" in Scottish.

January Named After Janus

The month of January derives its name from Janus, the Roman god of doors and gates, who had two faces, representing a symbolic reflection on the past year and anticipation of the future.

Polar Bear Plunge

Braving icy waters in a symbolic gesture, some welcome the new year with a Polar Bear Plunge. This daring tradition, happening globally, not only signifies a bold start to the year but often raises funds for charitable causes.

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