Twelve grapes, red panties, the house through the window and other ways to receive twelve grapes, red panties, the house through the window and other ways to receive the New Year
Take 12 grapes
Let us attract ourselves or not, peeled and without pipes or whole, at the door of the sun or at home;Aldo, Sundays, Moscatel or any other table variety, there are very few Spaniards that on December 31 do not dispatch the year with a dozen grapes.Very few, however, know why this ritual.
According to the story, this custom that has spread throughout much of the world began in Madrid at the end of the 19th century.In imitation of the French high society, the capital's bourgeoisie of the moment celebrated the last night of the year with champagne accompanied by grapes.
It was then that, to avoid street riots, the Madrid authorities forbade celebrating the new year on the street.As a protest, the Madrid began to concentrate on the Puerta del Sol at the time of the end of the year, while ate grapes like mockery towards the wealthy classes.
He agreed that on days before the New Year's Eve in 1909 a surplus of Alda Alicantinas arrived in the capital.To give him out, the fruit trees devised a unique advertising campaign that invited them to eat them at the Puerta del Sol on the end of the year, as a symbol of next good luck.
Lentils in Italy
Much older is the habit of taking a dish of the humble fabácea at twelve last night of the year.They already had it in ancient Rome, where, like now, lentils were a symbol to attract fortune the new year.His nutrient wealth has to do with it and, for some, the one that his form reminds the coins.For this reason, there is also custom in the transalpine country to give a purse full of lentils.
Leave on the plate
Together with the toasts by San Silvestre, in Germany it is customary to leave on the plate some leftovers of New Year's Eve.Tradition ensures that, in doing so, it is ensured that food, and other goods, of course, will not miss the new year.
Red intimate clothes
Also originally from Italy is the habit of getting the end of the end of the year underwear of red color.In the same way, the ancient Romans are indicated as their origin.Then they dressed completely in grana, the color of the blood, to remove wars and conflicts.Today the custom has varied: the intimate garment must be given away, it is not worth buying it, and it must be removed at the time the twelve bells give ... alone or in company, that does not change the superstition.
All with moles
In the Philippines the custom is to celebrate New Year's Eve dressed in mole clothes.From the hat to the shoes, you have to wear everything stamped with its circles, symbol of the wealth that is longed for for the New Year.The Filipinos complete the rite filling their pockets with coins or carrying bags just as full.
The house through the window
Quite the opposite that in Naples, where it is customary when they give twelve on the last night of the year throw through the window, old furniture and other belongings.With them and the noise they cause when falling, you want to move away the evils and problems of the end of the year.
Identical superstition to break dishes was practiced on December 31 in Greece and also in Denmark.Although the scrupulous respect for the neighbors that reigns in the Nordic country forces to throw the dishes, which can be with the one that has been dinner, against the ground and the doors of the house, and not through the window.The more it is destroyed, the more venturous the new year will be.
108 bells
Another class of noise, much more mystical and accompanied, announces the arrival of the New Year in Japan.It is at that time when the Buddhist temples of the country of the rising sun sound their bells on 108 occasions.Tradition ensures that the 108 mundane desires causing suffering are purified.In the Japanese houses, the Old Year's dinner has already completed, where the Soba noodles are protagonists, it is provided with the traditional Licor Dulce Amazake, all this symbol of the prosperity that you want to arrive.
A flame barrel through the streets
Something more barbara is the custom of Scotland at the end of the year of Hogmanay.Pagan superstition is related to fire as a purifying element that takes evil spirits.Although in many places the thing is limited to parades with torches and concentrations around large bonfires.In others, a barrel is set on fire that is then shot down the streets.
Ashes in the champagne
As a good cold country, Russia celebrates New Year's Eve with fire.It is customary to write on paper the wishes for the new year.After that, the paper burns and, when they give the twelve bells, the ashes are thrown into a glass of champagne that must be drink immediately.If not, you have to forget that they are fulfilled.
Burn the doll
Fire is also the protagonist of the end of the year in Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and several regions of other Latin American countries.In all it is customary.
Bathe in seven waves
The usual way to celebrate the New Year in the coastal areas of Brazil is to do it on the beach.Places like Ipanema and Copacabana are filled with people dressed in white.Midnight arrived, and while priests push small ships loaded with fruits, flowers and candles on, the crowd gets into the water and jumps seven consecutive waves.With each jump a desire is requested.
Water to all grass
If in numerous Nordic countries fire is the main protagonist on New Year's Eve, in the tropical lands it is another element: water.In Puerto Rico it is customary.With them the accumulated problems are thrown out of the house.Who gets wet by shower, receives it with gratitude, because the water washes and drags all their ills.
