New Year’s Traditions Around the World
Written by El Capitan High School Leo Nicole
2020 has hurled numerous unprecedented challenges towards us, leaving a tremendous impact on all of our lives. Despite the struggle of online schooling and gathering restrictions, we, the El Capitan High School Leo Club, have sought ingenious ways to adapt and make the best of our situation. From Halloween virtual bonding nights to crafting a beautiful float for the Christmas parade, 2020 marks a year of profound memories and hope as we persevered through every obstacle.
Downtown Merced Christmas Parade 2020
As students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, we all celebrate New Year’s in our own unique traditions. Some calendars are based on the movements of the moon while others of the sun, therefore the New Year may take place on different days. Learning about the diverse cultures in our club can bring us closer together during these tough times.
American New Years
Americans typically countdown on New Years Eve while watching the “Ball Drop” in Times Square, New York. It’s a tradition to sing “Auld Lang Syne,” originally a Scottish ballad, at midnight. People also make New Year resolutions, or goals to accomplish or habits to change.
Mexican New Years
also takes place on January 1st, and large families typically gather to celebrate. One of the most popular traditions is to eat 12 grapes within 12 seconds before the year ends, and this grants 12 resolutions. Some Mexicans will wear red underwear to symbolize fortune in love and yellow underwear to symbolize happiness and wealth.
New Years in Denmark
As the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, Danish people jump from the top of a chair “into the new year,” as it brings good luck. On New Years Eve, they break old glasses and plates at their friends’ doorsteps, which measures the amounts of good fortune and friends someone has.
Chinese New Years
is based on the cycles of the moon, so the dates vary from year to year. In 2021, Chinese New Year will take place on February 12th. Decorated red envelopes with “lucky money” are given to children, dragon dance performances represent prosperity and good luck, and lighting firecrackers scare away the evil spirits from the legend of a monster called Nian. One type of traditional food are dumplings shaped like gold yuanbao which represent wealth and prosperity.
Vietnamese New Years
Similar to Chinese New Years, Vietnamese New Years is based on the lunar cycle. Families and friends gather together wearing traditional clothing and offer wishes and greetings to one another. “Lucky money” are given to children by the elders while granting wishes and advice, firecrackers are lit, dragon dances are performed, and kumquat trees represent wealth and happiness. Some traditional dishes are bánh tét and bánh chưng, rice cakes that represent the earth and sky.
Hmong New Years
occur at the end of the harvest season in the fall and festivals can last anytime between 3 days to 30 days. Festivals can have dance competitions, beauty pageants, food, music, while wearing traditional handcrafted clothing. Pov pob is a ball tossing game with women and men, friends, and it’s a great way for people to know each other. Hmong papaya salad, sticky rice, and egg rolls are only some of many traditional foods.
