Everyone rings in the new year, but festivities and customs are pretty different around the globe. Whether it's the clothing that is worn or the food that is eaten, one thing is for sure...everyone wants to bring some good luck into the next year. Let's take a look at some customs that are celebrated in other countries.
Germany - Marzipan pigs (Glucksschwein) are exchanged and eaten on New Year's Eve. This is because pigs epitomize good luck in Germany. They're traditionally exchanged with a shiny coin in their mouth.
Japan - On New Year's Eve, buckwheat soba noodles are eaten because they symbolize long life. They also believe a clean house is a must for bringing in a new start in the new year.
Southern United States - Those in the Southern states believe in eating black-eyed peas, which represent coins and wealth, as well as mustard greens which symbolize folded money.
Greece - Vassilopita, a cake which is baked with a hidden coin inside, is served on New Year's Day. The person who finds the coin in their slice is blessed in the coming year.
Brazil - For clothing, it's a custom to wear all white for New Years. A food custom is to suck on seven pomegranate seeds without swallowing them. Then you keep the pits wrapped in paper in your wallet throughout the year, which is supposed to bring financial luck all year.
Italy - It's customary to serve spicy sausage and lentils on New Year's Eve. Pork has strong meaning, as pigs nuzzle forward, therefore eating pork represents moving forward.
Spain - It's a traditional custom to eat 12 grapes when the clock strikes 12 for the new year. One grape is eaten at each chime of the clock at 12am.