Celebrating tradition

Here’s a look at some of the New Year Day traditions from across the world.

As the world wakes up to a brand new year, quirky family traditions, age-old customs and resolutions of a better tomorrow abound. Here’s a look at some of the New Year Day traditions from across the world:

HT Image

* According to British folklore, the first person to set foot in the house on New Year’s Day will bring prosperity to the home that year.

* In Poland, New Year’s Day is celebrated as the day that marked the victory of heaven over a dragon called Leviathan.

* In the US and Canada, it is tradition to consume black-eyed peas and hog jowls or ham on the first day of the new year as it brings good luck and prosperity. (Cabbage leaves and rice are other options)

* In Russia, the New Year is called Novy God and celebrations are a lot like Christmas. Fir trees are decorated like Christmas Trees and it is believed that Grandfather Frost, Ded Moroz, (God of Cold) and his granddaughter Snegurochka, comes and leave presents under the tree.