NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

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New York

NEW YORK NEW YEAR

Every year as the clock nears midnight on December 31st, the

eyes of the world turn once more to the dazzling lights and bustling

energy of Times Square. Anticipation runs high. New Year's Eve at

the symbolic center of New York City has become more than just a

celebration - it's a global tradition.

The world holds its breath...and cheers as the clocks strike twelve.

As the famous New Year's Eve Ball descends from the flagpole

atop One Times Square, an estimated one million people in Times

Square, millions nationwide and over a billion watching throughout

the world are united in bidding a collective farewell to the departing

year, and expressing our joy and hope for the year ahead. http

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A N O B J E C T D R O P P E D O R R A I S E D O N N E W Y E A R ' S E V E R E F E R S T O T H E B A L L W H I C H R E A C H E S T H E B O T T O M O R T O P O F A L I G H T E D T O W E R A T

M I D N I G H T . T H E A R R I V A L O F T H E B A L L L A U N C H E S A D I S P L A Y O F F I R E W O R K S . T H E S P E C I A L E F F E C T O F T H E B A L L D R O P I S D E S I G N E D

L I K E T H E T I M E B A L L S U S E D I N T H E 1 9 T H C E N T U R Y .H T T P : / / E N . W I K I P E D I A . O R G / W I K I / L I S T _ O F _ O B J E C T S _ D R O P P E D _ O N _ N E W _ YE A R % 2 7 S _ E V E

Kissing after the ball dropping

                                 

 

The Times Square Ball.

H T T P : / / W W W . N Y T I M E S . C O M / S L I D E S H O W / 2 0 0 8 / 1 2 / 2 9 / O P I N I O N / 2 0 0 9 0 1 0 1 - N E W Y E A R S _ 1 1 . H T M L

In Britain and Ireland, the first person to cross the

threshold on New Year's Day is considered to be a

harbinger of the household's luck for the year.

Tradition holds that the "first foot" should belong to

a tall, healthy, strapping dark-haired man, carrying

symbols of abundance for the home: coal for the fire,

bread for the table and whiskey for the head of the

household.

In many cultures, fireworks are a symbol of light in

the new year. While they are restricted the rest of

the year in Iceland, on New Year's Eve anyone and

everyone can light the explosives.

Colombians and other South Americans who would

like to travel in the coming 12 months walk around

their house with a suitcase.

A tradition that began in Spain has been adopted

in many Spanish-speaking countries: people eat one

grape for every stroke of the clock at midnight,

symbolizing luck for each month of the year.

On New Year's Day in parts of Switzerland, people

allow a drop of cream to hit the floor, to ensure

overflowing abundance in the coming year.

At midnight, the Danes make a wish as they jump

off chairs — literally leaping into the new year.

Many Filipinos wear new clothes with deep

pockets. They fill their pockets with coins and fresh

bills on New Year's Eve, and at midnight, they shake

them noisily to attract prosperity in the coming year.

In Ashikaga, Japan, people participate in the

Akutare Matsuri, or the Festival of Abusive

Language. They climb a hill to the 1,200-year-old

Saishoji temple while screaming curses and railing

at employers, teachers, politicians. After that

catharsis, they welcome the new year with

ceremonies in the temple to allow happiness to flow

in the coming months.

Buying and wearing new clothes, especially in red

or yellow, is a common ritual. In Venezuela, people

give each other yellow underwear to wear into the

new year for good luck.

How do you celebrate

New Year in your

country?