As days go by, we're all counting down to the start of 2018, preparing for the big night of New Year’s Eve. But have you ever thought, that the way people celebrate this special night, can differ from place to place?

 Let’s find out more about the most popular traditions of some countries, when it comes to welcoming the new year.

Japan

Photo Credit: Redd Angelo

On New Year's Eve in Japan, Buddhist temple bells are struck 108 times. According to Buddhism, people have 108 kinds of earthly temptations and desires and they can only get rid of them by ringing a bell. 

By the 108 bell rings of the temple bell, these desires are driven away from human beings, and they can welcome the new year completely refreshed. So, no matter where you are in Japan, when the clock passes midnight, you will hear the bells ringing.

Colombia

Photo Credits: Pixabay

According to the Colombian tradition, if you want more money to come your way with the new year, then you should definitely wear some bright yellow underwear. For the Colombians, yellow represents gold and money, and this meaning is also behind the yellow part in their flag. Another way to ensure that you will not run out of money this new year, is to hold money in your hands the moment the bell strikes twelve.

Brazil

Photo Credits: Priscilla Du Preez

In Brazilian culture, white is a colour that represents peace and happiness and all Brazilians are expected to wear white clothes in order to welcome the New Year, but it is not mandatory. 

Different colours represent different things, like orange for success, blue for harmony, yellow for prosperity, red and pink for romance, purple for inspiration, and green for health. You can also wear them underneath your white clothes, for your New Year’s resolutions.

Spain

Photo Credit: Roberta Sorge

Las doce uvas de la suerte, "The twelve grapes of luck" is a Spanish New Year’s Eve tradition, which is celebrated by eating 12 grapes at each chime of the clock as it strikes midnight. Traditionally you follow the sound of the bells of the clock from Puerta del Sol in Madrid and in other town squares around the country. Eating the grapes in this way, can be quite amusing because you start the New Year with your mouth full! 

For most people, it’s really impossible to finish eating all 12 grapes by the time the clock strikes twelve, so everybody starts laughing at each other when they see that most of them are still trying to fit all the grapes in their mouths. If you succeed though, then you will have 12 months of good luck.

Russia

Photo Credit: Eugene Shelestov

In Russia, on New Year’s Eve, it’s a tradition for people to write their wishes down on a piece of paper, then burn it with a candle, and mix the ashes in a champagne glass. They then drink the champagne at the stroke of midnight! The idea behind this custom, according to the Russians, is that any wish made on this specific night, would surely come true.