Global New Year Traditions: From Grapes to Graves, How Cultures Celebrate Fresh Starts

• Spain's 12 grapes at midnight symbolize good fortune for each month of the coming year.
• Ireland's tradition of banging bread against doors wards off bad spirits and invites prosperity.
• Italy's lentils represent wealth and abundance; the Philippines uses polka dots and round objects for luck.
• Japan's Joya no Kane involves ringing temple bells 108 times for purification and release of desires.
• Russia's burnt paper wish in champagne and Chile's cemetery visits reflect unique hopes and remembrance.

Why It Matters: New Year traditions globally reflect diverse hopes, beliefs, and remembrance for fresh beginnings.