English Learning for Curious Minds
#432 | The Most Unusual New Year's Eve Traditions
Dec 28, 2023
Explore the most unusual New Year's Eve traditions from around the world, including wearing red underwear in Italy, first footing in Scotland, dangerous furniture throwing in Johannesburg, eating grapes in Spain, ringing temple bells in Japan, and plate smashing in Denmark.
16:07
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Quick takeaways
- In Italy, it is a tradition to give red underwear as a gift on New Year's Eve, symbolizing love and passion, with its origins believed to be rooted in ancient Rome.
- In Scotland, the tradition of first footing on New Year's Eve involves the first person entering a house after midnight, and if this person is a dark-haired man, it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity, originating from Viking invasions when light-haired or red-haired men were seen as unlucky.
Deep dives
Italian Red Underwear Tradition
In Italy, it is a tradition to give red underwear as a gift on New Year's Eve. The origins of this tradition are believed to be rooted in ancient Rome, where soldiers wore red clothes to hide bloodstains. The red color symbolizes love and passion. Italians buy red underwear as gifts to give their loved ones, and it is commonly found in shops during December.
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