2. When it comes to New Year celebration, people have
some of the strangest New Year’s traditions. Some
people throw bread, others burn scarecrows, and still
others fist fight for good luck.
3. With the arrival of a
new
year in Mexico, hopes
for better times also
arrive. In the Mexican
culture, so full of
traditions, year-
end rituals are an
important part of
popular belief for
finding love, money,
good luck and hey,
why not? –
even winning a new
car.
4. There are an endless number of rituals, perhaps one for
every Mexican family, and they’re passed on from
generation to generation.
Some rituals have religious backgrounds, like praying the
rosary, attending mass before 12o’clock and
lighting candles, but most have more to do with luck and
5.
6. Preparing and decorating the table for dinner is also a ritual-filled process. The
dinner is plentiful, with a great variety of flavors: sweet, strong, spicy
and sour…The table is arranged with the best tablecloth, the most
luxurious dishes and sparkling glasses for the midnight toast. Red and gold
predominate on the table , as well as candles at the center and floral
arrangements to attract good luck and prosperity.
Blue -brings peace
yellow -abundance
Red - passion
Green -health
white – clarity
orange -intelligence
7. At the stroke of 12 midnight, it’s customary to ring a
bell and ring it loudly. No home should be without this item
for it symbolizes the home’s joy and happiness.
While the bells are sounding, everyone eats 12 grapes —
symbolizing the wishes for each month of the New Year.
8. Mexico welcomes the New
Year by wearing colorful
underpants. They usually
wear red, yellow or other
brightly colored under-
wears past midnight to
catch good fortune for the
coming year. This also
helps them find a loving
mate. Red means an
amorous love life ahead
and yellow expresses the
desire to gain money and
wealth. The wishes of the
locals are expressed via
their underpants.
9. Talking to spirits is a part of Mexican belief. Mexicans strongly believe that
they can communicate with the souls of their dead loved ones. New Year eve
is considered the best time to communicate with the dead spirits to convey a
message or ask for guidance. And this is not done at home on individuals basis
but is practiced legally. Taos Inn, in New Mexico, e.g. offers 15 minutes session
of spiritualism and meditation in $15. Mexicans also celebrate a day, “Day of
the Dead” annually on the 2nd of November.
10. afterwards comes the hugs and kisses session with relatives and
friends, which represents love and companionship for each
other and for their loved ones.
When a couple person receives hugs and kisses; they are assured
that the year will be full of romance.
