FX.co ★ How people celebrate New Year in different countries

Fried carp on a festive table is one of the New Year traditions in the Czech Republic. The fish is grown up in special ponds and then sold in big wooden tubs on streets and squares. They say, carp is the main symbol of well-being. To have money in the coming year you need to put the scales of eaten carp in your purse.

One of the key attributes of Christmas in Spain is the state lottery which takes place from 22nd December 1812. This day the Spanish spend several hours behind TV or radio. El Gordo is one of the biggest lotteries in the world to attract the luck for the next year.

Several days before Christmas the French establish a nativity scene in a drawing room corner. The Christmas tree is decorated with stars, lights and tinsel. Mistletoe is one more important traditional holiday decoration. Its branches are hung over the door to bring good luck in the coming year.

In Italy people eat twelve berries of grapes each of which accounts for one wish. Another curious tradition is to wear red underwear for good luck on holiday. In Naples people exchange figs wrapped in laurel leaves for the new year to be sweet and good. Gifts for kiddies are brought by fairy Befana.

During the period called Sviatki the Belarusians walk and sing folk songs. The Guide and the Goat are the main characters among singing people. The Goat wears a fur coat or a casing, inside-out, and paper goat's head or horns. The Guide with beard and staff is leading her. The company goes from house to house, singing songs and carols, and as a reward receives sweets and gifts.

Christmas in Israel is one of the most unique holidays. Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) is celebrated from September to October in honor of the creation of the world. This day people are to eat honey to bring happiness in the coming year. On the first day of Rosh Hashanah a special ritual (Tashlikh)is performed, when the faithful gather near any natural body of water, read the sacred texts and pray.

Songkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated for three days in April. In this most important holiday for the country people are purified with water, that is just to pour over each other in large quantities. This ritual is sacred and allows to wash away sins. In addition to water procedures, white talcum powder is thrown on the streets in large quantities.

New Year in Vietnam (Tet Nguyen Dan) is a state holiday. It is celebrated for three days. At this time the streets are full with people selling not Christmas trees, but fruit trees, that are symbols of happiness, peace, good luck and prosperity.

New Year in China (Chunjie) is also called the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. It lasts for the first 15 days of the Chinese lunar calendar. The traditional symbol of New Year in China is a bell the ringing of which will help to protect the house from misfortune and bring good luck.