10 Bizarre Latino New Year's Eve Traditions
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For many Latinos, New Year's Eve is a time to observe long-running traditions, some of which may be bizarre but are actually effective, as claimed by many. While some traditions are unique to specific countries, many are celebrated by various nations, as well as by Latinos here in the United States, according to an articele by ABC News.

Here are 10 bizarre Latino New Year's Eve traditions:

1. Eating 12 Grapes

As the clock strikes twelve, people in Cuba and Spain make sure to eat 12 grapes for good luck -- one for each month of the new year.

2. Picking the Right Underwear

Most Latin Americans would agree that the undergarment you wear on New Year's Eve has a big impact on the year ahead. For instance, a yellow underwear is thought to bring good luck or fortune in the new year. The red is worn for luck in love. Meanwhile, if you're wearing a black underwear, make sure to change it before midnight because in many parts of the world, wearing black on New Year's Eve is believed to bring bad luck.

3. Walking in a Circle with a Suitcase

If you want your upcoming year to be a year of travel and adventure, walking in a circle with a suitcase -- either around your home or around the block -- is believed to bring jet-setting opportunities in the new year.

4. Burning Effigies

This tradition varies from one country to another but are believed to be cathartic and has something to do with luck. In Panama and Ecuador burning muñecos or effigies of personalities who have big impact in the society, politics, or even one's personal life throughout the previous year -- is how some signify getting rid the old. The muñecos are displayed after Christmas and then burned in a bonfire.

Meanwhile, in Paraguay and Colombia some create an effigy called the Año Nuevo, similar to muñecos which replicate a controversial person during the year, then set it afire with fireworks at midnight to ward off bad luck in the coming year.

5. Handling Some Silver

While other countries believe gold coins mean good luck, for Latinos, holding silver - may it be a coin, and jewelry or a home display at midnight is thought to bring good fortune.

6. Wearing White

For other countries, wearing all-white is like going to a Halloween party but in Brazil, dressing completely in white or even just wearing new, white underwear is a way to inspire good luck and fortune. When the clock strikes twelve, they would also jump seven waves or place flowers into the ocean.

7. Hanging a Lamb

Don't worry about butchering a living creature! A wool toy lamb on the front door is hung by people in Mexico and other Latin American countries to invite good fortune into their homes.

8. A Good Sweep

Latinos make sure to clean and sweep their home before midnight banishes all the negativity in the house and welcomes the positivity brought by the new year. It is also believed that failure to do so would make the house untidy for the rest of the year.

9. Throwing a Bucket of Water out a Window

In Cuba, throwing a bucket of water out of the door or window signifies renewal. Extra points if you have splashed on that person who slighted you in the previous year. Kidding!

10. Chilling in a Graveyard

Who says people can only celebrate in the cemetery on the day of the dead? Some people in Chile welcome the new year at the graveyard with their dearly departed.

Really bizarre right? Aside from observing New Year's Eve traditions, Latinos and other cultures around the globe may all agree that as the year comes to a close, we should observe personal rituals that allows us a smooth transition to the upcoming chapter of our life: We can take the remaining days to sort out rifts with some old foes, list our personal goals, and develop a positive outlook that would come in handy on difficult times.