Adeus Ano Velho… Feliz Ano Novo…

que tudo se realize no ano que vai nascer…

muito dinheiro no bolso, saúde pra dar e vender!

David Nasser e Francisco Alves

After five years living abroad, I’ve realized that this time of year is when I miss the most my country, the indescribable feeling of Saudade. Christmas is OK, it even matches winter and cold, but New Year’s eve … no way … it has a totally different feeling and joy when you are in the southern hemisphere … it seems that you have a lot more desire to party, to have a beer, to pop a sparkling wine and jump in the sea with your clothes on. \0/

The Brazilians who are reading this post, will agree with me. I have yet to find a nation that is more superstitious and full of rituals, than Brazilians preceding the turn of the year. Hahaha … I doubt that! Today in this post I want to introduce to those interested in the Brazilian culture, some of our traditions and rituals for New Year’s eve … regardless of where you are, those deep-rooted traditions seem impossible to leave behind. ;)

Get ready for the New Year!

• Dressing in white: White is the symbol of peace and purity, we dress in white with the intention of receiving the New Year conveying these feelings. Some people prefer to wear clothes of other colors,  but always according to what such color represents.
• Colorful underwear: Like with the clothes, we choose a color for the underwear which represents our greatest and most intimate desire for the coming year.
  • White: a peaceful year
  • Yellow: money and wealth
  • Rose: happiness in love
  • Red: a passionate year, sex
  • Blue: peace of mind and tranquility
  • Green: hope, balance and health
  • Black: wisdom and self-confidence
• New clothes: you must wear at least two new pieces of clothing. One of them must be your underwear.
• Lentils: the tradition says that lentils bring wealth and abundance, so it is served at dinner and you should store some raw lentil grains in your wallet.
• DON’T eat poultry meat: we don’t eat any kind of poultry meat at the New Year’s eve dinner, as birds usually scratch backwards … if you choose to eat any meat, prefer pork as they root and push forward.
• Jump 7 sea waves: Whoever can, always tries to spend New Year’s eve in a coastal city, to greet Iemanjá the Queen of the Sea. But why seven? Seven is a number considered quite spiritual, besides representing Exu, son of Iemanjá. Therefore, when you jump the 7 waves at sea, you invoke Iemanjá’s powers to open paths for next year.
• Sparkling wine or champagne: pop the wine bottle exactly at midnight to toast and welcome the arrival of the New Year.
• Kiss: In the first few seconds of the New Year you should kiss who is by your side, as a gesture of greeting to the New Year. <3
• Watch the fireworks: a great tradition in several cities in Brazil, the most famous being in Rio de Janeiro, which lasts 15 minutes.

Well guys, that I remember those are the most traditional… to this list we can still add the traditions of each region of Brazil, which as you know is a huge country. Some of these traditions are very silly and without much sense … but who am I to judge? I’m also part of this madness … hahahaha

By the way, I have to go and buy my new panties … I’ll try to find a rainbow one … as I want all the colors for 2017.: D

That’s it people, have fun no matter where you are, celebrate with great joy and surrounded by people you care. May the year 2017 be full of happiness, accomplishments and all the good things that life has for us.

Open your arms and welcome the New Year. Happy New Year!

See you next year! ;)