5 Weird New Year Traditions Around the World You Never Knew Existed

Year 2016 is fast approaching, and while the saying "to each his own" is certainly applicable in the list you're about to see, it's still interesting to know some of the colorful ways people around the world celebrate the new year.

Latin America: Your underwear color determines the fate of your year ahead

The tradition is famously practiced in countries such as Mexico, Argentina and Peru. According to the Houston Press, revellers believe that the color of the underwear influences certain aspects of life, such as red underwear for luck in love or green underwear for financial prosperity.

Brazil: Honor the "Goddess of the Sea" by jumping over seven waves

Some Brazilians believe that if you jump over seven waves in the ocean when the clock strikes 12, you will be honoring Lamanjá, the "Mother of Waters" or Goddess of the Sea," and thus, will be presented with positive opportunities.

The deity, originating from religions in Africa, Candomblé and Umbanda, is believed to protect fishermen and shipwreck survivors, among others.

To complement the jumping over waves, revellers also throw offerings such as rice and jewelry into the ocean to secure the goddess' good favor.

Italy: Throw old furniture out the window

Some Italian New Year's Eve revellers believe that if you throw old furniture out the window at midnight, you let go of old ways that create negativity to make way for new positive ones. The custom is also being practiced in parts of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Spain and other cultures with strong Spanish influence: Eat 12 grapes

This tradition originated in Spain, and is now practiced in other countries with huge Spanish influence such as Mexico and the Philippines.While the clock strikes 12 times to midnight, people must eat one grape with each bell toll to bring good fortune ahead. Others believe the custom also wards off evil spirits.

Romania: Dance around while wearing a bear costume

The Romanian tradition involves people dressing in bear costumes and traveling from house to house while dancing in order to ward off evil spirits. The tradition has also gained popularity through the years.

While we're in Europe, let's head on over to Scotland, which is probably unrivalled when it comes to Hogmanay or New Year's Eve celebrations due to the sheer number of ways that it has in celebrating the new year, as seen on the Daily Record.

1.  Fireworks display
2.  New Year countdown with bells
3.  Singing the Auld Lang Syne
4.  First-Footing - Revellers step inside their neighbors and friends' houses and step out with a packet of shortbread and a bottle of whisky
5.  Toasting the new year
6.  Eating a full Scottish breakfast
7.  The Redding - Cleansing by recycling old clutter
8.  The Looney Dook - On the afternoon of the new year, some Scots bathe in the cold Firth of Forth in South Queensferry for charity