Preparing for New Year’s Eve

Brazilians enjoy Christmas, especially the time spent with family, but they may love one day at the end of the year even more. New Year’s Eve, which is one of the most important holidays here. In addition to the joyous celebrations, it has a very important symbolic meaning for Brazilians. It’s no wonder that preparations take place several days in advance.

A cleansing of home and mind

New Year’s Eve preparations usually start with cleaning the home. Brazilians do not do this out of a need to keep their homes excessively tidy, but rather out of the symbolic importance of cleansing. According to their thinking, the arrangement of things in the house and in the mind are closely related. When they get rid of things that are old or no longer serve their purpose, they lighten their home, which gains positive energy. They are saying that the year is ending and they need to open themselves up to new things and opportunities. At the same time, they think about what they want to leave behind in the past year and what they don’t want to continue to carry with them as an unnecessary burden and hindrance. Brazilians thus see New Year’s Eve as a mental reboot.

White clothes and the power of colour

Positivity and purity are also captured by the colour white. In fact, Brazilians traditionally wear white clothing during New Year’s Eve celebrations, which represents not only purity but also peace, harmony and a fresh start. A few days before the event, shops are filled with white shirts, dresses, flowy trousers or various summer ensembles. However, Brazilians love colour, so they often choose colourful accessories. However, colours carry a certain symbolism. Green brings health, yellow abundance, orange motivation, blue peace, purple creativity or red love.

Food as a symbol of prosperity

The planning also includes a New Year’s Eve dinner, which is not at all ordinary. Its composition varies by region, but it tends to include fish and seafood, as well as lentils, rice and tropical fruit. Brazilians buy these foods in advance and in a hurry, as the shops are crowded at the end of the year.

Flowers, candles and the sea

Brazil has an extensive coastline, so preparations are often linked to the ocean. These are traditional spiritual practices as offerings are prepared for the goddess Iemanjá, who is the protector of the oceans. The preparations are mainly white flowers, candles, various small objects or plant leaves. It is common for people to take a long time to choose their clothes, as this moment has a deep meaning for them.

The choice of place and expectations

An essential part of the preparations is the choice of where the New Year’s Eve celebrations will take place. There are plenty of options, whether it’s spending time in the comfort of your home, on the beach, at parties in cities or at private parties. Brazilians tend to plan everything in detail, even going home, as traffic is usually congested during this night. At the same time, they also prepare in their minds, believing that if they go into the celebrations with a good mood, they will continue to do so the following year.

New Year’s Eve is more than a party

When the word New Year’s Eve is uttered, mostly everyone associates it with exuberant celebrations. For Brazilians, however, it’s a little different. While they love to party, they also see the day as a spiritual cleansing and a symbolic transition to a new beginning.