221 Curious Customs Practices and Traditions Around the World

Love Spoons are a romantic pre-proposal custom in Wales. Do you know: If the lady rejects the proposal, she has to return the wooden spoon to the man. A wonderful and romantic custom of the Welsh, this tradition requires the man to propose his lady love by presenting her with a beautifully carved wooden spoon, […]

Padlocks attached to a bridge have become a custom in Rome, Italy. Do you know: While this romantic gesture is quite popular among lovers, it has created a controversy and become an environmental hazard. Highly inspired by a book entitled, ‘I Want You, by Federico Moccia,’ people from far and near come to the Ponte

Graveside Wedding is a popular custom in Moscow, Russia. Do you know: While a Graveside Wedding is popular, it couldn’t be just any graveyard but one specific one. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Moscow is a popular place for weddings in Russia. The bride and the groom along with all their families and

The Tree-Marrying Custom is found predominantly among the Hindu population, specifically in India. Do you know: This custom has found its way into the minds of the highly educated and rich too. According to the custom, if a girl is born ‘manglik’, meaning she was born when both Mars and Saturn were under the seventh

Celebrating Valentine’s Day throughout the year is a romantic custom in South Korea. Do you know: On the actual Valentine’s Day, it is the girls who give their to-be husbands gifts and chocolates. In South Korea, the 14th of every month of the year is celebrated in some form or the other. While 14th February

The Bridesmaids play an important role at weddings, in China. Do you know: Very often, the task of harassing the groom is not single-handedly taken by the bridesmaids. The groomsmen are also guilty of harassing their friend. As a measure of love and proof that the groom does truly love their friend, the bridesmaids create

Cutting a chicken is a popular custom amongst the Daur people of China. Do you know: Sometimes many a chicken might have to be killed before the couple finds the ‘right one’. For the Daur people, it is customary for the bride and the groom to cut a chicken (rather than a cake) and inspect

In Fiji, it is a custom for a man to give the lady an unusual proposal gift. Do you know: In most cases, if the man does not find the wedding gift, he must wait to ask for his bride’s hand in marriage, until he finds one. The wedding custom in Fiji dictates that a

The Sapporo Snow Festival is a festival held in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Do you know: The festival began in 1950, when some school students displayed snow sculptures at OdoriPark. The festival in today’s day and age has become a wintertime wonderland for millions of spectators from all over the world. Sculptures, made of snow and

Holi is a festival celebrated amongst the Hindu population and is most prevalent in India. Do you know:Holi received its name as the ‘Festival of colours’ after Lord Krishna, who was known to play the pranks on village girls by drenching them with water and colours. Holi is a festival that not only marks the

The Foot Binding custom has been banned recently, but existed for a large part of China’s history. Do you know: Girls at a young age and even very often toddlers, were subject to this custom. The Foot Binding started as early as 700 AD in China, where small feet were considered a sign of beauty

There is a custom in Japan where children are asked to Hold their Stomachs or Belly Buttons when during a storm. Do you know: According to Japanese customs, the god of Thunder and Storms is said to sleep in the Belly Buttons of children. This custom evolved from stories where Raijin, the god of Thunder,

Pointing with the Thumb is a general custom in Indonesia. Do you know: People in Indonesia consider it rude and impolite to point with the index finger. The members of both the Hindu and the Muslim faith in Indonesia, consider greeting or using the left hand for social custom unclean and improper. More importantly, if

Krampusnacht or Krampus Night iscustom in many parts of Europe. Do you know: According to folklore,while Saint Nicholas would reward the good, Krampus would come to punish the misbehaved. Krampusnacht is the evening of December 5, a day before the Feast of Saint Nicholas, when a horned half-goat, half-demon figure is said to roam the

The Battle of Oranges is actually a festival that takes place in Ivrea, Northern Italy. Do you know: This festival started out of a historical story where a miller’s daughter defended her dignity against an evil duke. As the story goes, the townspeople stormed the Duke’s palace and burned it down. The participants are divided