White is the traditional New Year's Eve clothing color associated with peace in Brazil.
Wearing white is especially visible at Réveillon celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, where large crowds gather on Copacabana Beach. The color is commonly interpreted as expressing peace, renewal and hopes for a harmonious year. It also creates the striking visual appearance of an almost entirely white crowd beside the ocean.
The custom has connections to Afro-Brazilian religious traditions, including practices associated with Candomblé and Umbanda, in which white clothing can have spiritual significance. Other colors may be chosen for additional wishes, such as prosperity or love, but meanings vary by person and regional custom. White clothing is therefore a widely recognized tradition, not a legal dress requirement or a universal rule followed by every Brazilian celebrant.