What New Year's Eve tradition involves jumping seven waves in Brazil?

Brazilian New Year's Eve tradition includes jumping seven waves for luck and blessings.

At coastal celebrations, especially those influenced by Afro-Brazilian religious traditions, people may enter the sea and jump over seven waves after midnight. Each wave is associated with a request or wish, and the number seven has spiritual significance in the ritual. The practice is particularly visible during Brazil's large beach Réveillon gatherings.

Some participants also wear white, offer flowers to Iemanjá, or make other gestures connected with renewal and protection. These customs are not identical for every Brazilian family or religious community, and many people celebrate without entering the water. The seven-wave practice should also be distinguished from the Twelve Grapes tradition of Spain: both are New Year's luck customs, but they use different numbers, actions, and cultural settings.