Brazil
In this sultry South American country, there is an unusual tradition of appeasing spirits. As a rule, gifts are presented to the lady and Lady Iemange, whom the locals relate to the Virgin Mary in Christianity. It is customary to sacrifice to the goddess – usually it is a candle or flowers, necessarily white. In rare cases, it may be something else. On New Year's Eve, Brazilians come to the ocean shore and bring a wooden raft with an offering, light a fire, make a wish and release the victim into the world ocean. Also in the New Year, office workers turn the streets of Brazil into white, paper roads. It is important to throw old documents out of the window so that the working year ends faster and a new one begins. This symbolizes the goals set for the coming year.