20 Global Rituals of Gratitude That Inspire Awe

Kupu is a Hawaiian tradition where individuals express gratitude for the blessings of nature and community. The ritual involves giving thanks for the earth’s resources and honoring the spirits of ancestors. It is often marked by offerings of flowers, chants, and prayers to maintain a harmonious relationship with the environment and one’s ancestors.

Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, observed annually by millions of devotees across India. The night of fasting, chanting, and praying is a way to express gratitude for Lord Shiva’s protection and blessings. It is a deeply spiritual ritual, often spent in temples or homes, with devotees seeking the divine’s blessings for health, prosperity, and peace.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time for reflection, repentance, and thanksgiving. Jews celebrate the new year with prayers, a festive meal, and the ritual of dipping apples in honey to symbolize a sweet year ahead. It’s a time to offer gratitude for the gift of life and for the chance to start anew.

Baisakhi is an important festival for Sikhs and Hindus in northern India, especially in Punjab. It marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a time for thanksgiving. In Sikhism, it also commemorates the formation of the Khalsa. Devotees visit Gurudwaras (Sikh temples) for prayers and give thanks for their spiritual and material blessings.

Pongal is a Tamil harvest festival celebrated in southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. It is a four-day celebration that honors the Sun God and the natural forces that make the harvest possible. On the first day, families prepare and offer the dish known as Pongal, a sweet rice dish, to express their thanks for the year’s harvest and to ask for continued prosperity.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that honors deceased loved ones. It is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, when families create altars with offerings such as food, flowers, and candles. The ritual is a way to express gratitude for the lives of ancestors and to welcome their spirits back for a brief time. It is a celebration of life, death, and everything in between.

The Fête de la Musique, celebrated on June 21st, is an annual music festival held across France and in many countries around the world. It’s a time for people to show gratitude for music and the joy it brings to their lives. Musicians of all levels perform in streets, parks, and public spaces, creating a festive atmosphere that celebrates both musical talent and community spirit.

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African-American culture and heritage, observed from December 26th to January 1st. Each day is dedicated to one of the seven principles, including umoja (unity) and kujichagulia (self-determination). The holiday centers around expressing gratitude for community, family, and heritage, culminating in a feast and a sharing of gifts.

Midsummer is a beloved Swedish tradition celebrated on the summer solstice. People gather to dance around the maypole, sing songs, and enjoy a feast of traditional foods like herring and new potatoes. It’s a celebration of the abundance of summer and a time to give thanks for the warmth and beauty of nature.

ANZAC Day, celebrated on April 25th, honors the men and women who served and sacrificed during the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I, as well as all military personnel. The day begins with dawn services across Australia and New Zealand, where people express gratitude for the freedoms they enjoy and the sacrifices made by those who fought for them.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for Jews. It is a time for introspection, seeking forgiveness, and expressing gratitude for the past year. The day is spent in fasting, prayer, and reflection, culminating in the "Ne'ilah" prayer at sunset, where people offer thanks for their lives and the opportunity for renewal.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in Islam. It is a celebration of gratitude for the strength to complete the fast and a time to share with others. The holiday begins with a special prayer at the mosque, followed by the giving of zakat al-fitr (charitable donations) to ensure that those less fortunate can join in the feast. It is a time for Muslims to give thanks to Allah for his blessings and to strengthen bonds of community

Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, is an ancient Incan celebration held in Peru every June. The festival honors Inti, the Sun God, and expresses gratitude for the sun’s warmth and the earth’s fertility. The ritual includes traditional dances, music, and offerings, as well as reenactments of the Incan Empire’s royal ceremonies. It’s a powerful reminder of the relationship between humanity and the natural world.

Makar Sankranti is a major Hindu festival celebrated in January, marking the transition of the sun into Capricorn. It is a time of thanksgiving for the harvest, with people flying colorful kites, enjoying special foods like sesame sweets, and giving thanks for the bounty of the earth. In many regions of India, it’s also a time for people to visit temples and offer prayers of gratitude for the year's blessings.

In Ghana, the Harvest Festival is a vibrant celebration of the bountiful harvest and a time to give thanks for the blessings of the land. People gather to share food, music, and dance. Offerings are made to the gods to thank them for providing sustenance and to ask for continued blessings in the future.

New Year’s Day in Japan, known as Oshogatsu, is a time to show gratitude to ancestors and to pray for good fortune in the coming year. Many people visit shrines and temples to give thanks, clean their homes to prepare for new beginnings, and enjoy meals of symbolic foods. The ritual of "osechi" cooking, which includes a variety of foods meant to bring good luck, is an important part of the celebration.

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is celebrated by Chinese communities and other East Asian cultures, including in Vietnam and Korea. The holiday marks the arrival of spring and a new year on the lunar calendar. People show gratitude for their ancestors and the blessings they have received, with offerings of food and incense. Families reunite, exchange gifts, and honor spirits to ensure prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead.

Songkran marks the traditional Thai New Year, celebrated in April. The festival involves water fights, as well as the ritual of "water pouring" on Buddha statues and elders as a sign of respect and gratitude. The water symbolizes purification and the washing away of misfortune from the past year, allowing for a fresh start. Families gather to honor their ancestors and express gratitude for their elders.

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu, Sikh, and Jain celebration, observed across India and in several other parts of the world. Families decorate their homes with oil lamps and candles to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness. Diwali is a time to give thanks for prosperity, health, and the blessings of the divine, as well as to honor the gods and ancestors through prayers, offerings, and feasts.

Thanksgiving is celebrated in the U.S. and Canada, though on different dates. In the U.S., it is observed on the fourth Thursday of November, while in Canada, it falls on the second Monday in October. The holiday centers around family gatherings, feasts, and giving thanks for the harvest and the preceding year’s blessings. Parades, volunteer activities, and community events also play a part in the widespread expression of gratitude.