participants from all religions and walks of Brazilian life began to join in the celebrations - along with the market festival, and individual traditions of offerings, there is now also a boat which goes well out into the water before loosing the gifts of the faithful into the sea.   

these yemanjá rituals, together with with the hundreds of small  sand altars, flowers planted in the sand, and the twinkling of candles all along the beach, create an unforgettable, almost surreal, atmosphere.

with flowers and gifts for yemanjá for sale by vendors on every corner during the new year's celebrations, this tradition has grown to become one of the most beautiful and cherished elements of new year's eve in rio de janeiro.