New Year in Russia it has been celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1 for more than 300 years. Until the 15th century in Rus', the New Year was celebrated on March 1, and from the 15th to the 17th century, the holiday was celebrated on September 1 according to the Julian calendar. Only in 1700, Tsar Peter I, who in many ways tried to imitate the Western way of life, issued a decree to postpone the New Year celebrations to January 1. The decree turned out to be very funny, in our modern opinion:
“Because in Russia they consider the New Year in different ways, from now on stop fooling people's heads and count the New Year everywhere from the first of January. And as a sign of a good undertaking and fun, congratulate each other on the New Year, wishing well-being in business and prosperity in the family. In honor of the New Year, make decorations from fir trees, amuse children, ride sleds from the mountains. And for adults, drunkenness and massacre should not be committed - there are enough other days for that.
Since Rus', unlike other Western European countries, had not yet switched to the Gregorian calendar in the 17th century, there was a problem: in Rus', the New Year was celebrated according to the Old Style for a long time, that is, 13 days later than all of Europe. The first "winter" New Year in 1701 was solemnly held in the old capital, Moscow, on Red Square, with a military parade and fireworks. From 1704 the official festivities were moved to the new capital, Saint Petersburg. As expected, with fun, entertainment for children, feasts and parades. As for "drunkenness and massacre", here even the Great Peter was powerless to change something. There is nothing to hide, in Rus' they always walked violently!
Although, in fairness, it must be said that the "winter" New Year in Rus' was hardly making its way. If not for the tough character of Peter, who literally forced his subjects to FUN to celebrate new holiday, if not for the ingenuity of Elizabeth I, who began to arrange magnificent masquerade balls at court and free holidays for the people, this tradition would hardly have taken root. For many years, the inhabitants of All Rus' wanted to celebrate the New Year "the old fashioned way", on September 1. Generations changed, until this now beloved holiday took its rightful place in the calendar of the most solemn dates.
It is curious that in the Petrine era, the main symbol of the New Year was not a magnificently decorated Christmas tree, but spruce or birch branches. There were no traditional New Year's toys until the 19th century either. The branches were decorated with fruits (most often, red apples), nuts, sweets, eggs. As a matter of fact, any edible things that had a rounded shape. The tradition of drinking champagne also did not exist until the middle of the 18th century: it appeared only after the defeat of the Napoleonic army, in 1813. French champagne "Madame Clicquot" has since become an invariable attribute of New Year's festivities. And now it is drunk with pleasure by those who can afford such a luxury.
In the 19th century, the New Year becomes one of the most beloved and long-awaited holidays. Throughout the country, magnificent mass celebrations, balls, feasts (always with fried pigs and radishes), and public Christmas trees are organized. Another unchanging symbol of the New Year appears - Santa Claus. True, while his popularity is not so great, and his constant companion, the granddaughter of the Snow Maiden, also does not accompany him yet.
Since 1918, Russia has switched to the Gregorian calendar. This means that the people of the country start celebrating the New Year 13 days earlier. True, after the revolution, difficult times come for this wonderful holiday. Already in 1919, the new government canceled celebrations for both the New Year and Christmas. Until 1935, January 1 was officially considered a normal working day. Although many secretly continued to celebrate their favorite holiday.
Beginning in 1935, the New Year in Russia gets a second life. Gradually, those traditions that we all appreciate and love so much are returning: be sure to decorate the Christmas tree, drink champagne, lay a magnificent table, give gifts to each other. A new tasty custom also arises: to cook Olivier salad for the New Year, however, not with hazel grouse, as was customary among the French, but with ordinary boiled sausage. It was during these years that the Soviet New Year acquires two more main symbols, Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden.
New Year's celebrations take center stage on the calendar these days. This is the main holiday of millions of people. This is a holiday that has gone through a lot, has a rich history and traditions, has seen both good and bad, was banned and reborn from the ashes. A holiday that, despite all the trials, has managed to maintain its charm and appeal over the centuries. A holiday that will live as long as we and our Earth exist.
New Year- a holiday celebrated by many nations in accordance with the accepted calendar, coming at the time of transition from the last day of the year to the first day of the next year. The custom of celebrating the New Year already existed in ancient Mesopotamia, presumably in the third millennium BC. The beginning of the year on January 1 was established by the Roman ruler Julius Caesar in 46 BC. In ancient Rome, this day was dedicated Janus - the god of choice, doors and all beginnings. The month of January got its name in honor of the god Janus, who was depicted with two faces: one looked forward and the other looked back.
Statue of Janus in the Vatican
Most countries celebrate the New Year on January 1, the first day of the Gregorian calendar year. New Year celebrations, taking into account standard time, always begin in the Pacific Ocean on the islands Kiribati. The last to see off the old year are the inhabitants of the islands midway in the Pacific Ocean. Some countries, such as China, celebrate the New Year according to the lunar calendar.
As already mentioned, not all nations have a New Year's holiday on January 1st. So jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah(chapter of the year) is celebrated 163 days after Passover(not earlier than September 5 and not later than October 5). On this day, a ten-day period of spiritual self-deepening and repentance begins. The next 10 days until Judgment Day ( Yom Kippur) are called "days of teshuva" ("return" - meaning return to God). They are also called "days of remorse" or "days of trembling." It is believed that on Rosh Hashanah the fate of a person is decided for the year ahead. On the Judgment Day following the holiday, Jews greet each other with a wish: “ May you be written and subscribed for a good year in the Book of Life!". Believers dress in bright clothes. During the festive meal, it is customary to dip challah or an apple in honey.
Festive table served with traditional dishes on Rosh Hashanah
The traditional Chinese New Year coincides with the winter new moon at the end of the full lunar cycle, which took place after the winter solstice (that is, on the second new moon after December 21). In the Gregorian calendar, this corresponds to one of the days between January 21st and February 21st. The Chinese New Year, which after 1911 in literal translation is called the “Spring Festival”, has long been the main and longest holiday in China and other countries of East Asia. In the north of the country on New Year's Eve ( Tet) a peach blossom branch is planted in the house, or the house is decorated with tangerine trees hung with orange fruits, symbolizing prosperity. During this period, peach and apricot trees, tangerines and almonds bloom. The streets are decorated with young flowering branches and simply bouquets of flowers. In the south of the country, on Tet, they prefer to decorate their house with a blossoming apricot branch, and the apricot flowers should have five petals. In addition, the southerners put watermelons on the altar, the red sweet pulp of which symbolizes good luck in the coming year.
In the evening, on New Year's Eve, mass dragon dances take place, in which all people, regardless of wealth, take part. The most magnificent processions and spectacular events are held at night. At dusk, fires are lit in parks, gardens or on the streets. Several families gather around each fire.
Until the 15th century in Rus', the new year began not from January, as it is now, but from March 1 (as in republican Ancient Rome) (in some varieties of the calendar, around this date, possibly on the next full moon), or from September 1, as in Byzantium , according to the Julian calendar. Since the 15th century, September 1 has become the predominant date for the New Year. Information about the celebration of the New Year appears from the end of the 15th century. The Paris Dictionary of the Muscovites (XVI century) retained the Russian name for the New Year's holiday: First day of the year . Since 1700, by decree of Peter I, the New Year in Russia is celebrated, as in other European countries, on January 1 (according to the Julian calendar). Since 1897, January 1 has become a non-working day in Russia. Since 1919, the New Year holiday in Russia began to be celebrated in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. From 1930 to 1947, January 1 in the USSR was an ordinary working day, and since 1947 it has again become a holiday and a day off.
Soviet postage stamp
New Year's Eve is a very important holiday in many countries. And it is accompanied by a variety of variety events, a feast, folk festivals. According to tradition, a Christmas tree is set up in the house. In many countries, it is placed at Christmas and is called the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is dressed up and decorated with various toys.
Of course, the New Year's holiday cannot do without a fairy-tale (folklore) character. In the Christian world, it is recognized as such Santa Claus(eng. Santa Claus) - a Christmas grandfather who gives gifts to children on Christmas. And, although he is directly related only to the Christmas holidays, his presence on New Year's Eve has also become a tradition. The name Santa Claus is a corruption of the Dutch name Saint Nicholas whose memorial day is December 6th.
Santa Claus
In Russia, the fairy-tale character of East Slavic folklore is Father Frost. In Slavic mythology - the personification of winter frosts, a blacksmith who binds water. The collective image of Santa Claus is based on the hagiography of St. Nicholas, as well as descriptions of ancient Slavic deities Pozvizda, Zimnik And Korochuna. On New Year's Eve, Santa Claus gives gifts to children, which he brings in a bag behind his back. Often depicted in a blue, silver or red fur coat, embroidered with patterns, in a hat, with a long white beard and a staff in his hand, in felt boots. He rides a troika of horses, skis or walks.
New Year is the most beautiful and most beloved holiday for each of us. How did the tradition of celebrating it originate and how is it celebrated in different countries? We want to talk about all this in our article.
The history of the New Year is rooted in ancient times. This holiday is now celebrated by people according to the modern calendar. This happens at the moment the last day of the year leaves and the first day of the new year begins. An interesting fact is that the custom to celebrate NG was already in the 3rd millennium BC in Ancient Mesopotamia. The date of the first New Year was set by Julius Caesar. It was he who chose the day from which all other days were counted. The event took place in 46 BC. e. This date was the first day of January. By the way, the month of January got its name in honor of the god Janus.
Most people celebrate NY on the first of January, because this day is the first in the Gregorian calendar. If we take into account standard time, then the inhabitants of the little-known islands of Kiribati, located in the Pacific Ocean, are the first to begin to celebrate. And the last one always begins to celebrate Midway Island, in the Pacific Ocean. But some countries celebrate the holiday, such as the Chinese, according to the lunar calendar.
The Jewish Rosh Hashanah comes 163 days after Passover. It is believed that this day decides human fate for the whole next year. But the Chinese New Year is associated with the winter new moon. According to the Gregorian calendar, this date falls between January 21 and February 21. Chinese New Year since 1911 is the most significant holiday in China and other Eastern countries. Moreover, in translation, its name sounds like “Spring Festival”. At this time, blossoming peach branches are placed in vases in houses or the rooms are decorated with tangerine trees hung with fruits.
The history of the emergence of the New Year in Rus' is one of the most controversial points in science. The origins of the holiday should be sought in the era of ancient times. Until now, no answer has been found to the question of when the New Year was celebrated and from what moment the time was counted. In ancient times, many peoples associated the beginning of the year with the period of the rebirth of nature. Basically, the beginning of the year was timed to March.
In Rus' for a long time there was a span - this is March, April and March. It is believed that, most likely, NG was celebrated on March 22, on the day of the vernal equinox. It turns out that Maslenitsa and NG were celebrated on the same day, because with the departure of winter, a new countdown began.
The situation changed with the advent of Christianity in Rus'. After this event, a new chronology appeared, which is repelled from the creation of the world. In its turn, new calendar was called Julian. The names of the months were fixed in it. And the first of March began to count the new year.
At the end of the fifteenth century, the Orthodox Church moved the date of the beginning of the year to the first of September, in accordance with the Council of Nicaea. Such changes were associated with the growing influence of the Christian Church on the life of Rus' at that time. The reform of the calendar was carried out without any consideration of the rhythm of the working life of ordinary people, without its connection with agricultural planting and work. NG in September was justified by biblical stories. And so it happened that the beginning of the year fell on the first of September. This date began to be celebrated as the day of Simeon - the period of the end of summer and the beginning of a new year.
Peter I in 1699 carried out a reform. A decree was issued that the beginning of the year should be considered the first of January. This was done in accordance with how all Christian nations lived, using the Gregorian calendar. However, Peter I failed to completely switch to the Gregorian calendar, since the church used, as before, the Julian one. And yet in Russia the chronology was changed. If earlier it was led from the creation of the world, then later it was led from the Nativity of Christ. In fairness, it is worth noting that for a long time both reckonings existed in parallel. The decree of Peter I allowed the use of two dates in documents for convenience.
The innovations of Peter I were of extraordinary importance. The king completely banned any celebration of the first of September. He strictly watched to ensure that NG in Russia was no poorer and no worse than in European countries. Since then, New Year's traditions began to appear. Interesting facts about the New Year are recorded even in Petrovsky decrees. The king ordered trees and gates of houses to be decorated with pine and juniper branches along the large streets. The decree did not talk about a Christmas tree, it was said in general about trees. But the beginning of the appearance of the main symbol of the New Year was already laid. Trees were originally decorated with fruits, nuts, sweets and even vegetables. But they began to decorate the Christmas tree for the New Year much later - in the middle of the last century.
Thanks to innovations, January 1, 1700 began with a colorful procession on Red Square in Moscow. And in the evening the sky was painted with colorful fireworks. It was from 1700 that New Year's fun gained universal recognition. And the very celebration of the New Year began to bear a universal national character, and not a church one. In honor of such a day, cannons were fired, and in the evenings they traditionally admired beautiful fireworks. People danced, sang, congratulated each other and gave gifts. We don’t even know many interesting facts about the New Year, because we don’t even think about the fact that the history of the holiday has such long and deep roots.
After the 1917 revolution, the government raised the question of the need to reform the calendar. Indeed, at that time, most of the European countries switched to using the Gregorian calendar, which was adopted by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. Russia at that time still used the Julian calendar. This is how the phenomenon of the Old and New Years appeared in Russia - another interesting fact about the New Year.
The very name of the holiday already speaks of the connection with the old calendar style, according to which Russia lived until 1918. The country switched to a new style by decree of Lenin. The old style is nothing more than the ancient Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar. The new style is a reformed version of the old calendar. The changes were implemented at the initiative of Pope Gregory XIII. The reform was needed because of the astronomical inaccuracies of the calendar, which accumulated over the years and gave decent deviations from the true movement of the luminary. Therefore, we can say that the Gregorian reform was scientifically justified. In the twentieth century, the difference between styles was thirteen days.
This means that the day, which according to the old calendar was considered the first of January, in fact, has already become the fourteenth of January. It turns out that in pre-revolutionary times, the night from January 13 to 14 was New Year's Eve. Celebrating the old New Year, people join history and pay tribute to the time.
An interesting fact is that the Orthodox Church continues to live according to the Julian calendar. Back in 1923, a meeting of the Orthodox Churches was held, where it was decided that some corrections should be made to the Julian calendar. There were no representatives of the Russian church at this meeting due to certain circumstances. Having learned about what changes had been adopted, Patriarch Tikhon issued a decree to switch to a new calendar. However, the decree was soon canceled due to the protests of the church people. And at present, the question of changing the calendar in the Russian Orthodox Church is not on the table.
In fairness, it should be said that the New Year holiday, like no other, is incredibly loved by people. Moreover, each nation has its own special traditions of celebrating New Year's Eve. Sometimes there are quite incredible customs or even extravagant ones. How is New Year celebrated in different countries? It is physically impossible to talk about the traditions that exist in different countries. But to tell about the most interesting ones is worth it.
Well, who among us does not like to decorate the Christmas tree for the New Year. Meanwhile, this tradition originated a long time ago in Germany, back in the Middle Ages. And later spread almost all over the world. In general, the Germans believe that their Santa Claus always rides a donkey, and therefore the kids put hay in their shoes to please the animal.
But the ancient Vietnamese sincerely believed that the new year comes to them on the back of a carp. Therefore, there is still a custom in the country to acquire live carps and release fish into the river. The main symbol of the New Year in Vietnam is a blossoming peach twig. They decorate their homes, and also give them to each other.
Many of us love to give cards on the eve of the holiday. But not everyone knows where this tradition came from. It turns out that this custom originated in England. An obligatory ritual for the festive night is the meeting of the New Year. He is let into the house through the front doors, but before that they certainly see off the old year through the back. In England, on New Year's Eve, lovers kiss under a sprig of mistletoe, but this must be done precisely to the ringing of bells. It is believed that the observance of such a ritual should forever strengthen the future relationship of the couple.
As for Sweden, it was in this country that they first began to decorate the Christmas tree with real glass toys. It is customary to turn on bright lighting for the holiday. But the French generally celebrate the holiday quite extravagantly. On New Year's Eve, they bake a pie with a bean hiding in it. Whoever finds it will become the bean king. And everyone else must fulfill his wishes on a festive night.
In the USA, back in 1895, the White House was decorated for the first time with an electric garland. Since then, this tradition has spread to many countries. It is interesting, but on New Year's Eve, Americans do not present gifts, and also do not gather at the table. All this they do at Christmas.
But the Finns in this respect are more like us. They celebrate not only Christmas, but the New Year itself. It was from them that the tradition of melting wax and lowering it into water came from, and then, based on the outlines of the figures, make assumptions about what awaits them in the new year.
In Italy, the festivities begin only on the sixth of January. Italians at this time are trying to get rid of unnecessary and old things. They throw away furniture and utensils that they no longer need. But children expect the holiday with special enthusiasm, because on a festive night a fabulous fairy comes to every house. She opens the door with her golden key and fills the children's stockings with sweets and gifts. Only obedient kids are rewarded. And bullies and fighters instead of sweets get only a pile of ash and coal.
The Venetians, on the other hand, tend to go on New Year's Eve to St. Mark's Square. There, couples in love meet the holiday and kiss. Such an unusual tradition appeared not so long ago, but quickly took root among young people.
A very interesting tradition exists in Scotland. There, on New Year's Eve, barrels of tar on fire are rolled through the streets. It is believed that in such an original way, the locals see off the old year and invite the new one into the house.
But in Colombia, on holidays, the Old Year walks the streets on stilts. He makes people laugh and tells funny stories to kids. At night, people set off fireworks. And on the eve of the holiday, a parade of dolls marches through the streets. These are the traditions of celebrating the New Year that exist in the world.
Discussing interesting facts about the New Year, it is worth remembering our holiday traditions. This holiday has been celebrated in Russia for more than 300 years. The main symbol is Santa Claus, who congratulates the children with his helper Snegurochka. From the first days of December, holiday characters attend all kinds of matinees and events to please the kids. The children lead round dances, recite poems and sing songs, for which they then receive gifts from Grandfather Frost. New Year's Eve for children is the brightest holiday, because at this time magic reigns around, from decorating a wonderful Christmas tree to long-awaited gifts under it.
Since 1998, our Grandfather Frost has been living in a town called Veliky Ustyug. It is there that his famous residence is located. From all over the country, numerous guests come to the wizard, and not only at the end of December. All children know that November 18 is Father Frost's birthday. And of course, the wizard celebrates his holiday by arranging magnificent festivities in the residence. How old he is, no one knows for sure. However, it is known that more than 2000 years. Santa Claus's birthday is a special date. It was invented by the children themselves, because it is on this day that winter comes into its own in Veliky Ustyug and real frosts come.
Celebrations are especially magnificent in the wizard's homeland. Grandfather comes to congratulate not only adults and children, but also fabulous colleagues from different countries.
At the residence, the wizard has many assistants, among whom, as already mentioned, is the Snow Maiden. It is they who help Grandfather Frost read all the magical letters from children that come to his fabulous mail. Every child knows that the wizard will not disregard his request and will try to fulfill his cherished desire. Sometimes there are very touching letters, from which tears well up in the eyes of not only Santa Claus, but also his assistants.
In recent years, a fairly new tradition for our country to celebrate St. Nicholas Day has appeared. All children on holiday look for sweets under the pillow, which the wizard leaves at night while the kids are sleeping.
It is worth noting that Russia has its own unshakable New Year traditions that have been honored for many years - a glass of champagne to the chiming clock, a festive tree with garlands and balls, Russian salad, sparklers, crackers and much more. Without all these attributes it is difficult to imagine a holiday. The main tradition is to celebrate the holiday well and cheerfully, because there is even a saying: "As you meet New Year's Eve - so you will spend it." Therefore, New Year's Eve is a magnificent feast, laughter and fun. Lush festivities with songs and dances are usually arranged on the streets.
But the celebration doesn't end there. After all, people are ahead of Christmas and Old New Year, which has remained a holiday for the people. Of course, it is not celebrated as magnificently and richly as NG itself, but traditions are still honored, and therefore people also gather at the table this evening.
In different countries, it is celebrated in accordance with local, national traditions, but the main symbols remain almost everywhere - a decorated Christmas tree, garland lights, clock strikes, champagne, gifts and, of course, a cheerful mood and hope for something new and good in the coming year.
People have been celebrating this bright and colorful holiday since ancient times, but few people know the history of its origin.
New Year is the most ancient holiday, and in different countries it was celebrated and continues to be celebrated at different times. The earliest documentary evidence dates back to the third millennium BC, but historians believe that the holiday is even older.
The custom of celebrating the New Year first appeared in ancient Mesopotamia. In Babylon, it was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox, when nature began to awaken from its winter sleep. It was installed in honor of the supreme god Marduk, the patron of the city.
This tradition was connected with the fact that all agricultural work began at the end of March, after the water arrived in the Tigris and Euphrates. This event was celebrated for 12 days with processions, carnivals and masquerades. During the holiday it was forbidden to work and administer courts.
This festive tradition was eventually adopted by the Greeks and Egyptians, then it passed to the Romans and so on.
© REUTERS / Omar Sanadiki
The New Year in Ancient Greece came on the day of the summer solstice - June 22, it was dedicated to the god of winemaking Dionysus. The Greeks began their reckoning from the famous Olympic Games.
Ancient Egypt celebrated for centuries the flooding of the Nile River (between July and September), which marked the beginning of the new planting season and was a vital event. It was a sacred time for Egypt, because a drought would endanger the very existence of this agricultural state.
During the celebration of the New Year, the Egyptians had a custom to fill special vessels with "holy water" from the overflowing Nile, the water of which at that time was considered miraculous.
Even then it was customary to arrange nightly celebrations with dances and music, to give gifts to each other. The Egyptians believed that the waters of the Nile washed away everything old.
The Jewish New Year - Rosh Hashanah (head of the year) is celebrated 163 days after Pesach (not earlier than September 5 and not later than October 5). On this day, a ten-day period of spiritual self-deepening and repentance begins. It is believed that on Rosh Hashanah the fate of a person is decided for the year ahead.
The ancient Persian holiday Navruz, which meant the beginning of spring and the sowing period, was celebrated on the spring equinox on March 20 or 21. This Navruz differs from the Muslim New Year, since the Muslim calendar is based on the lunar annual cycle.
The celebration of Navruz is associated with the emergence of the solar chronology calendar, which appeared among the peoples of Central Asia and Iran seven thousand years ago, long before the rise of Islam.
The word "Navruz" is translated from Persian as "new day". This is the first day of the month "Farvadin" according to the Iranian calendar.
A few weeks before this date, wheat or barley seeds were placed in a dish to germinate. By the New Year, the seeds sprouted, which symbolized the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year of life.
The Chinese or Oriental New Year is a grandiose event that lasts a whole month in the old days. The New Year's date is calculated according to lunar calendar and usually falls between January 17 and February 19. In 2017, the people of China will celebrate the advent of the 4715 New Year - the Fire Rooster on January 28th.
© Sputnik / Alexander Imedashvili
During the festive procession that passes through the streets of China on New Year's Eve, people light many lanterns. This is done in order to light your way into the New Year. Unlike Europeans who celebrate the New Year with a Christmas tree, the Chinese prefer tangerines and oranges.
For the first time, the calendar, in which the year began on January 1, was introduced by the Roman emperor Julius Caesar in 46 BC. Before that, in ancient Rome, the New Year was also celebrated in early March.
The new calendar, which then began to be used by all countries that were part of the Roman Empire, naturally began to be called the Julian. The account according to the new calendar began on January 1, 45 BC. That day was the first new moon after the winter solstice.
However, throughout the world, the New Year was celebrated for many centuries either at the beginning of spring or at the end of autumn - in accordance with agricultural cycles.
The first month of the year, January, is named after the two-faced Roman god Janus. On this day, the Romans made sacrifices to the two-faced god Janus, after whom the first month of the year was named, which was considered the patron of undertakings, and timed important events to this day, considering it especially auspicious.
In ancient Rome, there was also a tradition of giving New Year's gifts. It is believed that the first gifts were laurel branches, which foreshadowed happiness and good luck in the coming year.
Among the Slavs, the pagan New Year was associated with the deity Kolyada and was celebrated on the Day of the winter solstice. The main symbolism was the fire of a fire, depicting and invoking the light of the sun, which, after the longest night of the year, had to rise higher and higher.
In addition, he was associated with fertility. According to the Slavic calendar, the year 7525 is now coming - the year of the Crouching Fox.
But in 1699, Tsar Peter I, by his decree, moved the beginning of the year to January 1 and ordered that this holiday be celebrated with a Christmas tree and fireworks.
New Year is a truly international holiday, but different countries celebrate it in their own way. The Italians throw old irons and chairs out of the windows with all the southern passion, the inhabitants of Panama try to make as much noise as possible, for which they turn on the sirens of their cars, whistle and shout.
In Ecuador, special importance is attached to underwear, which brings love and money, in Bulgaria they turn off the lights, because the first minutes of the New Year are the time for New Year's kisses.
© REUTERS / Ints Kalnins
In Japan, instead of 12, 108 bells sound, and a rake is considered the best New Year's accessory - to rake in happiness.
A very interesting New Year tradition exists in Myanmar. On this day, everyone you meet pours cold water on the other. This is due to the fact that the New Year in Myanmar falls on the hottest time of the year. In the local language this day is called "water festival".
In Brazil, it is customary to ward off evil spirits on New Year's Eve. For this, everyone dressed in white clothes. Some jump into the ocean waves on the beach and throw flowers into the sea.
© AFP / Michal Cizek
In Denmark, to wish love and prosperity to yourself or your friends, it is customary to break dishes under their windows.
At midnight, Chileans eat a spoonful of lentils and put money in their shoes. It is believed that this will bring prosperity and wealth throughout the year. The more daring can spend New Year's Eve at the cemetery with deceased loved ones.
In the tradition of the countries of the post-Soviet space, there was the following tradition - write down your desire on a piece of paper, burn it and pour the ashes into a glass of champagne, mix and drink. All this procedure had to be done in the time interval until the clock strikes twelve.
© AFP / VINCENZO PINTO
In Spain, there is a tradition - to quickly eat 12 grapes at midnight, and each grape will be eaten with each new strike of the clock. Each of the grapes should bring good luck in each month of the coming year. Residents of the country gather in the squares of Barcelona and Madrid in order to have time to eat grapes. The tradition of eating grapes has been around for over a hundred years.
In Scotland, before the New Year, members of the whole family sit down near a lit fireplace, and with the first strike of the clock, the head of the family must open the front door, and silently. Such a ritual is designed to spend the old year and let the New Year into your home. The Scots believe that whether luck or bad luck enters the house depends on who is the first to cross their threshold in the new year.
© AFP / Niklas HALLE"N
On New Year's Eve, the inhabitants of Greece, like the inhabitants of many other countries, go to visit each other with gifts. However, there is a peculiarity - in addition to gifts, they carry a stone to the owners, and the more the better. In Greece, they believe that the heavier the stone, the heavier will be the purse of the recipients in the coming year.
According to another Greek tradition, the eldest member of the family must break a pomegranate fruit in the courtyard of his house. If pomegranate seeds scattered around the yard, then his family will have a happy life in the coming year.
There is a very unusual New Year tradition in Panama. Here it is customary to burn effigies of politicians, athletes and other famous people. However, the inhabitants of Panama do not wish evil to anyone, just all these stuffed animals symbolize all the troubles of the outgoing year.
© Sputnik / Levan Avlabreli
Moreover, every family should burn the scarecrow. Apparently another Panamanian tradition is connected with this. At midnight, on the streets of Panamanian cities, the bells of all fire towers begin to ring. In addition, car horns are honking, everyone is screaming. Such noise is meant to threaten the coming year.
The material was prepared on the basis of open sources.
Is there any other holiday that almost everyone loves, regardless of age and place of residence? And indeed, New Year holiday many nations celebrate when the transition from the last day of the outgoing year to the first of the next comes. This holiday was celebrated in the 3rd century. BC in Mesopotamia.
The beginning of the calendar year on January 1 was decided by the Roman emperor Julius Caesar in 46 BC. And this day was dedicated to the Roman god Janus - the god of exits and entrances, all beginnings and doors. In honor of this god, the first month of the year, January, was also named, and the god himself was depicted as two-faced - one of his faces looked forward, while the other looked back.
In Rus', until the 15th century, the new calendar year began on March 1. In 1348, it was decided by those in power to begin the new year in September. It was then (September 1) that this day began to be celebrated in a special festive way, and in the "Paris Dictionary of Muscovites" of the 16th century, the name of this New Year's holiday was even preserved - it was called the First Day of the Year. And only in 1700, Peter I decreed that Russia, like other European countries, would begin the year on January 1.
Interestingly, only since 1947, January 1 is a public holiday, and since 1992, another day has been added to it - January 2. And quite recently - in 2005 - the New Year holidays were established in our country, which, taking into account the days off and Christmas, last for 10 days.
The most striking attribute of the New Year holiday, traditionally installed in every city and house, is, of course, the New Year tree. In many countries, the Christmas tree is set on the eve of Catholic Christmas on December 25, in our country until 1916 there was also such a tradition, but during the First World War, the Holy Synod banned the Christmas tree as a "German custom" alien to Russia. And she returned to our homes only in 1936 already as a New Year tree. It is customary to decorate the Christmas tree with toys and lights; garlands of lights also decorate the house and yard.
Traditionally, it is customary to celebrate the New Year with family and loved ones. And these closest ones should be seated on New Year's Eve (from December 31 to January 1) at the festive table, where those gathered must first spend the old outgoing year, and at midnight, to the sound of chiming clocks and the clink of glasses, meet the coming year. By the way, making a wish while the clock strikes 12 times has also become a tradition. Now the New Year's table is full of dishes, the variety and quantity of which is limited only by the imagination of the hosts. But once in Rus', a traditional dish on the New Year and Christmas table was a baked goose.
Santa Claus, being a fairy-tale character of Russian folklore, comes on New Year's Eve to the house where children live and brings them gifts in a large red bag. Often, together with Santa Claus, his granddaughter Snegurochka travels, dressed in a long silver coat, a painted kokoshnik or a light fur hat. Santa Claus himself is dressed in a red, blue or silver fur coat embroidered with patterns, a warm hat is on his head, and a staff is in his hand. A long white beard and felt boots are also integral attributes of this fairy tale character. Santa Claus moves on skis, on a troika of horses or on foot.
In ancient times, the Slavs imagined Santa Claus as a short, gray-bearded old man, whose breath is a fierce cold, tears are icicles, words are frost, and his hair is snow clouds. Frost's wife is Winter, assistants are Marosses (crackers). In winter, Santa Claus, running through the forests, fields and streets of cities, knocks with his staff and binds rivers, lakes, streams and puddles with ice. And if suddenly Frost strikes with his staff in the corner of the hut, then the log will certainly crack. Frost does not like the trembling and freezing, but cheerful and cheerful, he gives good health and a lively blush.
Modern traditions include primarily festive fireworks (fireworks), as well as a variety of firecrackers, firecrackers, sparklers, Roman candles and other pyrotechnics. Nowadays, in many countries, fabulous sums are spent on large-scale pyrotechnic shows. The most grandiose and beautiful shows are held in China, Sydney and London, from where they are broadcast all over the world.
On New Year's and Christmas holidays, it has long been customary to dress up in the evenings and go from house to house with songs, poems, jokes and carols for which the owners should thank with sweets or coins. Also during the New Year and Christmas holidays, fortune-telling is accepted, when everyone can look into the future. They guess with the help of cards, candles and mirrors, wax, fire and paper and many other items.
Some families also celebrate such a holiday as the Old New Year, which is, in fact, the New Year according to the Julian calendar (from January 13 to 14). For us, this is a way to once again gather at the festive table. Interestingly, it is celebrated in Switzerland, Serbia, as well as some other countries.
In England and Poland, in addition to the New Year tree, the house is decorated with mistletoe sprigs.
The French Santa Claus, whose name is Pere Noel, leaves gifts for children in their shoes. And if you come across a baked bean in a piece of New Year's cake, then you will become the "bean king" and on New Year's Eve everyone will obey your orders.
In Italy, on the eve of the New Year, all unnecessary things are thrown away, and on Christmas the Christmas log is burned.
In Bulgaria, there is a custom to kiss at the New Year's table, and in order to keep the secret of these kisses, the lights go out in every house for 3 minutes, these minutes have their own name - "minutes of New Year's kisses."
In Sweden, on New Year's Eve, the queen of the world is chosen to bring sweets to children and treats to pets.
In Colombia, the main hero of the holiday is the Old Year, which walks the streets on high stilts, telling funny stories to children, and the Colombian Santa Claus - Pascual starts fireworks.
In Mexico, a mandatory attribute is festive fireworks and New Year's bells, and children are given gingerbread dolls at midnight.
Before the New Year, Cubans collect water in all kinds of containers, and at midnight they pour it out of the windows. Thus, they see off the outgoing year along a bright path. In the meantime, the clock strikes 12 times, you need to eat 12 grapes, symbolizing good luck in the coming year.
The Japanese on New Year's Eve ring the bells 108 times, symbolizing the six vices and 18 shades of each.
The New Year in Myanmar comes at the height of the hottest time of the year and is met with a “water festival”, during which people who meet each other pour water for good luck.
Even in Muslim Turkey, many celebrate the New Year according to the Gregorian (Christian) calendar, and the Turkish Santa Claus is called Noel Baba.
Whatever the traditions of celebrating the New Year in your family, you can always make this holiday even brighter and more unforgettable.
Romanchukevich Tatiana
for women's magazine site
When using and reprinting the material, an active link to the women's online magazine is required
