How many countries celebrate the New Year? How the New Year is celebrated in different countries of the world. Ukraine: first there was Karachun...

In different countries it is celebrated in accordance with local and national traditions, but the main symbols almost everywhere remain - a decorated Christmas tree, garland lights, striking clocks, 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.

The most ancient holiday

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 spring equinox, when nature began to awaken from its winter sleep. It was installed in honor of the supreme god Marduk, the patron saint of the city.

This tradition was due to the fact that all agricultural work began at the end of March, after the water in the Tigris and Euphrates arrived. This event was celebrated for 12 days with processions, carnivals and masquerades. During the holiday it was forbidden to work and hold court.

This holiday tradition was eventually adopted by the Greeks and Egyptians, then passed on to the Romans, and so on.

The New Year in Ancient Greece began on the summer solstice, June 22, and was dedicated to the god of wine, Dionysus. The Greeks based their chronology on the famous Olympic Games.

Ancient Egypt celebrated for centuries the flood of the Nile River (between July and September), which marked the beginning of a new planting season and was a vital event. This was a sacred time for Egypt, because drought would threaten the very existence of this agricultural state.

When celebrating the New Year, the Egyptians had a custom of filling 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 organize night celebrations with dancing and music, and give each other gifts. 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 Passover (no earlier than September 5 and no 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.

Solar chronology

The ancient Persian holiday of Nowruz, which signified the beginning of spring and the sowing period, was celebrated on the vernal equinox on March 20 or 21. This is how Nowruz differs from the Muslim New Year, since the Muslim calendar is based on the lunar annual cycle.

The celebration of Nowruz is associated with the emergence of the solar calendar, which appeared among the peoples of Central Asia and Iran seven thousand years ago, long before the emergence 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.

Chinese New Year

Chinese or Eastern New Year is a grandiose event that lasted a whole month in the old days. The New Year's date is calculated according to the lunar calendar and usually falls between January 17 and February 19. In 2017, Chinese residents will celebrate the arrival of New Year 4715 - the Fire Rooster on January 28.

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 the way into the New Year. Unlike Europeans, who celebrate the New Year with a Christmas tree, the Chinese prefer tangerines and oranges.

Julian calendar

The first calendar in which the year began on January 1 was introduced by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar in 46 BC. Before this, in Ancient Rome, the New Year was also celebrated in early March.

The new calendar, which then began to be used by all countries belonging to the Roman Empire, naturally began to be called Julian. The counting according to the new calendar began on January 1, 45 BC. Just on this day there 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,” received its name in honor of the Roman god Janus, the two-faced god. On this day, the Romans made sacrifices to the two-faced god Janus, in whose honor the first month of the year was named, who was considered the patron of endeavors, and important events were dedicated to this day, considering it especially favorable.

Ancient Rome also had 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.

Slavic New Year

Among the Slavs, the pagan New Year was associated with the deity Kolyada and was celebrated on the Winter Solstice. The main symbolism was the fire of the fire, depicting and invoking the light of the sun, which, after the longest night of the year, was supposed to rise higher and higher.

In addition, it 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 to celebrate this holiday with a Christmas tree and fireworks.

Traditions

New Year is a truly international holiday, but different countries celebrate it in their own way. Italians throw old irons and chairs out of windows with all the southern passion, Panamanians try to make as much noise as possible, for which they turn on the sirens of their cars, whistle and shout.

In Ecuador, special significance is attached to underwear, which brings love and money; in Bulgaria, the lights are turned off because the first minutes of the New Year are the time for New Year's kisses.

In Japan, instead of 12, the bell rings 108 times, and the best New Year's accessory is a rake - to rake in good fortune.

A very interesting New Year tradition exists in Myanmar. On this day, everyone you meet pours cold water on each other. This is due to the fact that New Year in Myanmar falls during the hottest time of the year. In the local language this day is called the "water festival".

In Brazil, it is customary to ward off evil spirits on New Year's Eve. For this, everyone dresses in white clothes. Some people jump into the ocean waves on the beach and throw flowers into the sea.

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 braver ones can spend New Year's Eve in a cemetery with deceased loved ones.

In the tradition of the countries of the post-Soviet space there was the following tradition - to write down your wish on a piece of paper, burn it and pour the ashes into a glass of champagne, mix and drink. This whole procedure had to be done during the period of time while the clock struck twelve.

In Spain, there is a tradition of quickly eating 12 grapes at midnight, each grape being 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 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 entire family sit near a lit fireplace, and with the first strike of the clock, the head of the family must open the front door, and silently. This ritual is designed to celebrate the old year and let the New Year into your home. The Scots believe that whether good luck or bad luck enters a house depends on who crosses their threshold first in the new year. According to another Greek tradition, the eldest member of the family should break a pomegranate fruit in the courtyard of his house. If pomegranate seeds are scattered throughout the yard, then a happy life awaits his family in the coming year.

There is a very unusual New Year's tradition in Panama. It is customary here to burn effigies of politicians, athletes and other famous people. However, the inhabitants of Panama do not wish harm to anyone, it’s just that all these stuffed animals symbolize all the troubles of the outgoing year.

Moreover, every family must burn the effigy. Apparently another Panamanian tradition is connected with this. At midnight, the bells of all fire towers begin to ring on the streets of Panamanian cities. In addition, car horns are honking and everyone is screaming. Such noise is intended to threaten the coming year.

The material was prepared on the basis of open sources.

Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, New Year is not celebrated on January 1st. Moreover, it is prohibited. The fact is that celebrating the change of dates is considered alien to Islam in principle. There is a special unit of the local police that monitors that stores do not sell New Year's goods, and that there are no New Year's celebrations on the streets. The thing is that in Saudi Arabia they strictly follow religious scriptures and celebrate holidays strictly according to them. So the New Year here begins on March 21 - the day of the vernal equinox, which often coincides with the first day of the holy month of Muharram.

Israel

January 1 in Israel is a working day, no different from others. Israelis celebrate their New Year in the fall - on the new moon of the month of Tishrei according to the Jewish calendar (September or October). This holiday is called Rosh Hashanah. It is celebrated for 2 days. Although January 1 is considered a working day, celebration is not prohibited. Therefore, everyone can take time off or vacation. Considering the large Russian diaspora in Israel, the festive mood is felt these days, but the New Year celebrations are not on a large scale - they are usually celebrated with family.

Iran

Iran uses the Persian calendar, according to which the new year begins on March 21. This is the day of the spring equinox and the Navruz holiday. Thus, January 1 in Iran is the most ordinary day. Nowruz is more of a national tradition than an Islamic custom, and in this, Iranians are slightly different from Arabians. Nowruz marks the beginning of the year in Afghanistan. Along with January 1, it is celebrated in Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Albania and Macedonia.

India

In multi-ethnic India, there are so many holidays from different cultures that it is not possible to create a single calendar for them. The problem here is solved differently: depending on their beliefs and confession, employees can take time off on those holidays that they consider necessary to celebrate.

January 1 is not a national event and there are no global celebrations on this day. At the same time, according to the generally accepted Indian calendar, the New Year should be celebrated on March 22, but, for example, in the state of Kerala the change of year is celebrated on April 13, the southern states have their own Divapali holiday, and the Sikhs have their own Vaisakhi.

South Korea

In South Korea, January 1 is a day off. But the beginning of the year in Korea is perceived not as a holiday, but as an extra day off that can be spent with family and friends. And if anything is celebrated on an unprecedented scale, it is Seollal - Lunar New Year. On this day, most Koreans go to their hometowns to honor their ancestors. Because travel can be time-consuming, the day before and immediately after New Year's Day are also considered national holidays.

China

Chinese New Year (Chunjie) falls on a day between January 21 and February 21 and coincides with the second new moon after the winter solstice. The Chinese celebrate this holiday on a grand scale: they set off fireworks, organize noisy processions, hold a large-scale lantern festival and gather for a traditional family dinner, which can only be missed for very good reasons.

But January 1 is a regular day off. Although artificial Christmas trees and figurines of Santa Claus appear in stores, this is rather a tribute to the multinationality of China.

Vietnam

The Vietnamese New Year is called Tet - this is the most important and popular holiday in the country, which is celebrated on one of the days in late January-early February. Most often it coincides in time with Chinese, but there are also small discrepancies. The principle of choosing the day is the first day of the first month according to the lunar calendar. The scale of the Tet holiday is impressive - the festivities can easily drag on for a week.

Bangladesh

The New Year in Bangladesh is called Bengali and is celebrated completely differently than they are used to in Russia. The holiday begins on April 14, the first day of the month of Boyshak. On this day, people go for walks in parks, where cultural programs with a national bias are organized. But at the same time, January 1 is also an official holiday and a day off.

For all people. Each region has its own customs and traditions associated with this celebration.

It is also noteworthy that in each state the New Year is celebrated at its own time. Many peoples, including Russians, live according to the Gregorian calendar. They celebrate the New Year on the night of December 31st to January 1st. Taking into account standard time, the first to celebrate here are the inhabitants of the island of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean. But in Europe, the main holiday is considered to be Christmas, which is celebrated on the night of December 24-25. In China, the holiday coincides with the winter new moon, which occurs between January 21 and February 21. The traditions of celebrating the New Year in different countries are very interesting. Next we will talk about them.

New Year - a holiday from ancient times

No one can say for sure how old this holiday is. But it is known that it existed already in the 3rd millennium BC. The tradition of celebrating the New Year on January 1 was established by the Roman ruler Julius Caesar. In those days in Ancient Rome, on this day the god Janus, the lord of choice, doors and all beginnings, was especially revered. He was depicted with two faces: one was turned back (the past year), and the other was turned forward (the new year). As now, different countries around the world have had their own traditions of celebrating the New Year many centuries ago. Then people firmly believed that their lives were controlled by higher powers. This is reflected in traditions and customs. So, in our country, Santa Claus had predecessors - the spirit Zimnik, the evil deity Karachun, the Slavic god of bad weather and storms Pozvizd. As a rule, they were feared. They brought with them hail, blizzards, destruction and death. The ancient Celts celebrated Samhain on the night of October 31st. This day was considered mystical. People believed that the border between the world of the living and the world of the dead was being erased at this time. A horde of evil is falling upon the earth. On Samhain it was necessary to light bonfires, sing, walk and have fun. Then the evil spirits will not dare to come out. Later, this holiday replaced the well-known Halloween.

New year in Russia

Residents of our country love this holiday. After all, he is the kindest, cheerful, bright. It is noteworthy that on January 1 in Russia it began to be celebrated in 1700. Then Tsar Peter 1 issued a corresponding decree. True, our country then lived according to the Julian calendar. Since 1919, Russia began to be celebrated in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The most important attribute of our celebration is a decorated New Year tree. On the evening of December 31st, all relatives and friends in many families gather to see off the old year and welcome the new one. Traditional dishes on the table this holiday: Olivier salads and herring under a fur coat, cabbage rolls, dumplings, fried chicken and, of course, tangerines. On this day, kind Grandfather Frost comes to the children. He is dressed in a red, blue or silver fur coat with patterns, a hat and large mittens. A long, gray beard, shaggy eyebrows whitened by frost, rosy cheeks... Who doesn’t recognize Santa Claus? He has a staff in his hand and a large bag of gifts behind his back. Sometimes he is accompanied by his granddaughter, the beautiful Snow Maiden.

All the children wait for this event all year, sending wishes for future gifts and gifts. These are the traditions we have for celebrating the New Year. It has its own meaning for children in different countries.

China

If in Russia the New Year holiday is associated with winter cold, snow, frost, then in other countries it has a different meaning. So, in China it is called the Spring Festival and is celebrated between January 21 and February 21, when the moon completes its full cycle and the new moon occurs. The celebrations here last 15 days and end. Both adults and children participate in the events. From the very morning, people clean their houses because they believe that cleanliness is not a place for evil spirits. At this time, the streets are dazzling with bright festive clothes, fair goods and lights. In the evening, people gather in a close family circle for dinner, where they often give each other not gifts, but red envelopes with money. It is customary to give such gifts even to children and work colleagues. When it gets dark, people go out into the streets to set off fireworks, fireworks, and burn incense. Chinese unusual traditions of celebrating the New Year are interesting. In different countries of the world, customs are usually associated with folk epic. China is no exception. Residents of this country believe in the ancient legend about the terrible monster Nian, who came on New Year's Eve to eat all the people's livestock, supplies and grain, and sometimes even children. One day people saw how Nian was afraid of a child dressed in red clothes.

Since then, they began to hang red lanterns and scrolls near their homes on New Year’s Eve to scare away the beast. Festive fireworks and incense are also considered good repellers of this monster.

Vibrant India

The traditions of celebrating the New Year in different countries of the world are original and mysterious. In India, the main holiday of the year is called Diwali, or the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated at the end of October or beginning of November. What can you see on this day on the streets of Indian cities? All houses and statues of gods and animals are decorated with bright flowers, lights, lanterns and lit candles. The holiday is dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi - the embodiment of wealth, abundance, prosperity, good luck and happiness. On this day, it is customary to give everyone interesting gifts. Gifts for children are placed on a special tray intended for this purpose, and then they are brought to it with their eyes closed. In the evening, when it gets dark, people go out into the streets to set off festive fireworks and firecrackers.

Land of the Rising Sun

Japan also has its own traditions of celebrating the New Year. In different countries of the world, treats are prepared for children on this day. Japan is no exception. Both children and adults adore the sweet delicacy mochi. These are round small loaves or cakes made of rice flour, decorated with orange fruit on top. Giving mochi means wishing a person prosperity and wealth in the coming year.

On this day, the Japanese also eat boiled seaweed, fish pie, sweet potato puree with chestnuts, and sweet soybeans. And, of course, the New Year celebration is not complete without songs and dances. In Japan, there is a tradition of everyone getting together and playing games: hanetsuki (shuttlecock game), board game with sugoroku chips, uta-garuta and others. The streets are crowded on holiday. The shops are full of New Year's souvenirs: hamaimi (arrows that drive away evil spirits from the house), kumade (bamboo rakes like a bear's paw), takarabune (boats with rice for good luck). As a rule, on holidays, children here, as well as in China, are given not gifts, but money placed in a special envelope called potibukuro.

In France and England

We look at what traditions exist for celebrating the New Year in different countries. I wonder how this day is celebrated in Europe? For example, in England, houses are decorated not only with Christmas trees, but also with mistletoe branches. They are hung everywhere, even on lamps and chandeliers. The front door is also decorated with a mistletoe wreath. It is believed that this plant brings happiness to the house and protects its inhabitants from diseases. In France, it is not Father Frost who comes to children, but old man Père Noel in a fur coat, a red cap and wooden shoes. He moves on a donkey. Children believe that Père Noel climbs into the chimney and puts gifts for them in shoes specially prepared for this in front of the fireplace.

On this day, adults dance in red caps, fool around, have fun, joke, and sprinkle confetti on each other. As you can see, the traditions of celebrating the New Year are similar in Europe. In different countries, the shortest congratulation in English is: “Happy New Year!”, which means: “Happy New Year!”

Italy

In this country, the celebration begins on January 6th. On the eve of the holiday, children hang stockings near the fireplace. They hope to receive many delicious and wonderful gifts. Only they are given here not by Santa Claus, as with us, but by a kind and affectionate fairy named Befana. The children believe that she flies in on her broom at night, opens all the doors in the house with a special golden key and fills their stockings with all kinds of gifts. Befana loves obedient and well-mannered children. The one who spent a whole goal just being naughty and playing pranks will receive only a black coal and a handful of ash as a reward. Adult Italians don't believe in witches. But they are convinced that the New Year is a time to pay tribute to centuries-old traditions. For example, residents of this country throw out old and unnecessary things from the house when the clock strikes, thus getting rid of the problems of the old year. They believe that new items purchased to replace those thrown away will bring them good luck and happiness. Here, as in many countries, on the eve of the holiday people give each other gifts. In the provinces you may be presented with an olive sprig in water taken from a spring. It is believed that such a symbolic gift brings happiness. Every family must have lentils, nuts and grapes on the table on this day. In order for good luck to accompany you in all matters throughout the year, you must eat them. It is also worth noting that Italians are very superstitious people. They believe in all sorts of omens. For example, it is believed that if a priest is the first to meet on the way on the morning after New Year's Eve, then the year will be unlucky. If a child gets in the way, that’s also not good. But the hunchbacked grandfather, who comes to the meeting, promises health and good luck for the whole next year.

In Ireland

We continue to travel around Europe. The traditions of celebrating the New Year in different countries have a lot in common. In English, congratulations on the occasion can also be heard in Ireland. Here this holiday is considered not only a family one. On the eve of it, the doors of all houses open wide. Anyone can enter any of them and join the celebration. The guest will definitely be seated in the place of honor, the best delicacies will be placed in front of him and toasts will be made to “World Peace!” It’s hard to imagine the Irish New Year without the traditional treat here, called seed cake. This is a cumin cake. Local housewives also prepare a special pudding for the festive table. After a rich feast, everyone goes for a walk outside. By half past eleven, the Irish gather in the central square of the city, where there is a large Christmas tree. The real fun begins with songs, dances, and jokes.

Bulgaria

There are traditions for celebrating the New Year here. In different countries, treats are prepared for children on this day. In Bulgaria it could be candied pumpkin, caramel apples or homemade marmalade. A traditional New Year's dish is bannitsa. This is a puff pastry. And in Bulgaria there is a tradition of placing a loaf of bread with a coin in it on the festive table. After the loaf is cut, everyone looks for a coin in their piece. After the feast, both adults and children here make dogwood sticks, decorating them with dried fruits, nuts, heads of garlic, coins and tying them with red thread. They are called suruvachki. This item must be hit on everyone in the family to bring them health and good luck. Sometimes they go to their neighbors with survachkas to wish them all the best. And then the young people pour out into the street singing and dancing.

When the clock on the city tower strikes midnight, marking the beginning of the year, the entire city turns off the kissing lights for three minutes. There are even competitions to see who can kiss the most.

In Cuba

We are used to celebrating the New Year with snow and frost. I wonder how this holiday is celebrated where it is always summer? The customs of celebrating the New Year in different countries of the tropical zone, such as, for example, Cuba, are unique. Here on this day they decorate an araucaria coniferous tree or even just a palm tree. Instead of champagne, people drink rum, diluting it with orange juice, liqueur and adding ice. In Cuba, there is an interesting tradition on the eve of the celebration to fill all the buckets, jugs and basins in the house with water. At midnight this water is poured out of the windows. It is believed that in this way people protect their home from adversity and misfortune. Before the clock strikes 12, everyone must have time to eat twelve grapes and make a wish. Then you can be sure that good luck and peace and prosperity will accompany you all year long. There is also a Santa Claus here. Only he is not alone, like with us. There are three of them in Cuba: Balthasar, Gaspar and Melchior.

On the eve of the holiday, the child writes notes to them with wishes about what gifts they would like to receive from them. All night Cubans walk and have fun, sing, joke and throw water on each other. Here they believe that this brings happiness to a person and charges him with positive energy.

Sultry Brazil

The life of this country has always been closely connected with the ocean. For many centuries, the goddess of the seas, Iemanja, played a leading role in local folklore. It is with her that the local customs of celebrating the New Year are associated. In different countries of the world on this day people cast magic spells and perform ritual ceremonies. In Brazil, on the eve of the holiday, residents try to appease the goddess Iemanja so that she will show favor and patience to them throughout the next year. She is depicted as a beautiful woman in long blue robes with flowing hair the color of lunar silver paths. Many Brazilians try to dress the same way on this day. Iemanja is very fond of fun and dancing. Therefore, people go to the beach in the evening, sing, walk, congratulate each other and perform a magical ritual for good luck. It consists of sending small rafts into the ocean with fruits, rice, sweets, mirrors, scallops and lit candles. While doing this, people pray and sing ritual songs, trying to appease the formidable goddess. Women in long robes throw bright flowers into the ocean waters, making wishes. The action ends with a half-hour fireworks display. These are the unusual traditions of celebrating the New Year in different countries, where there is eternal summer.

In Australia

Tired of snow and cold? Where to go We continue to look at the traditions of celebrating the New Year in different countries. Comic performances are usually staged everywhere. Australians celebrate this holiday among the first on the planet. The celebration here, as a rule, takes place in the open air. Beach parties, loud songs, fun dancing, fantastic fireworks, music festivals with the participation of world stars: all this can be seen in Melbourne and Sydney on New Year's Eve. Santa Claus in a red cap and pants on a surfboard on the beach... You can only see this in Australia.

At exactly midnight, city streets are filled with the sounds of car horns and the ringing of bells. This is how Australians try to ring in the New Year for their visit. As you can see, the traditions of celebrating the New Year in different countries are very different.

Colombia

To remember summer and enjoy its beauty in winter, let's go to Colombia. It has its own interesting customs for celebrating the New Year. In different countries of the world, the main character is Santa Claus, whose arrival marks the beginning of the new year. And in Colombia, the main hero of the holiday is the Old Year, who walks the streets and amuses the local children. Often his role is played by a scarecrow on a long stick, which is burned on the beach at midnight. It is believed that after this the old year left the country forever and gave way to the new one. There is also a Santa Claus here. His name is Papa Pasquale. He is dressed in a red fur coat and hat, just like our main character of the holiday. Only he walks on long stilts, which makes both adults and children incredibly funny.

Seeing him, the city residents begin to whistle, throw firecrackers and fire guns into the air. He doesn't bring gifts. But everyone knows that Papa Pasquale is a master at arranging fireworks. It is believed that it is he who decorates the New Year's sky with multi-colored fireworks and lights.

New Year in Africa

The traditions of celebrating the New Year in different countries are interesting. Curious, how is the celebration celebrated in African countries? After all, this continent is considered the birthplace of this holiday. If we decorate a Christmas tree for the New Year, palm trees are often decorated here, not only with toys, but also with fresh fruits

In many African countries, there is a tradition of scattering green nuts along the streets. It is believed that whoever finds such a nut will definitely be happy this year. As a rule, this holiday in the countries of the “black” continent is celebrated on January 1. But there are exceptions, for example, Ethiopia. The celebration takes place here on September 1st. This time in the country is marked by the end of the rainy period and the beginning of the ripening of fruits. On the eve of the main holiday of the year, young and old try to swim in the river. People believe that in this way they leave all sins in the past and enter the New Year with a pure soul. The holiday itself takes place with songs, celebrations and dances around a set fire to a sheaf of palm branches decorated with yellow flowers.

Different countries have their own traditions of celebrating the New Year. Photos, interesting facts from many parts of the planet: everything can be found in our article.

There are many different countries in the world, and accordingly there are peoples on our planet who celebrate the New Year in a completely different way and at a completely different time of year than, for example, we do.

Our tradition obliges us to prepare for New Year, starting with Catholic Christmas, celebrate the holiday itself on the night of December 31 to January 1 and continue to celebrate until the Old New Year. This is probably why New Year is our favorite holiday. Also, on the night from December 31 to January 1, New Year is celebrated in Australia, Scotland, Austria, Japan, Romania, Canada, USA, UAE, Finland and many other countries. But not in all of them. So, the Greek New Year begins simultaneously with our Old New Year - January 14, and is called St. Basil's Day. Every child in Greece knows that Saint Basil is the kindest and most generous, and, expecting gifts from him, they place shoes near the fireplace on the festive night, which in the morning will be full of gifts.

The first on the globe to meet New Year islanders of the Fiji archipelago, consisting of three hundred and twenty islands, some of which are uninhabited.

China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Korea, Mongolia, as well as other countries where Buddhism is practiced, celebrate the New Year according to the lunar calendar on the first spring new moon. Here, the New Year does not have a fixed date, since the sacred new moon occurs at a different time every year, approximately between January 21 and February 20 (this period is considered early spring). On New Year's Eve, Vietnamese give family and friends branches of blossoming peach trees and small tangerine trees with fruits.

The Muslim New Year - Hijri - is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Muslim year, and this date is also movable.

Residents of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, the Central Asian republics, Iran, Pakistan and Azerbaijan celebrate the New Year - Navruz - on the first day of the coming year according to the Persian calendar. This holiday falls on the night of March 21-22, when the spring equinox begins.

There are about thirty Indian calendars. So, in the south of India, the New Year is celebrated in March, in the north - in April, in the west - in October, in the state of Kerala - either in July or in August. In some states, during New Year's celebrations, it is allowed to speak only politely, and it is forbidden to get angry and swear. In general, there are eight similar dates in this country when you can celebrate this event: for example, Gudi Padwa. On this day, everyone should definitely eat a few leaves of the neem-neem tree, which, according to ancient beliefs, protect people from illness and sorrow and, despite the fact that the leaves of these miraculous plants taste terribly bitter and unpleasant, they promise a sweet life.

There is a New Year on earth, which is celebrated on April 1st. So, on Humor Day, the New Year is celebrated in Odessa. In the same month, the New Year holiday is celebrated in Burma. At this time, the hottest days come in Burma, and throughout the holiday, Burmese people pour water on each other from different dishes. But at the same time, no one is offended by each other, on the contrary, they are happy, since this ritual is a kind of wish for happiness and prosperity. This day is called the New Year's water festival - Tinjan. But the exact date for celebrating the New Year in Burma is set by the Ministry of Culture, which usually happens from April 12 to 17 - shortly after the end of the rainy season. The New Year celebration lasts about three days.

In April, on the 13th, the New Year comes to Sri Lanka and Nepal. In Laos, the capital of Tibet, this holiday is celebrated on April 14 and they wait for a gift in the form of rain, since before this Tibet experiences a season of prolonged drought, and after April 14 the rainy season begins.

Oddly enough, some peoples celebrate the New Year in the summer. So the Mayan tribes celebrate this holiday on July 16, and the peoples of Djibouti and Niger - in August.

In the fall, the New Year is celebrated in Syria on September 1. It is then celebrated in Israel. There it is called Rosh Hashanah and is celebrated on the first and second days of the month of Tishrei. In Ethiopia, the New Year begins on September 11, and it is associated with the end of the rainy season.

October is a holiday month for Gambia and Indonesia. On New Year's Day, all residents of these countries ask each other for forgiveness for the insults and troubles they brought last year.

November New Year is celebrated in Yemen, Oceania and Hawaii.

Nowhere in the world is New Year celebrated as often as on the Indonesian island of Bali. A year in Bali lasts 210 days. The main attribute of the holiday is multi-colored rice, from which two-meter ribbons are baked, and columns are built from these ribbons as gifts to the gods. When the celebration ends, local residents take the columns home.

On the day of seeing off the old one and welcoming the New Year in Scotland, the doors of all houses are open: everyone can visit any family. The visitor is supposed to bring a piece of coal, throw it into the family fireplace and wish that the fire in this house does not go out.

In Bulgaria, when the clock strikes midnight, the lights are turned off for three minutes. This time is called the time of New Year's kisses, the secret of which is preserved by darkness.

Cubans splash water from jugs onto the ground at midnight - this means that the old year has ended happily, and the New Year will be as clean and clear as water.

In Romania, it is customary to bake money, rings and hot peppers into pies. If someone comes across a ring, then, according to signs, the coming year will be especially happy.

In Japan, sacred bells ring one hundred and eight times on New Year's Eve. The numbers 100 and 8 are considered lucky by the Japanese. With the last blow you are supposed to go to bed. Here the New Year is celebrated not at midnight, but at sunrise, and the holiday lasts throughout January. New Year for the Japanese is like a common birthday. They did not have the custom of celebrating the date of birth; the one hundred and eighth strike adds one to all ages at once, even if the baby was born the day before.

In Guinea, on New Year's Day, it is customary to walk elephants along the street.

In Sudan, people give each other green nuts for good luck.

In Italy, they take care to wear everything new on New Year's Day. On December 31, Italians give red underwear to their loved ones, as this color symbolizes newness to them.

The Spaniards give each other grapes on New Year's Day. There must be exactly twelve grapes on each guest's plate at midnight. With each ring of the bell you need to eat one grape, then you will have good luck all year. Seedless grapes do not bring happiness.

Swedes give each other homemade candles: near the Arctic Circle it gets dark early in winter, so the light symbolizes friendship, cordiality and fun.

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Every people, every country has its own history, its own important events from which it all began. Or natural phenomena, after which you can draw a line, draw conclusions, rejoice and count down the new year.

website will tell you about several countries whose New Year's Eve traditions are so different.

China celebrates New Year in February

From approximately April 12 to April 17, the New Year begins in Burma (Myanmar). The holiday is called Tinjan. The more noise and fun, the better, because this way you can attract the attention of the rain gods. There is a real flood on the streets, abundantly watering passers-by with hoses and buckets.

Young people pay respect to the older generation, washing the elderly
head with bark and bean shampoo. It’s also customary to save a fish from drying out
reservoir and release it into a large lake, saying: “I release it 1 time,
so that they let me go 10 times.”

In India, New Year is celebrated several times a year.

India celebrates New Year more often than any other country in the world. The traditional Indian year, Gudi Padwa, is celebrated in March. In numerous states, the New Year is celebrated according to the traditional calendars of the peoples living there.

One of the brightest holidays is the Bengal New Year, Holi. Festival
the colors begin to fade in early spring. On the first evening, they burn an effigy of the goddess Holika, drive cattle through the fire and walk on the coals. And then cheerful celebrations begin, showering each other with bright colors and pouring colored water on each other.

Ethiopia celebrates New Year on September 11

On September 11, when the rainy season ends, Ethiopia celebrates the New Year
- Enkutatash. Ethiopians build tall bonfires of eucalyptus and fir trees. In the main square of Addis Ababa, gathered citizens watch which way the charred top of the main fire will fall. In that direction in the coming year there will be the most bountiful harvest.

During the celebration, people wear traditional clothes, go to church and visit people.
Children in colorful outfits hand out flower wreaths, go around neighbors and for a monetary reward, girls sing and boys draw pictures.

There is no specific date for the New Year in Saudi Arabia.

On New Year's Day, Italians throw unnecessary trash and old things out of windows. It is believed that the more old things you throw away, the happier you will be in the new year. Italy celebrates the New Year on the night of January 1st. People come out onto the streets decorated with sparkling garlands, traffic is blocked, and performances and fireworks are held in the squares.

In Rome, there is a tradition on a festive night to jump from a bridge into the Tiber River for good luck. And in Venice there is a custom of kissing on New Year's Eve. St. Mark's Square, with the clock striking and the roar of fireworks, is replete with hundreds of kissing couples.

Greece celebrates St. Basil's Day

January 1 in Greece is not only the New Year, but also the Memorial Day of St. Basil,
patron of the poor. The main dish of the festive table is vasilopita, a pie
with patterns of dough, berries and nuts. A coin is baked inside for good luck -
whoever gets a piece of pie with a coin will be the happiest in the new
year. According to legend, this is how Saint Basil distributed his property to the poor.

Greek children expect gifts from St. Basil on New Year's Day, and not from Santa Claus or Father Frost. Children leave their shoes by the fireplace overnight so that in the morning they will find pleasant surprises in them.

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