New Year's Day
New Year's Day
New Year is the first day of a year. By extension the term also refers to the celebrations of the first day of the year.
Like every anniversary of a given calendar day of the year may seem to move in an operating schedule following a different logic. For example, the Chinese New Year calendar (lunisolar) appears as a movable date in the Gregorian calendar (solar calendar).
Difference between the calendars
Although Days of the year rarely fall on the same date from one calendar to another, there is a relative consistency between those of temperate countries. Indeed, this was interpreted as the "disappearance" of vegetation during the winter and its rebirth in spring fueled the widespread myth of the rebirth cycle of the year. Thus a large number of Days of the year is celebrated between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox.
However, this is not universal, especially in tropical countries, where the cycle of seasons is much less tangible.
One example is ancient Egypt, which (though it used a solar civil calendar) celebrated the new year at the annual arrival of the Nile flood. This flood was caused by rainfall occurring far upstream (in the highlands), the date was entirely dependent on weather. However, it occurred generally in the same period.
Different calendars with the dates matching their New Year in the Gregorian calendar:
* School Year (varies by country)
* Calendar Attic: new moon after the summer solstice (June or July)
* Chinese Calendar: between January 20 and February 18;
* Ancient Egyptian calendar: July 19 (during the flooding of the Nile);
* Ethiopian Calendar: Sept. 11;
* Fixed schedule: January 1.
* Hebrew calendar: Rosh Hashana (September or October) and beginnings of lunar year, fiscal, agricultural
* Julian calendar: to Jan. 14, date still used by some countries or communities (Berber calendar ,...)
* Roman liturgical calendar (the first Sunday of Advent in late November)
* Calendar Muslim liturgical calendar in most Muslim countries and offcial in some others.
* Nanakshahi Calendar, a Sikh calendars: March 14 (1 Chet).
* Persian Zoroastrian calendar: March 21 (vernal equinox);
* Universal Calendar: January 1st;
* Republican Calendar (French Revolution): 1 Vendemiaire (22 September), the autumnal equinox;
In ancient Egypt, the New Year's Day was the first day of the calendar, the first day of the first month of the season flooding of crops from the Nile: the I Akhet 1. The I Akhet symbolically 1 corresponded to the flooding of the Nile, although this was not always the case because the ancient Egyptian calendar is shifting each year. Thus, this date was in it a strong connotation of revival beneficial, the flooding of the Nile is vital to the Egyptians because it deposited silt on the crops, thus good harvests.
It is symbolically the New Year's Day of the Year VII of the reign of Thutmose III, Hatshepsut proclaimed (on the walls of the temple of Deir el-Bahari) that his "coronation" took place. In fact, he actually took place between 1 and II Peret IV Chemou 30, be much later in the year, according to the inscriptions of the obelisk still only erected at Karnak. So ideally it proclaims his coronation on the day of the year to take advantage of the symbolic significance of that date.
The New Year's Day was also an opportunity to make offerings to the dead and the gods, especially Re, whose birthday was supposed to be the New Year. Similarly, a procession of vases filled with "new water" ran from the Nile river to the temples. In temples, they proceeded to the rites of illuminations, and we also took advantage to rededicate the gods.
In 46 BC, the Roman emperor Julius Caesar decreed that January 1 would be the New Year. The Romans dedicated this day to Janus, the god of doorways and beginnings. January is named after Janus, the latter had two faces, one facing forward and one backward.
As indicated by the etymology of September (September, seven months), October (october, eighth month), November (November, ninth month) and December (december, tenth month), the ancient Roman calendar had the month March (Martius) for first month.
However, with the advent of the Republic, the Romans became accustomed to distinguish between years indicating the name of a consul, Consulate is a judiciary whose term lasts one year. This is known as consular years. In -153, the day of the inauguration of the consuls, previously scheduled for 15 March, going from 1 January.
Thus it seems quite natural that a January 1, the year -45, that Julius Caesar, who then began his fourth term as consul, had started the Julian calendar, which amended certain terms of calculating dates. The Julian calendar is still used today by the Serbian Orthodox Church and Russian.
Thanks to Ovid (born -43, died at 17), who undertook to describe every month of the year in fast, we know some of Roman customs observed on January 1: A cult was rendered to Janus, the god of doors and beginnings, with animal sacrifices and offerings of fruit and honey. We opened the doors of the temples. This day was considered the first of the year and we exchanged greetings, but he was working, at least symbolically, as a sign of economic prosperity. As it was a lucky day, the courts were in operation. Dressed in white robes, the Romans in procession accompanied the new consuls from their home to the Capitoline temple of Jupiter.
France, on New Year's Day was not always January 1: New Year begins on that date since 1564. It was King Charles IX who, in the Edict of Roussillon, 9 August 1564, fixed the start of the year to January 1. For people making use of the solar calendar, the New Year's Day has changed over the centuries, at the option of Churches, eras and countries.
The sixth and seventh centuries, in many provinces, the New Year's Day was celebrated on March 1. Under Charlemagne, the year began on Christmas. Time of the Capetian kings, the year began on Easter Day. Accordingly, years were highly variable length. This practice was almost universal in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries and even until the fifteenth in some provinces. Genealogists of the kings of France were then juggle the dates depending on the place to recount the history because before the start of the year varied by province: in Lyon, was Dec. 25 in Vienna, March 25 ... The edict of Charles IX put everyone agrees.
In 1622, this was generalized by the Pope to the whole Catholic world, especially to simplify the calendar of religious holidays.
In 1792 the Republican calendar abolished on 1 January, and start the year on 1 Vendemiaire.
In the West, it is customary to celebrate the New Year with a banquet the night before, that is to say, December 31: the eve of New Year's Eve. This meal usually consists of foie gras and champagne. After this, the feasts and dances blend throws confetti, balls and strips of paper ... At midnight everyone kisses, sometimes under the mistletoe, by wishing the best wishes possible and in engaging in any good intentions. Then they offered gifts, gifts new year.
There are however some peculiarities in different countries:
In the province of Liege, January 1, it is traditional to eat sauerkraut with family, a part under the plate in hand or pocket for money throughout the year.
In Spain, people eat one grape for each of the 12 strokes of midnight. All Spanish follows this tradition, they live in Spain or abroad. The campanas (bells) ring throughout Spain, in every city. This event is also broadcast live, on TV and radio. In recent years, a trend is not widespread in Spain also wear red underwear for the occasion.
Formerly, among the Moors, especially in the area of Granada and the Alpujarras, we ate a pomegranate (fruit) with 12 strokes of midnight.
In Savoy, in the New Year and in January, we gave candy cones or money to children, called gifts, every time we visited with family members. The New Year's Day, we visited friends in wishing a happy new year.
At this time of year as domestic helpers, caretakers, janitors, etc.., Receive their gifts, a sum of money paid by the employer which rewards the quality of service rendered during the past year.
In Rome and Naples, we welcome the new year with a peculiar custom on the evening of December 31. This tradition involves throwing away old objects, symbols of the year completed. And furniture, dishes, clothes, etc.., Take the path of the street to the chagrin of scavengers who must spend the night to clean the streets. This tradition, however, tends to disappear because it is not safe for pedestrians.
The New Year's Day, called Capodanno, the Italians used to eat special foods that are deemed to bring wealth and abundance. These are dishes based on grains, such as buns, or lentil dishes or cakes coated with honey.
Oudejaarsdag and oud nieuw or day of the previous year (31 December) is celebrated by an excess of fireworks at dawn and late into the night. It's the only day of the year when their use is allowed following their free sale only three days earlier.
In Portugal, the tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight is too dry practiced (doze ago), but we eat them with both feet on a chair, then it gets out of the right foot for luck. It may also throw out the window of the old dishes, usually blue dishes with traditional designs. There are other traditions in different regions of Portugal.
In Canada, the new year can be an excuse to celebrate with family. Many people prefer to celebrate the transition to the new year in a bar.
Ecuador and Peru
Ecuador and Peru, shortly before the New Year, mannequins are manufactured from rags or paper mache that represent the year just passed. It exposes these models (Muñecos) at home before 31 at night until midnight and then burn them in the streets. It also makes all sorts of things explode like firecrackers, fireworks, etc..
There is also a superstition that says if you wear a particular color on itself in the 12 stroke of midnight, it will bring good luck in some areas for the new year, such as yellow for silver, red for love, etc.. In the same vein, one who wishes to travel throughout the year should run around the block a suitcase in hand at midnight.
The Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes while making a wish for the twelve strokes of midnight is also observed.
At home we decorate the table with baskets of fruit, corn, wheat, rice, cinnamon, yellow flowers.
At Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), the "parade of mimes" (Mummers Parade in English) is held every January 1. The associations of the city, called New Years Associations compete in four categories. They prepare for months of costumes and mobile stages. Approximately 15,000 people attend the parade each year. The first such parade was held in 1901.
In Cambodia, New Year, called Chaul Chhnam, is celebrated for three days, to April 15.
In China, just write and run their vows in a "Wishing Tree". It is then necessary that this paper takes all evening to the wish comes true. Chinese New Year is also celebrated with spectacular fireworks and explosions of firecrackers.
The day of the year in Korea called Saehae or Seol-nal. Koreans eat soup tteok (tteokgook).
New Year's Eve (Omisoka) usually happens in family around a hearty meal washed down with sake. They drink soup (miso) special. Before midnight, the family moved to the nearest temple to share some sake and watch the hits of the 108 strokes of the gong announcing the transition to the new year (this figure is supposed to represent the number of sins accumulated throughout a soul year, and this gesture was removed the sins one by one impure souls. Shortly after, everyone joined up shop and go to bed shortly after. The next day, New Year's Day, the Japanese visit Shinto temples.
In Russia, for Novii God, the Russian New Year, we drink champagne under the 12 strokes of midnight, after the 12th shot we open the door or window so that the New Year enters the house. The presidential address is a ritual that few Russians are evading.
Thailand and Laos
New Year, called Songkran, is celebrated for three days, to April 15, following the Buddhist lunar calendar.
In Tibet, the festivals of the new year (Losar) have a pre-Buddhist origin and date back to the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsenpo, whose reign began in the year -127 in the second century BC. AD. The year of his inauguration marks the first year of the Tibetan calendar. So in honor of the first king of Tibet is celebrated the Tibetan New Year, Losar.
Losar, the first day of the Tibetan year, coincides with the first day of the new lunar year. The date is chosen according to Tibetan astrology, material studied in the context of studies in traditional Tibetan medicine.
Many evenings and all restaurants are full. There are often fireworks. We drink champagne with 12 strokes of midnight, everyone holding hands and singing Auld Lang Syne, a Scottish song.
Religious or community
* Awal Muharram, New Year of the Hegira
* Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year
* Norouz, the Persian New Year
* Yennayer, New Year Berber
* We Tripantu, the Mapuche New Year, is the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere.
Wish the New Year in different languages
The New Year is the opportunity to wish the best things possible for the coming year to people around him. The simplest version is just like "a good year," but it was not uncommon to use longer formulas to express their desires more specific.
* English: Happy New Year (literally: Happy New Year).
* Breton: Bloavezh mad (literally: Good Year).
Many versions of the long form, including "Bloavezh mad, mad yec'hed prosperity ha, hag ar da end o Baradoz puhez" (literally: Good Year, good health and prosperity, and heaven at the end of your life).
* Korean: Saehae bok mani bat had sae yo (literally: I wish you Happy New Year and best wishes).
* Corsican: Pace e salute (literally, peace and health).
* Spanish: Prospero año nuevo (literally: Prosperous New Year), Feliz año nuevo (literally: Happy New Year).
* French: Happy New Year, Happy New Year, or Happy New Year
Long Form: Happy New Year, good health.
* Indonesian: Selamat Ulang Tahun (literally: Welcome back to year).
* Italian: Buon anno (literally: Happy New Year), Felice anno nuovo (literally: Happy New Year)
* Dutch: Gelukkig nieuwjaar (literally: Happy New Year).
* Provence: Good after year (desired in Provence between Christmas and New Year's Day)
* Russian: С новым годом - S novym Godoma (literally: with the new year).
* Ukrainian: З новим роком - Z novym rokom (literally: with the new year).
Long Form: Я вітаю з новим роком - Ya vitayu z novym rokom (literally: I congratulate you on the occasion of the new year).
Щасливого нового року - Chtchaslyvoho novoho rokou (literally: happy new year).
Long Form: Я зичу / бажаю щасливого нового року - Ya zytchou / bajayou chtchaslyvoho rokou (literally: I wish you a happy new year).
* Vietnamese: Chuc mung nam moi (literally wishes happy new year)
See also Chinese New Year Festival