New Year's holiday
(historical and geographical excursion)

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 old year islanders 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 recorded and subscribed to 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 is timed to coincide with the winter new moon at the end of the full lunar cycle, which took place after 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. "Paris Dictionary of the Muscovites" (XVI century) preserved Russian name new year 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 New Year's celebration in Russia began to celebrate 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, festivities. According to tradition, the house is set Christmas tree. 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 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 a holiday celebrated by many peoples of the world. Not in all countries they meet him on the night of January 1, but everywhere they love and appreciate him. Already from the first days of December in all villages and cities there is a feeling of the approach of this winter celebration, which is considered the main holiday of the year. This is a day off, which in Russia also marks the beginning of a common, rather long, vacation. Traditionally, it is celebrated at home, next to the closest people, the holiday is considered a family holiday.

history of the holiday

On the night of December 31 to January 1, the New Year is not celebrated in all countries of the world. Very often, the main winter holiday is Christmas, and New Year's celebrations either end the Christmas period if Christmas is celebrated on December 25, or start in countries where Christmas is celebrated on January 7. In most countries of Southeast Asia, January 1 is a regular day, the new year is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, and in Israel, the main New Year's festivities take place in September, when Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated. No celebrations in new year's eve in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Iran, India, China, Saudi Arabia.

New Year is one of the main holidays of mankind, which can rightfully be considered one of the first to appear. It was celebrated as early as the third millennium BC in Mesopotamia. Historians assure that the holiday is even more ancient, this tradition is not less than five thousand years old. The ancient Egyptians celebrated it in a manner similar to modern day celebrations, with nightly festivities. Their New Year came in September, when the Nile flooded, which was an extremely important event. On January 1, Julius Caesar began to celebrate the holiday, he also established the custom of decorating houses.

In Rus', it was celebrated for a long time in spring and autumn, until Peter I postponed the celebration to early January. It is curious that in all Christian countries the New Year is a somewhat minor holiday compared to Christmas. In our country, this celebration is considered the main one for the reason that under the Soviet regime it was strictly forbidden to celebrate all church events.

New Year is one of the oldest and most joyful holidays in the world.. At the same time, it is surprising that there is no other holiday that would be celebrated all over the world on such different dates and whose traditions would be so different. In Russia, as in most European countries, as well as in the USA and Australia, the new year begins on January 1st. Back in 1700, the Russian Tsar Peter I issued a decree according to which the New Year should be celebrated. People decorated houses with pine, spruce and juniper branches, arranged fiery fun and festive firing. Over time, they began to decorate the Christmas trees brought into the house. So the green Christmas tree turned into one of the symbols of this holiday, becoming its main decoration, along with Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden. By the way, Santa Clauses look different in all countries. Our Russian Santa Claus wears a red fur coat to the toes, felt boots, a high fur hat, and holds a staff and a bag with gifts in his hands.

In America, New Year's grandfather - Santa Claus - wears a short red jacket and a funny cap on his head. He travels through the air on a reindeer team and enters the homes of babies through a chimney.

In Belgium and Poland new year grandfather St. Nicholas is considered the very first Santa Claus, because, as the ancient, pre-ancient legend says, he left golden apples in a slipper in front of the fireplace to his family. St. Nicholas wears a white robe and rides a horse, accompanied by a Moorish servant, Black Peter, who helps carry a heavy bag of gifts for obedient children.

Naughty people do not receive gifts - for them, Black Peter wears rods.

In France, a grandfather with a staff and a wide-brimmed hat, whose name is Pere Noel ("Christmas Grandfather"), puts gifts right up the chimney.

The Swedish grandfather - Jologomten - stacks gifts by the stove, and the German Santa Claus leaves his gifts on the windowsill.

Mexican kids find gifts in the shoe, and English kids in the sock. At the first stroke of the clock at New Year's midnight, the English and Scots open the back door of the house to let out the Old Year, and at the last stroke of the clock they open the front door, letting in the New Year.

In Italy, on New Year's Eve, grandpa Babo Nattale and the good fairy Befana visit the children. They give obedient children gifts that they leave on the balcony, while lazy and capricious children get only coal. And on New Year's Eve, Italians throw old things out of windows - cracked flower pots, peeled chairs, holey boots fly onto the pavement ... The more things you throw away, the inhabitants of sunny Italy believe, the more wealth the new year will bring.

The funniest name, perhaps, is that of the Finnish Santa Claus - Joulupukki (in Finnish, "youlu" is Christmas, and "pukki" is a goat). This name was not given to him by chance: many years ago he wore a goat skin and delivered gifts to children riding on a small goat.

Joulupukki is not far behind the Uzbek snow grandfather Korbobo, who, dressed in a striped robe, delivers gifts to the kids on a donkey. The snow maiden Korgyz accompanies him. In Mongolia, grandfather Uvlin Uvgun wears the clothes of a cattle breeder, because the Mongolian New Year coincides with the festival of cattle breeding.

Australian Santa Claus named Sylvester cuts through the country kangaroos in the same swimming trunks and on a scooter: on a holiday it is unusually hot there. The local Snow Maiden in a bathing suit helps Sylvester deliver gifts.

In Greece and Cyprus, the New Year's grandfather is called St. Basil, in Spain - Papa Noel, in Cambodia - Ded Zhar, in Colombia - Pascual, in the Netherlands - Sunderklaas, in Romania - Mosh Jerile, in the Czech Republic - Grandfather Mikulash.

But, for example, in Norway, gifts to children are distributed by little brownies - nisse. They wear knitted caps and are very fond of sweets. Therefore, in order to appease them and get more gifts, on New Year's Eve, children lay out various delicacies around the house in secluded corners.

In India, on New Year's Eve, parents place small gifts on a tray, and on New Year's Day, children must wait with their eyes closed until they are brought to the tray.

In Japan, on New Year's Eve, bunches of straw are hung in front of the entrance to the house, which, according to residents, attracts happiness and scares away evil spirits. At the time of the New Year, the Japanese begin to laugh, believing that laughter will bring them good luck in the coming year. The Japanese Santa Claus is called Oji-san.

In Belgium and the Netherlands, there is a belief that a person's behavior on the first day of the new year determines what awaits him in the coming year. Therefore, on this day, people try to do nothing. They prepare a lot of delicious food in advance and put on something new.

In Hungary, on the morning of the first day of the new year, they wash their hands not with soap, but with coins - so that money is not transferred in their hands all year.

In the Balkan countries, for the New Year, various objects are laid out on the table: a pine twig (for happiness), a ring (for a wedding), a doll (for the birth of a child), money (for wealth) and cover them with a fur hat. Then everyone sitting at the table must pull out an object three times, and if he gets the same one three times, this means that in the new year the event that this object symbolizes awaits him.

In Iran, even a few weeks before the New Year, grains of wheat or barley are planted in a small dish: sprouted grains symbolize the beginning of spring and the new year of life.

The clever Chinese celebrate the onset of the New Year twice: on January 1, and again somewhere between January 23 and February 19 - the date changes all the time, since on this day the New Year begins, calculated according to the Chinese lunar calendar.

Celebrating the New Year during the new moon is an amazingly beautiful sight! Street processions with firecrackers and firecrackers scare away evil spirits from the houses, and so that they definitely do not get inside, the residents seal the windows and doors with paper. Chinese New Year grandfather Shou Xing takes part in all this fun.

Preparations for the New Year in Eastern countries, as elsewhere, begin long before the holiday. In about two weeks, festive bazaars open in all crowded squares, where you can buy various toys, stars, lanterns of various sizes and shapes - in the form of fish, dragons, horses, birds. Candles are lit inside these bizarre figurines. A lot of toys molded from dough are sold these days: warriors with swords riding horses, boats with rowers in colorful clothes, amazingly beautiful lotuses, figures of animals and birds. And also clay figurines of animals and people.

In Vietnam, the New Year usually starts in February. Local residents believe that God lives in every house, and in the new year this God goes to heaven to tell the Supreme Lord in detail how each family member spent the past year.

On a certain day, before the image of the Spirit of the hearth, people light candles and incense sticks and also put sweet dishes. Sweets are offered for a reason - so that the Spirit's lips stick together and he does not say too much there, in heaven. And since the Vietnamese believe that God swims on the back of a carp, on a holiday they buy a live carp and then release it into a river or pond. In addition, in Vietnam for the New Year, you should definitely buy a hat, which are also sold in New Year's markets in a variety of styles and colors.

There is a special attitude to hats in the East. The hat is there a symbol of power and an indispensable attribute of the wardrobe of a big boss.

In Korea, for the New Year, at numerous Christmas tree markets, they sell not Christmas trees, like ours, but peach branches and trees, symbolizing the onset of spring.

The colorful rituals that accompany the celebration of the New Year in the East have a very definite meaning. In addition to the incessant crackling of firecrackers that drive out evil spirits so that they do not overshadow the holiday, there are many more traditions. The celebration of the New Year, as a rule, lasts for several days. On the second day, you must definitely visit your parents and close relatives if they live separately, and on the third day, do not forget to go to the teacher and congratulate him. In the first days of the new year, you can’t wear white clothes (in the East it is the color of mourning), you can’t talk about death, make faces, imitating monkeys, and take out the trash.

And in some countries, the New Year is generally celebrated not in the winter months. So, in Indonesia, this event falls on October. On the first day of the new year, all the people there ask each other for forgiveness for the trouble they caused in the past year. In Burma, the New Year celebration falls on the hottest days of April. Starting from April 1, for a whole week, people sincerely pour water on each other and have fun at the New Year's Tinjan Water Festival. Iranians celebrate the New Year on March 21st.

Most of all, Jews celebrate the New Year - as many as four times. At the beginning of autumn, during the harvest season, there comes a feast of sacrifice to God of the harvested fruits. Turning to the Almighty, people ask to save the harvest. From this holiday, the ancient Jews counted the days of the new year.

Later, in mid-September, Jews celebrate Adam's birthday and Rosh Hashanah. It is considered the beginning of the New Year for the reckoning.

It is believed that on this day the Lord determines how a person lived. Therefore, on this holiday, people rejoice in the past year and pray for peace, harmony and happiness in the next year. The prayer says: “May this year be kind and sweet!” In the festive meal, there is certainly honey, in which you need to dip pieces of apple and bread.

At the beginning of spring, Jews celebrate the New Year of Trees - in Israel, almonds bloom at this time. People welcome the blossoming buds and the first green leaves, thereby honoring the beginning of a new life in the promised land. It is customary to plant trees on this day. And, of course, everyone celebrates the traditional New Year - January 1st. In fact, it doesn’t matter when and how people celebrate the New Year or what the name of the snow grandfather is, the main thing is that on New Year’s Eve all kind and obedient children always receive wonderful gifts from Santa Claus!

You can always write a letter to Santa Claus at the following addresses:

Official postal address:

162340, Russia, Vologda region, the city of Veliky Ustyug, the house of Father Frost.

Moscow residence:

109472, Russia, Moscow, Kuzminsky forest, Grandfather Frost.

And remember, baby, that Santa Claus answers every letter sent to him, and his friends help him in this - the Snow Maiden, the Bunny and other fairy-tale characters!

Lace on the window

Hoarfrost braids -

It's New Year's Eve

Zimushka meets.

Crystal frost on glass

painted patterns,

New Year's Eve, blue

Visible through curtains.

Santa Claus is at the door

Like in a fairy tale:

He brought a lot of gifts

Kindness and kindness!

Sleeping magical winter forest

The year is running out.

Bring a bag of miracles

Santa Claus as a gift!

Happy New Year! With a new rise

With a new turn in life!

Let the paths sweep

Snowfall is a prankster,

New Year is coming to us -

The kindest holiday!

And let the frost hit

White mischief!

New Year will give us all

Joy, laughter and happiness!

Christmas tree - beauty

All the guys like

She's all in toys

Beads, rattles,

Here garlands and balls

Look at the branches:

They hang there for the kids

delicious sweets,

And under the Christmas tree is a car

Doll, plush pig,

Locomotive, lotto, coloring pages,

Scooter, constructor, fairy tales!

On the paths, without paths,

Through impassable thicket

Winter SUV rushes

Only he's not real.

No asphalt, no gravel,

And around the trunks of birches.

That car is magical

And Santa Claus sits in it!

By car, like a bird,

Grandfather with a bag rushes through the forest

He must be in time for the children,

Warm congratulations to everyone!

We sculpted a woman with Vovka,

We tried not to hurry.

Baba came out - a nose with a carrot,

White, good!

Sticks - like eyebrows,

And a bucket on the head.

Let's call for the New Year

Snow beauty!

Get up with us in a round dance,

All friends will love it!

Wrapped in a snow-white blizzard,

The long-awaited New Year has come to us.

May he fulfill plans and hopes,

And bring love and happiness to the house!

New Year is the most favorite holiday of most adults and children, because on the night of December 31 to January 1 (and in most countries the beginning of the year falls on these dates), real miracles happen!

With impatience, excitement and joy, people are waiting for the onset of the solemn night. Preparation for the holiday begins in advance, and by the end of December the streets of cities are already sparkling with might and main, and in every house there is a decorated Christmas tree.

A festive atmosphere reigns everywhere: in homes, shops, restaurants.

A pleasant New Year's fuss covers everyone without exception. People go shopping in search of gifts for their friends and relatives, choose the most beautiful outfits and think over the menu of the festive table.

The history of the holiday

The history of the celebration of the New Year goes back to Mesopotamia, where the tradition was born to celebrate the spring awakening of nature, this happened in the month of March. Even then, the fun lasted more than a week. Nobody worked these days, people went to festivities and funny masquerades.

Later, the custom of celebrating the New Year was adopted by the Greeks, then by the Egyptians and Romans.

On what date this holiday fell among the pagans, before the baptism of Rus', is still unknown, but the fact is that the celebration of the New Year coincided with the end of winter.

With the advent of the new chronology associated with the baptism of Rus', the date of March 1 was assigned to the holiday, later it moved to September 1.

In 1699, Tsar Peter I issued a decree on the celebration of the New Year on January 1. This was done following the example of all European countries that lived according to the Gregorian calendar.

New Year traditions

Each country has its own New Year traditions, but there are several holiday customs that people all over the world observe.

What is customary to do for the New Year?

• Get together with the whole family.

Most people tend to celebrate the holiday in a warm, cozy, homely atmosphere. Raise glasses of foaming champagne, make a wish in the circle of family and friends, sit at the festive table - these are the things that are valued in all countries of the world!

• Decorate the house.

It has been customary to create a festive atmosphere in the house since ancient times. How our ancestors did not decorate their homes! Basically, it was something edible: apples, nuts, potatoes and even eggs. Much later, glass balls, garlands and other familiar decor elements appeared. Choice today Christmas decorations so large that it will not be difficult to choose exactly what will make your home unique and fabulous.

• Give gifts.

No New Year is complete without gifts. So it was before, people congratulated each other on the end of the old year and the beginning of something completely beautiful.

The tradition of giving gifts is certainly one of the most enjoyable!

New Year's signs

"MIR 24" made a selection of the most unusual New Year's signs from different countries:

• In Vietnam, it is believed that the home god goes to heaven on the back of a carp on New Year's Eve, so people buy live fish for the holiday in advance in order to release it into a body of water at night. Thus, the god who protects the house is provided with transport for the whole next year.
• Residents of the island of Cyprus put out the lights in their homes for a while at midnight, because they believe that darkness will bring them good luck in the new year.
• Many Italians at the height of the holiday throw old things out of the windows, and at that moment they themselves are dressed exclusively in red underwear!
• The Chinese do not use scissors, knives and other sharp objects on New Year's Eve, so as not to accidentally "cut off" the well-being and good luck that come to the house along with the holiday.
• The French consider the wheel as a symbol of a happy new year, so they often present it as a gift to their friends and family.

Christmas tree

Decorating the Christmas tree for the New Year is customary in many countries. Not only spruce, but also any coniferous tree (pine, fir, and so on) can serve as a symbol of the holiday.

The history of this tradition began a very long time ago. Since ancient times, people believed in the power of the World Tree, which was a symbol of life.

Almost all peoples revered it was evergreens. At first, they were dressed up in the forests or near houses, without cutting them off. Later, people began to put trees in their homes, this tradition is still preserved, but artificial plants are increasingly replacing living plants.

It is customary to decorate the Christmas tree with balls, lights, lanterns, garlands, cones, sweets. Many adhere to a certain color scheme that corresponds to the coming year.

New Year's table

The New Year's table should traditionally be rich, however, everyone decides for himself what dishes to cook.

"MIR 24" has chosen 5 interesting dishes that decorate

New Year's tables of people from different countries:

• England, Christmas pudding

In almost every house in England, there is a sweet dessert made from flour, candied fruit, lemon peel, apples, raisins, nuts and spices on the table. The dish begins to be prepared a month before the celebration! This makes it even more desirable, especially for younger family members.

• USA, stuffed turkey

Turkey is very fond of cooking on different holidays in the United States of America, the New Year is no exception. The filling of the bird can be absolutely anything, each family prepares a dish according to its own recipe.

• Austria and Hungary, strudel

The traditional dessert takes its place of honor on New Year's table. It is usually served with ice cream and beautifully decorated with nuts, berries and syrup.

• Japan, Mochi cakes

Delicate rice dough cakes not only put on festive table on New Year's Eve, but also distributed to visiting friends, neighbors and relatives.

• Germany, pork knuckle

The favorite dish of all Germans is sure to be on the table on New Year's Eve! The knuckle is usually boiled in beer, and served with sauerkraut, potatoes and other side dishes.

Father Frost

The kindest fairy-tale character that all children look forward to is, of course, Santa Claus.

An old man with a long gray beard, who arrives on a troika of horses late at night, when everyone is already asleep, quietly enters the houses and leaves gifts under the tree.

The history of the appearance of this character is rooted in ancient times, when there was still paganism. The almighty god Morozko personified the beautiful winter, was a generous giver of frosts and snowstorms. With the adoption of Christianity, Morozko began to be presented as a negative hero, and only in Soviet times did the image of a kind grandfather return.

For many years, children have had a tradition of writing letters to Santa Claus, who lives with his granddaughter Snegurochka in the city of Veliky Ustyug, it is from there that he comes on New Year's Eve with gifts that everyone is looking forward to!

New Year films

Nothing inspires people before the holiday like watching movies filled with a fabulous atmosphere and the magic of the New Year.

If you are still not in the New Year's mood, free the evening from business, cook fragrant mulled wine or cocoa, take a warm blanket and choose a movie from our holiday selection. We guarantee that any of them will give you that very holiday feeling that is so necessary in last days outgoing year.

Favorite Christmas movies around the world:

• "Alone at home"
• "Miracle on 34th Street"
• "Merry Christmas"
• "Sorcerers"
• "Exchange Vacation"
• "Irony of Fate or Enjoy Your Bath!"
• "Christmas tale"
• "Christmas Trees"
• "Carnival Night"
• "The Grinch Stole Christmas"

Christmas cartoons

Not only children, but also adults love cartoons. And even more so New Year's Eve!

What could be better than getting together with the whole family and plunging into a fairy-tale world?

We bring to your attention a list of New Year's cartoons that will fill your home with the atmosphere of the upcoming holiday!

• "Cold heart"
• "Snowman Postman"
• "Winter in Prostokvashino"
• "Last year's snow fell"
• "The nightmare before christmas"
• "Nutcracker"
• "Penguins of Madagascar on a Christmas Adventure"
• "Chrismas story"

New Year's songs

New Year is a noisy and cheerful holiday! Of course, it does not pass without songs, many of which have become so firmly established in our lives that it is already difficult to imagine this magical celebration without them.

Here are a few New Year's songs that must be played on the night of December 31 to January 1 in every home:

• "Jingle Bells"
• "Happy New Year"
• "Let it Snow"
• Last Christmas
• "New Year's"
• "Song about 5 minutes"

Baby new year songs:

• "If there was no winter"
• "The Forest Raised a Christmas Tree"
• "Tell me, Snow Maiden, where were you"

IN different countries it is celebrated according to the 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.

The most ancient holiday

New Year is the most ancient holiday, and in different countries it was celebrated and continues to be celebrated in different time. 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.

IN Ancient Egypt for centuries, the flood of the Nile River (between July and September) was celebrated, 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.

Solar chronology

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.

Chinese New Year

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.

Julian calendar

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 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 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.

Traditions

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.

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. To do this, everyone puts on 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 onset of the New Year, members of the whole family sit near a lit fireplace, and with the first strike of the clock, the head of the family must open 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 crosses their threshold first in the new year. According to another Greek tradition, the eldest member of the family should break the 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.