The earliest Roman calendars had only 10 months and until the 8th century BC the new year began on March 1st. Until 1751 in the UK and colonies (1600 in Scotland), the new year began on March 25th.
New Year customs:
In the UK and many former English colonies there are parties and fireworks and at midnight people will link arms and sing Auld Lang Syne. Many people make New Year’s resolutions.
The Scots welcome the new year with Hogmanay with food and drink. The next day the first person (the ‘first footer’) to visit should be dark-haired and have some coal, bread, money and greenery to bring the household good luck in the coming year.
In Kerala, South India, children on New Year's Day keep their eyes closed until they are led to a special tray holding food, flowers and gifts.
In some parts of southern USA it is believed that eating peas on new year day will bless the family with prosperity and good luck for the rest of the year.
Chinese new year customs include feasting, processions featuring giant dragons, fire crackers and hand made lanterns, and the exchange of red envelopes with coins in them to bring fortune and good luck to the family. Family members pay homage to their ancestors.
On New Year’s eve Koreans place straw sieves on their doors and walls to protect them from evil spirits. Next day they wear new clothes and gather in the home of the eldest male member of the family. Age is calculated on New Year day, meaning everyone becomes one year older on this day.
In Persia, during New Year people visit each other and younger ones receive eidi (money) from the elders.
An older German custom is to drop molten lead into cold water and try to predict the future from the shapes created in the water. Some people may leave food on their dinner plates on New Year’s eve to ensure plenty for the year ahead.
In Spain, it is considered good luck to eat 12 grapes (one for each month ahead) at midnight on New Year’s eve.
The Dutch burn bonfires of Christmas trees to purge the old year and welcome the new.
In Japan, 108 types of human sins and weaknesses are dispelled at midnight of the New Year’s eve when monks at Buddhist temples strike gongs 108 times and signify new start of the year.
New Year’s Day in other countries:
Assyrian New Year (Rish Nissanu) April 1.
Bali: Nyepi, Lunar New Year (usually late-March).
China: varies annually, in 2012, January 23.
India: Nava (new) Varsha (year) in various regions in March–April; Telugu New Year. March or April in Andhra Pradesh; Gudi Padwa, first day of the Hindu in Maharashtra, and Ugadi in Karnataka, and Sindhi festival of Cheti Chand in March or April; Punjabi/Sikh New Year, 14 April; Assam, Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu, 14–15 April; Bangaladesh and West Bengal, Pôhela Boishakh,14–15 April; Hindu new solar year, January 14, Pongal in the south (Makar Sankrat in the north).
Iran: Nowruz 20 or 21 March, the start of spring.
Israel: Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew for 'head of the year') varies annually. In 2012 from sunset September 16 - nightfall September 18.
Kashmir: Navreh (New Year) 19 March.
Nepal: 12–15 April.
South-east Asian countries: The Water Festival, 13–15 April. In Myanmar (Thingyan); Thailand (Songkran); Laos (Pi Mai Lao); Cambodia (Chaul Chnam Thmey).
Sri Lanka: National New Year begins at the time determined by the astrologers.
Superstitions:
Farmers once put a flat cake on a cow’s horn. If it ultimately fell off in front of the cow, good luck was signified.
According to an old Saxon belief, January 2 is one of the year’s unluckiest days.
In some parts of southern USA it is believed that eating peas on new year day will bless the family with prosperity and good luck for the rest of the year.
Babies born on January 1st will be very lucky in life.
In many countries it is believed to be good luck for the year ahead if cupboards are well stocked before New Year and that all bills are paid, and you should wear new clothes on the day.
Some people do not allow anything to go out of the house on January 1st..
More bizarre is the belief that eating chicken or turkey on New Year’s Day is unlucky. If you do, you’ll be scratching for a living all years, they say!
Only do things you’re good at on New Year’s Day too, to ensure success – but don’t do too much work – that’s unlucky too.
No laundry, no loan repayment, no breaking of things – all unlucky on New Year’s Day.
At midnight when the new year arrives, exchange kisses, open all your doors to let the old year out, make a loud noise to scare away evil, and check the wind. If it’s from the south, expect a good year of weather and fortune; from the north, bad weather; from the east, famines and disasters; from the west, lots of milk and fish (!) and the death of a major identity; no wind – good news, a happy year for all.
Important January 1st events:
First traveller’s cheques issue by the London Credit Exchange Company in 1772.
The BBC began broadcasting programmes in 1927.
Traffic policemen introduced in the UK in 1931.
New Year’s food:
Germany: Carp is eaten as it symbolizes wealth and fortune.
Persia: Special rice made with herbs which is called sabzi polo, fish dishes, kuku sabzi, a quiche made with herbs.
Greece: Vassilopitta, or St Basil's cake made with a silver or gold coin baked inside. The finder will be especially lucky during the coming year.
India: At the Hindu festival Pongal in the south (Makar Sankrat in the north) small sesame sweets are served.
(pic: Viscious-Speed)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Do you know any other New Year facts, superstitions and customs to add to this?
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