New Year's customs and traditions for celebrating the New Year. Traditions of celebrating the New Year in different countries of the world Ancient customs of celebrating the New Year

The custom of celebrating the New Year originated a long time ago, in the third millennium. It originates in Mesopotamia. At the end of March, as soon as the water in the rivers began to rise, all work related to agriculture began. At that time, people cheerfully celebrated the onset of spring time for 12 days, accompanied by carnivals and masquerades. In these days they believed that the holy god Marduk was achieving bright victories over the forces of death and destruction. This wonderful period was symbolized by freedom, the cessation of work and all kinds of punishment. Over time, the tradition of New Year's celebration passed to all peoples of the world.

When did they start celebrating the New Year in Rus'?

In the calendar of the ancient Slavs, years were counted from"creation of the world"which occurred 5508 years BC. The New Year began on March 1- with the beginning of spring work in the fields. In the 10th century (988), the baptism of Rus' took place, and with it came a new calendar. Now in Ancient Rus' the New Year began in the church way on March 1, and in the civil way on September 1.

In 6850 (1342), Metropolitan Theognosty abolished the March New Year, leaving only September for both the church and the laity. And on December 15, 1699, when in Russia the year 7208 was counted from the “creation of the world,” Peter I issued a Decree that ordered “to count the New Year not from September 1, but from January 1 of this year, 1700, and as a sign of that good undertaking and of the new centenary century, in joyful congratulations to each other on the New Year, and the day after December 31, 7208 from the “creation of the world” is considered January 1, 1700 from the “Nativity of Christ”.

On the morning of January 1, 1700, Peter I himself commanded the festive procession, which ended with a thunderous salute from 200 cannons. And in the evening in the dark skyMulti-colored lights flashed. This is how Rus' celebrated the New Year “European style” for the first time - in winter.

From now on and forever, this holiday was enshrined in the Russian calendar. This is how the New Year came to us, with Christmas tree decorations, lights, bonfires (which Peter ordered to be arranged at night from January 1 to 7 by lighting tar barrels), the creaking of snow in the cold, winter children's fun: sleds, skis, skates, snow women, Santa Claus, gifts...

It must be said that the new New Year's customs took root among the Slavs quite quickly, because previously the holiday of Christmastide was celebrated at the same time. And many old rituals: funny carnivals, mummers' pranks, sleigh rides, midnight fortune-telling and round dances around the Christmas tree fit well into the ritual of celebrating the New Year.

Traditions of celebrating the New Year in different countries

In the old days they said that winter releases from under forest snags and rotten logs not only blizzards, but also evil spirits. Therefore, at this unusual time they told fortunes, performed fabulous rituals, and spoke to evil spirits.

Celebrating the New Year is an ancient tradition that exists among all peoples of the world, because “both for the New Year and for the whole year.” That's why we tried to prepare as many treats and gifts as possible.

All peoples of the world celebrate the New Year according to their customs and traditions.

In England, in addition to the Christmas tree, the house is decorated with mistletoe branches. There are even mistletoe bouquets on lamps and chandeliers, and, according to custom, you can kiss a person standing in the middle of the room under a mistletoe bouquet.

In Italy, on New Year's Eve it is customary to get rid of old unnecessary things, and Christmas is marked by the burning of the Christmas log.

In France, Father Christmas - Père Noel - comes on New Year's Eve and leaves gifts in children's shoes. The one who gets the bean baked into the New Year's pie receives the title of "bean king", and on the festive night everyone obeys his orders. Wooden or clay figurines - santons - are placed near the Christmas tree.

In Sweden, before the New Year, children choose the Queen of Light, Lucia. She is dressed in a white dress, and a crown with lit candles is placed on her head. Lucia brings gifts for children and treats for pets: cream for the cat, a sugar bone for the dog, and carrots for the donkey.

Happy New Year in Bulgaria. When people gather around the festive table, the lights in all houses are turned off for three minutes. These minutes are called “minutes of New Year’s kisses,” the secret of which is preserved by darkness.

In Colombia, the main hero of the New Year's carnival is considered to be the Old New Year; he walks around on high stilts and tells funny stories to children. Papa Pasquale - Colombian Santa Claus - arranges fireworks.

In Cuba, before the New Year, all jugs, buckets, basins and bowls are filled with water, and at midnight the water is poured out of the windows. So they wish the outgoing year a path as bright as water. While the clock strikes 12 times, you need to eat 12 grapes, and then goodness, harmony, prosperity and peace will accompany a person all year.

In Mexico, the New Year is celebrated with festive fireworks, firing from rocket launchers, and the ringing of special New Year's bells. And children are given delicious gingerbread dolls at midnight.

In Japan, bells are rung 108 times on New Year's Eve. Each strike of the bell corresponds to one of the vices. There are six of them in total: greed, stupidity, anger, frivolity, indecisiveness and envy, but each vice has 18 different shades, which in total amounts to 108 strokes of the bell.

In Myanmar, the New Year comes during the hottest time of the year, so its arrival is celebrated with the so-called “water festival”, when people throw water on each other when they meet. The tradition of pouring water is a kind of wish for happiness in the New Year.

How old is Santa Claus?

Imagine that in some countries the ancestors of Santa Claus are considered to be local gnomes singing Christmas songs, medieval wandering jugglers, and wandering sellers of children's toys.

There is an opinion that among the relatives of Father Frost is the East Slavic spirit of cold Treskun, aka Studenets, Frost. The image of Santa Claus has evolved over centuries, and each nation has contributed something of its own to its history.

However, among the elder’s ancestors there was also a very real person. In the 4th century, Archbishop Nicholas lived in the Turkish city of Myra. According to legend, he was a very kind man. So, one day he saved three daughters of a poor family by throwing bundles of gold through the window of their house. After the death of Nicholas, he was declared a saint. However, soon after this, the church in which he was buried was robbed by Italian pirates. They stole the remains of the saint and took them to their homeland.

The parishioners of the Church of St. Nicholas were outraged. An international scandal broke out. This story caused so much noise that Nicholas became the object of veneration and worship of Christians from different countries of the world.

In the Middle Ages, the custom of giving gifts to children on St. Nicholas Day, December 19, was firmly established, because this is what the saint himself did. After the introduction of the new calendar, he began to come to the children at Christmas, and then on New Year.

The Santa Claus costume also did not appear immediately. At first he was depicted wearing a cloak. By the beginning of the 19th century, the Dutch depicted him as a slender pipe smoker, skillfully cleaning chimneys through which he threw gifts to children. At the end of the same century, he was dressed in a red fur coat trimmed with fur. In 1860, the American artist Thomas Knight decorated Santa Claus with a beard, and soon the Englishman John Tenniel created the image of a good-natured fat man.

We are all very familiar with this Santa Claus.

About celebrating Christmas

If on New Year it was customary to congratulate all acquaintances, then on Christmas visits were made only to close relatives and friends, which once again tells us about the family nature of the holiday.

Rules of decency of the late 19th century. were not allowed to avoid these visits, since it was believed that« to maintain good relationships» they are simply necessary. At Christmas it was customary to give sweets or some useful things.

If you want the Christmas holiday to return again, let it into your home, into your family. Start by telling your children about the origins of the holiday and how it was celebrated in Russia in the past. Children will be interested in the Christmas Eve ritual with its lit candle on the window and unusually simple and very tasty food. The table can be decorated with original compositions of branches and candles.

At the table, after eating, you can arrange readings aloud, which children also love. To do this, it is good to choose stories and fairy tales that are called that way in literature - Christmas, Yuletide.

During the Christmas holidays, do not forget about visits to the families of your relatives and friends, about the gifts that children can receive from the beautiful Christmas tree. Be sure to include in your holiday program a walk through a winter city or park, a visit to the theater or a concert. Create your own tradition, which your children would know about from childhood, feel its warmth and respect it, and would like to continue it in their families in the future.

Classic look of Santa Claus

According to the description of ethnologist Svetlana Vasilievna Zharnikova, the classic Santa Claus is characterized by the following features:

Shirt and pants - white, linen, decorated with white geometric patterns (symbol of purity).

Fur coat - long (ankle-length or shin-length), always red, embroidered with silver (eight-pointed stars, geese, crosses and other traditional ornaments), trimmed with swan down. Surely, many have seen a gray-haired wizard in a blue or green fur coat. If so, know that this is not Santa Claus, but one of his many “younger brothers”. If the fur coat is short (the lower leg is open) or has clearly visible buttons, this means that you are looking at a costume of Santa Claus, Père Noel or one of the other foreign analogues of Father Frost. But replacing swan down with white fur, although not desirable, is still acceptable.

A cap - red, embroidered with silver and pearls. Trim (creased), swan down (white fur) with a triangular cutout made on the front part (stylized horns). The shape of the hat is a semi-oval (the round shape of the hat is traditional for Russian tsars, just remember the headdress of Ivan the Terrible).

T long-fingered gloves and mittens - white, embroidered with silver - a symbol of the purity and holiness of everything that he gives from his hands. Three-fingered is a symbol of belonging to a higher divine principle.

Belt - white with a red ornament (symbol of the connection between ancestors and descendants).

Shoes - boots made of silver or red, embroidered with silver. The heel is slanted, small in size or completely absent. On a frosty day, Father Frost puts on white felt boots embroidered with silver. White color and silver are symbols of the moon, holiness, north, water and purity. It is by shoes that you can distinguish a real Santa Claus from a “fake” one. A more or less professional performer of the role of Santa Claus will never go out to the public in boots or black boots! As a last resort, he will try to find red dancing boots or ordinary black felt boots.

Staff - crystal or silver “like crystal”. The twisted handle is also silver-white. The staff is completed with a moon (a stylized image of the month) or a bull's head (a symbol of power, fertility and happiness). Nowadays, it is difficult to find a staff that matches these descriptions: the imagination of decorative artists and props makers has almost completely changed its outline.

Snow Maiden - This is a unique attribute of the image of Santa Claus. None of his younger or foreign brethren has such a sweet accompaniment. The image of the Snow Maiden is a symbol of frozen waters. As a rule, this is a girl dressed in white clothes. No other color is allowed in traditional symbolism. Her headdress is an eight-rayed crown embroidered with silver and pearls. The modern costume of the Snow Maiden most often corresponds to the historical description. Violations of the color scheme are extremely rare, and, as a rule, are justified by the inability to make the “correct suit”.

This is such an amazing story and interesting traditions for the New Year!

New Year in Russia is loved and celebrated with pleasure and joy. This holiday is overgrown with traditions that have developed over many years. Over time, modern customs and practices emerged that are characteristic of our country. Traditions are important for every nation, because they are the connection of new generations with their ancestors, they reveal the essence of the nation, its character. Therefore, we advise all Russians to study New Year traditions in Russia.

Traditions of past centuries

They began to celebrate the New Year according to the new chronology in Russia under Peter I. By his decree, everyone was ordered to decorate their houses with branches of pine, spruce or juniper, have fun and set festive tables, but not to commit any outrages. The fluffy and elegant Christmas tree came to Russian homes in the 19th century. This event is still considered controversial, since according to some sources, the future wife of Nicholas I brought the tree in 1830, and according to others, Empress Catherine in 1855. In those days, people in Russia worshiped the culture of Germany and its traditions, and therefore gladly accepted such a wonderful custom. It was believed that spruce is a sacred tree in which a good spirit lives. In addition, the evergreen plant was a symbol of immortality, and the cones personified health and strength of spirit.

But Russian people learned how to decorate a Christmas tree beautifully from the French. They hung cookies, apples, and bright flowers made of multi-colored paper on the branches of the tree. This tradition quickly spread throughout Germany and throughout Europe.

The custom of giving each other gifts on New Year's Day has survived to this day. Only in ancient times, on these days, did young men choose a bride for themselves and try to appease her with all kinds of offerings.

Carols and fortune telling in the month of Prosinets

In the old days, January was called “Prosinets” for the clear and blue sky between the clouds. At this time, everyone monitored the weather and events to determine the future in the coming year. The girls wondered about the betrothed-mummers, for good luck. The young people had fun from the heart, caroled and collected rich gifts, congratulating the owners on the New Year and Merry Christmas. Carols are a glorious tradition of the New Year holidays. This is the Slavic spirit of joy and fun. Basically, the carols sang goodness, wealth and generosity, asked for good luck and prosperity for themselves and for those to whom the carolers came. In gratitude for the good wishes, the owners gave money and delicacies.

Everyone tried to celebrate the holiday with a pure soul and without debt. They were sure to wear new clothes, give money, make peace with relatives and neighbors, and ask each other for forgiveness.

New Year in modern Russia

Before the New Year, we are all preoccupied with preparations for the holiday - we are looking for gifts, trying to time our vacation to coincide with New Year's days, emptying supermarket shelves, standing idle in traffic jams. And yet, with trepidation and joy, we wait for the enchanted night to meet new joy, new happiness at the festive table. Modern customs include garlands, sparkling balls, Olivier salad, surprise pies, sparklers with champagne, and making wishes during the chimes. In many houses, small garlands are hung on the windows so that they flicker welcomingly in the dark, reminiscent of the holiday. In some houses, snowflakes, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden are painted on mirrors and glass.

In cities, loving parents invite fairy-tale characters home to congratulate their children on the holiday and give them gifts. Someone goes abroad to celebrate the New Year on the golden sands of the beaches.

Whatever the old traditions or the new ones that have arisen, this holiday will always be in a special place for Russians. Maybe it's all about beautiful traditions? After all, belonging to a rich history fills any event with special meaning. New Year is no exception. We, too, will someday become part of the past for our descendants. Let them know only good things about our lives.

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New Year- a magical holiday celebrated all over the world. We all know and honor the traditions of celebrating the New Year in our country, but other countries of the world have their own traditions, many of which are very unusual and interesting, and we will tell you about them.

India

Very beautiful rituals of celebrating the New Year in India. People of northern India decorate themselves with white, pink, red and purple flowers. In central India, buildings are decorated with multi-colored, mostly orange, flags. In western India, small lights are lit on the roofs of houses. Hindus have their own rules for giving gifts. For example, gifts for children are placed on a special tray. In the morning, the children close their eyes and are brought to this tray.

Ireland

In Ireland, on the evening before the New Year, the doors of houses open wide; anyone who wishes can enter any house and become a welcome guest there. He will be seated in a place of honor, treated to a glass of good wine, not forgetting to say: “For peace in this house and in the whole world!” At half past twelve, the Irish go out to the central square, sing, dance, and have fun.

Italy

In Italy, on New Year's Eve, no one is surprised if someone gets rid of unnecessary things. Old flower pots, unnecessary furniture, clothes and trinkets fly right out of the window. Italians believe that the more things left on the street, the more luck and money a generous New Year will bring.

Cuba

In Cuba, before the New Year, everyone fills glasses with water, and when the clock strikes twelve, they splash it through the open windows onto the street. This means that the old New Year has ended happily and Cubans wish each other that the new year will be as clear and pure as water. And of course, happy! The clock in Cuba only strikes 11 times on New Year's Day. Since the 12th strike falls just on the New Year, the clock is allowed to rest and calmly celebrate the holiday with everyone.

Finland

The “face of the holiday” in Finland is represented by old man Frost, or, as the Finns themselves call him, Joulupukki. According to Finnish tradition, this winter old man brings rods to naughty children and gifts to obedient children. In addition, housewives cook festive plum jelly. Unmarried girls throw a shoe over their shoulder on New Year's Day. If he falls with his toe towards the door, there will be a wedding.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands and Belgium, the first day of the new year is taken very seriously. People try to behave correctly, not borrow money and wear only new things. It is believed that a person himself determines his future for the entire next year. If you spend the first day of the New Year having fun, then the whole year will be like that.
Another tradition that the residents of these countries adhere to is the election of the king of the holiday. Women prepare a cake in which a bean or pea is placed. It is the person who gets a piece of baked goods with a bean who becomes king for the entire New Year's Eve, then chooses the queen and retinue.

Burma

Since the New Year is at its hottest time in Burma, its arrival is celebrated with a water festival. The spectacle, I must say, is very funny: when people meet, they pour water on each other from different dishes. But pouring water does not offend anyone, because this ritual is a kind of wish for happiness in the New Year.

Denmark

In Denmark, on New Year's Day, it is customary to protect the forest from poachers. On the eve of the holiday, foresters treat forest spruce trees with a special composition, which has absolutely no odor in the cold. and at room temperature it emits a suffocating odor.

Austria

In Austria, it is considered an unwritten commandment to hear the solemn sound of the “Peace Bell” installed on St. Stephen’s Cathedral on New Year’s Day in Vienna. Thousands of people gather on Cathedral Square on December 31. In the old days, in this country it was considered a good omen to meet a chimney sweep, touch him and get dirty. This was believed to bring great happiness and good luck.

Australia

Very exotic New Year celebrations take place in Australia. Due to the lack of snow, Christmas trees, deer and other usual attributes of the holiday, Father Frost appears in a swimming suit, on a special brightly decorated surfboard on the beaches of Sydney. Moreover, observing the traditions of the Old World, his clothes always include a white beard and a red cap with a pompom at the end.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, on New Year's Eve, dogwood sticks are purchased - an indispensable attribute of the New Year's holiday. On the first of January, children approach their family and friends, lightly hitting them with chopsticks, and congratulate them on the holiday. With the last stroke of the clock of the passing year, the lights in all houses go out for 3 minutes: these are the minutes of New Year's kisses that replace toasts. Bulgarians are happy if someone sneezes at the table. They say it brings good luck.

Japan

In Japan, New Year is celebrated on January 1st. The Japanese are afraid that along with happiness and wealth, evil spirits will enter the house. To protect themselves from troubles, people hang bundles of straw in front of the entrance to their houses. As soon as the New Year comes, the Japanese laugh joyfully.

Brazil

On New Year's Eve in Brazil, thousands of candles light up on the sand on the ocean beach. Women in long dresses walk into the water and throw flower petals into the ocean surf.

Vietnam

On New Year's Eve in Vietnam, it is customary to release live carp into rivers and ponds. According to legend, a god swims on the back of a carp, who goes to heaven on New Year’s Day to tell how people live on Earth.

Greece

In Greece, there is a custom according to which, at the stroke of midnight, the head of the family goes out into the yard and breaks a pomegranate fruit against the wall. If its grains scatter throughout the yard, the family will live happily in the New Year. When going to visit, the Greeks bring with them a mossy stone as a gift and leave it in the hosts’ room. They say: "Let the owners' money be as heavy as this stone."

Portugal

In Portugal, on the eve of Christmas, it is customary to give a “Christmas cake” with almonds and candied fruits. By the way, surprises are also baked into such baked goods - a figurine or a medal. The finder will have good luck all year, peace and tranquility will reign in the house!

Spain

In Spain, before the New Year, boys and girls draw lots - the names of people of both sexes are written on pieces of paper. Girls learn the names of their “grooms,” and young men learn the names of their “brides.” Sometimes the drawing of lots is done near churches, and the resulting couples behave like lovers until the end of Christmastide.

Sweden

In Sweden, on New Year's Eve, it is customary to break dishes at your neighbors' doors.

New Year in Russia is celebrated on the night from December 31 to January 1. Traditionally, it is customary to celebrate it with family and loved ones. Young people prefer noisy parties in clubs.

On the eve of the New Year, in the main squares of cities, the fir tree is lit, near which the main events of the winter holidays unfold. The main Christmas tree of Russia is installed on Cathedral Square of the Kremlin. It is live and selected to strict standards. It should have a smooth trunk, without moss, lichens and hollows. The span of the branches at the base of the main coniferous beauty must be at least 9 meters and the height must be at least 30 meters. A team of designers works on decorating the Christmas tree, coming up with new ideas every year: from colors to LED garlands.

Traditions and rituals

Housewives invite guests in advance, create menus and purchase ingredients for festive meals.

A few weeks before the holiday, old, beloved New Year's films begin to be shown on TV: “Carnival Night”, “The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!”, “Sorcerers”, “Girls”. People enjoy watching these films year after year and have already sorted them out into quotes.

Russians believe in the superstition: “How you celebrate the New Year is how you will spend it!” On the eve of the holiday, they try to complete all important tasks, pay off debts, and forgive grievances. People buy their holiday outfit in advance. It is believed that whoever greets the coming year in new beautiful clothes will spend it in new clothes.

Residents of Russia are sensitive to the patron saint of the Chinese (Oriental) calendar. They try to appease the owner of the coming year: they prepare decorations that suit him, put dishes on the table that should please him (bananas for the Monkey, cereal products for the Rooster, cheese for the Rat), and give symbolic souvenirs to loved ones. Russians believe that a petted animal will bring good luck and prosperity to the house.

New Year celebrations begin on the evening of December 31st. The owners of the house and their guests gather at a luxurious table and say goodbye to the outgoing year. At 00 hours and 00 minutes, as the chimes strike, they drink champagne, watch the President’s New Year’s address on television, congratulate each other and make a wish. Particularly adventurous people write down their wish on a piece of paper, which is set on fire at midnight. The ashes are placed in a glass of champagne and drunk. They believe that this ritual will lead to the fulfillment of a wish.

history of the holiday

New Year in Russia began to be celebrated on January 1 in 1700, by decree of Tsar Peter I. In tsarist times, it was celebrated for seven whole days. Noble families placed elegant coniferous trees in front of their houses, lit tar barrels and launched rockets. Cannons were fired in front of the Kremlin.

Modern traditions of celebrating the New Year originated in the USSR. It has become a real family holiday, with its integral attributes: Olivier salad, the striking of the Kremlin chimes, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden. January 1st has been a public holiday since 1948. In 1993, January 2 was also declared a non-working day. Since 2005, New Year holidays have been established from the 1st to the 5th. Since 2013, they have been extended until January 8.

New Year decoration

A few weeks before the holiday, Russians decorate city streets, shop windows, shopping centers and homes with garlands and New Year's compositions. Each house has a Christmas tree, which is decorated with balls and garlands. Figures of Father Frost and Snow Maiden are placed under the coniferous beauty. A popular decoration are snowflakes cut out of paper or foil. They are glued to windows in apartments, houses, offices, schools and kindergartens.

In the last decade, Russians have adopted some American and European traditions. One of them is decorating the front door with a New Year's wreath made of fir branches.

Festive table

New Year celebrations in Russia are distinguished by an abundance of dishes on the table. Housewives spend the entire day of December 31 in the kitchen preparing holiday treats. Integral dishes are the “Olivier” and “Herring under a Fur Coat” salads, meat jelly (jellied meat). Russian housewives also prepare casseroles, pies, and various desserts. On some tables there are pies with wishes, inside of which they put a sweet or salty filling and a piece of paper in foil. A pleasant wish for next year is written on paper.

Not a single New Year's table is complete without tangerines. Their smell is an integral attribute of the winter holidays.

On New Year's Eve, Russians drink various alcoholic drinks, the most popular of which is champagne. Even on children's tables there is a non-alcoholic substitute for an “adult” drink. In addition to champagne, there are wines, cocktails, cognac, and vodka on the tables.

Present

In Russia, on New Year’s Day it is customary to give various gifts to friends, relatives and colleagues: from symbolic cards and souvenirs to expensive jewelry and gadgets.

Father Frost brings gifts to children with his assistant, his granddaughter Snegurochka. He rides a team with three horses and leaves sweets and toys under the Christmas tree for the children who have been obedient all year. The birthplace of this character is Veliky Ustyug, where his official residence is located. In the estate of Father Frost there is a post office to which children from all over the country send letters.

New Year's resorts in Russia

Russia is a huge and beautiful country where you can find holidays for every taste.

The hallmark of the New Year in the Russian Federation is Veliky Ustyug. This northern city is a holiday destination for the whole family. Children and their parents will find themselves in a winter fairy tale filled with magic and Russian hospitality. Guests will find interesting entertainment, fairs and performances here. Through Santa Claus Mail you can send a postcard with his autograph or personal stamp to your family and friends.

Winter St. Petersburg will appeal to young people and lovers of cultural recreation. The city will greet its guests with an atmosphere of romance and ancient palaces steeped in history. New Year's fairs, fireworks, theatrical performances, concerts, city skating rinks and snow slides will delight entertainment lovers.

Fans of winter sports will be welcomed by the ski resorts of Sochi. The snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus Mountains, mild climate and clean air will make your vacation unforgettable. Trails of different difficulty levels, safe lifts and modern hotels will pleasantly surprise vacationers.

Lovers of national color and untouched nature have plenty of places to roam. Winter tours to Karelia, Krasnoshchelye, Kamchatka, and the Kola Peninsula will give you the opportunity to experience local traditions, ride a sled with reindeer or dogs, and taste local cuisine.

Most countries in the world celebrate the New Year on January 1, just like you and me. However, there are a number of countries in which the New Year falls on different dates and is celebrated completely differently. Let's see how they do it.

China

Chinese New Year is celebrated during the winter new moon after the completion of the full lunar cycle following the winter solstice. According to the Gregorian calendar, it falls on one of the days between January 21 and February 21. According to Chinese traditions, New Year's Eve is one of the most important and significant family traditions. On the first day of the New Year, the Chinese set off fireworks and burn incense sticks to scare away evil spirits and drive them out of the house.

In Ancient China, this day was declared a beggar's holiday, when any person could enter the house. If the owner refused him this, all his friends turned away from him, his neighbors looked with contempt. According to the Chinese, on New Year's Day nature awakens, the earth and the sprouts of life that it contains come to life.

In the evening, everyone celebrates the deities' return home. According to legend, deities visit the world of spirits and “give an account” of the past year, and then honor the memory of deceased ancestors. At first, the Chinese called this holiday “Xinnian” (New Year). However, today, to distinguish this day from the European New Year on the night of December 31 to January 1, the Chinese have renamed it “Chunjie,” which translates to “Spring Festival.” This happened in 1911 after the Xinhan Revolution, as a result of which a new style of chronology was introduced in China.

Mongolia

It is believed here that the more guests who come to the house on this day, the more successful and rich the year will be.

Japan

In the land of sakura, the bells ring 108 times on New Year's Eve. Each strike of the bell means one of six vices: stupidity, frivolity, anger, greed, indecisiveness and envy. However, according to the Japanese, each vice has 18 different shades, resulting in 108 rings of the bell. There is also a New Year's tradition here of giving cards with the image of the animal whose year is coming.

The decoration of a Japanese home on New Year's Day is kadomatsu, which translates as “pine tree at the entrance.” Kadomatsu is made from pine, bamboo and woven rice straws, and then decorated with tangerine and fern branches. According to tradition, children receive their New Year's gifts on this day.

Myanmar

A very interesting New Year tradition exists in Myanmar. Here on this day, passers-by pour 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”.

Italy

Everyone is well aware of the Italian custom: getting rid of all unnecessary things on New Year's Day. On the first day of Christmas in Italy, the Christmas log is burned - a large wooden log that is brought into the house in advance. According to legend, it is believed that a burning log should slowly smolder until the New Year in order to get rid of everything bad, to burn away all the troubles that happened in the house in the past year.

Spain

When going to visit Spain on New Year's Eve, be sure to take with you a bottle of champagne and a piece of nougat. They are usually placed in the New Year's basket, which is found in every home.

Israel

Jews also celebrate their New Year. The holiday of Rosh Hashanah (which translates as “head of the year”) is celebrated between September 5 and October 5 (163 days after Passover). Jews believe that on the day of Rosh Hashanah a person's fate for the entire next year is decided. How a person behaved on this day is how he will spend the entire next year. On the night of Rosh Hashanah in Israel, everyone they meet is greeted with the following words: “May you be inscribed and signed for a good year in the Book of Life!” Then 10 days of self-knowledge and self-repentance begin, which are called “days of return to God.” Believers these days dress only in light clothes and eat apples, dipping them in honey.

Afghanistan

Here the New Year takes place on the day of the Great Equinox. The head of the village goes out to the field and makes the first furrow. Following him are the most respected fellow villagers. Drinking alcoholic beverages is prohibited by law. Wine is replaced with sweets. Traditionally, women gather separately from men. They usually place a girl sentry in front of their gathering place.

Bulgaria

Here, as in many other countries, New Year is traditionally celebrated at home. At the beginning of the holiday, the youngest member of the family stands under the tree and sings New Year's carols, for which he receives gifts from all family members. When the clock strikes 12 times, the lights in the houses go out for a moment. This is the traditional time for New Year's kisses. Then the mistress of the house cuts the New Year's cake, which is stuffed with surprises. Anyone who finds a coin in their piece of pie will spend the next year in wealth. The same tradition of serving pie “with surprises” is widespread in Australia and Romania.

England

Here, on New Year's Day, the entire house is decorated with mistletoe branches, which serves as an excellent addition to the New Year tree. Bouquets of mistletoe are everywhere, even on chandeliers and lamps. The British have a very interesting tradition of kissing the person who is standing next to you under a bunch of mistletoe.

Germany

In this country they also prefer to celebrate the New Year in a homely family atmosphere: the whole family gathers at the festive table and the so-called besherung takes place - the traditional exchange of New Year's gifts.

Austria

On New Year's Day, Austrians traditionally give porcelain or glass pigs to a friend, often in the form of a piggy bank. According to local customs, such pigs must certainly bring wealth to the one to whom they are presented.

By the way, it is considered an unwritten commandment in Austria to hear the solemn sound of the “peace bell” installed on St. Stephen’s Cathedral on the night of December 31 to January 1 in Vienna on New Year’s Day; thousands of people gather on Cathedral Square! In the old days, in this country it was considered a good omen to meet a chimney sweep, touch him and get dirty. It brings great happiness and good luck.

Sweden

New Year's Eve is a time to give each other homemade candles, as light symbolizes joy and cheer in this country. Swedish dads go out to take out the trash and return as the local Father Christmas, who in Sweden is called Jul Tomten.

Iceland

Santa Claus can visit Icelandic children any day from December 1st to December 24th. This is why many try to behave well, because they know that they can find an ordinary raw potato in their holiday stocking instead of a gift.

Argentina

According to a long-standing tradition, Argentine employees of institutions throw old calendars, unnecessary statements and forms out of the windows on the last day of the outgoing working year. In the business part of the country - Buenos Aires - by noon the sidewalks and roadways are thickly covered with a plump layer of paper. Nobody knows how and when this custom arose. Not without incidents! One day, overly enraged employees of one of the newspapers threw the entire archive out the window.

Brazil

A bizarre mixture of rituals of Indian and African beliefs with European flavor turned the Brazilian New Year into a ritual of unbridled carnival and traditional worship of ancient gods. While on Copacabana beach spectators watch the magical transformations of lights flying into the sky from rafts specially installed in the sea, in the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, the tallest floating tree in the world, 82 m high, is illuminated with fireworks lights against the backdrop of the statue of Christ the Redeemer .

Post-Soviet countries

There are many wonderful traditions of celebrating the New Year among the former Soviet states. For example, in Moldova, on the first day of the new year, grain is certainly scattered in all houses, which symbolizes an abundant and fruitful year. In Latvia, the same thing is symbolized by peas. When celebrating the New Year, you need to eat at least one pea.

In Georgia, on the first day of the New Year, it is not customary to visit each other without an invitation. The owner himself invites those who, in his opinion, are associated with good. Such a guest must certainly bring sweets to the house. In Armenia, on this day it is mandatory to congratulate all relatives.