New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1st , the first day of the new year following both the Gregorian and Julian calendars . The New Year's holiday is often marked by bonfires , parades , and reflection on the past year while looking ahead to the future . Many people celebrate the New Year with loved ones, incorporating traditions to bring luck and success in the coming year. Many cultures celebrate this joyous day in their own unique ways. Common New Year's Day customs in Western countries include revelry with champagne and various foods, but addiction to these foods is harmful to the body and against God's constitution. The new year is marked by new joy and a clean slate. For many, celebrating the new year is an opportunity to learn from the previous year and make positive changes in their lives.
History- The New Year's Day is one of the oldest festivals, but the exact date and nature of the celebration have changed over time. It originated thousands of years ago in ancient Babylon , celebrating the first day of spring as an eleventh-day festival. Over time, many cultures used solar and lunar cycles to determine the "first" day of the year. It wasn't until Julius Caesar implemented the Julian calendar that January 1st became the usual day for celebration. The content of the celebration has varied as well. While early celebrations were more pagan in nature, celebrating the cycles of the Earth, Christian tradition celebrates the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ on New Year's Day. Roman Catholics also often celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, to honor Mary. However, in the twentieth century, the holiday grew into its own celebration and separated from its usual association with religion. It has evolved from a religious celebration to a holiday associated with nationalism, kinship, and introspection, yet many people still do not follow many of the old traditions.
Chinese New Year- In China , cleaning and painting of homes begins a month in advance. The color safflower is important during this festival, and windows and doors are often painted with this color. Paper festoons and decorations are made. Special dishes are prepared, and special care is taken with the colors worn. Wearing red is considered auspicious, while wearing black or white is considered inauspicious. After dinner on the last night of the year, the entire family gathers together to play games like cards or Chaupar or watch television, awaiting the arrival of the new year. The next day, children and unmarried people are given a safflower bag filled with money as a symbol of happiness. Greetings are exchanged with relatives and neighbors. The Chinese believe that a deity resides in every kitchen, who submits the family's annual accounts to God at the end of the year and returns to the family. So, to bid farewell and welcome him back, fire-fighting and welcoming ceremonies are held throughout the week. The purpose of these intense fire-fighting ceremonies is also believed to be to ward off evil spirits. Here, the dragon symbolizes longevity and prosperity.
Japanese New Year- The Japanese New Year used to fall between January 20th and February 19th. However, it is now celebrated over three days, from the night of December 29th to January 3rd. This festival is known here as Yaburi. Like Diwali , house cleaning is an important part of this festival. Cleaning and decorating not only homes but also Buddhist and Shito temples begins in December with great fanfare. Various parts of pine, bamboo , and plum trees are used for decoration, and lights are hung outside the house. The Japanese believe that a clean house brings happiness and prosperity.
The main event of this festival is the ringing of temple bells 108 times at 12 o'clock on the last night of the year. For the convenience of the people, this is also broadcast live on radio and TV. To the sound of these bells, the entire nation prays for the New Year together. People visit temples and worship Lord Buddha. It is believed that this pleases the deity and grants them happiness and prosperity throughout the year. For the next three days, special meals are eaten, including a soup called "ozoni," made from soybean and fish broth. Sending cards is very popular among the Japanese. These cards are purchased from the Japanese postal service, "Nengajo," and posted before January 1st. The Japanese postal service makes special arrangements to distribute them on January 1st. It is estimated that a Japanese person sends hundreds of New Year cards.
Korean New Year- In Korea , like many other Asian countries, the New Year is celebrated twice, according to the solar and lunar year. Most people celebrate the solar New Year. This is called "Sol-nal," and it is a day when the whole family gathers to share fun, love, and laughter. The day before, special straw-woven screens called "buk jori" are hung on the doors. It is believed that these screens protect the house from evil eyes. New clothes decorated with five colors, called "Sol-bim," are worn.
Early on New Year's Day, everyone gathers at the home of the eldest male member of the family. A ritual called "Cha-Rae" is performed here. Ancestors are remembered and bowls of "Tok-Kuk" are served. This is a thin soup made with finely ground rice and beef broth. It is considered health-enhancing. "Tok-Kuk" means "longevity." It is believed that a bowl of soup adds a year to one's life. Thus, everyone extends their lifespan by a year on this day.
After a heavy breakfast, the younger ones bow before the elders and seek blessings. This is called 'se-be' or 'jol'. For 'jol', one must place both hands in front of the eyes. One must sit in such a way that the knees touch the ground and, along with the hands, the head must also be bowed and touched to the ground. Young children can perform this easily. Older people take help from others. Children make small decorative wallets called 'buk ju mo ni'. After 'jol', all the elders give money to the younger ones. Children place their money in the newly made 'buk ju mo ni'.
After Jol, boys come out of the house to fly kites and spin tops. Girls play on the seesaw. Inside the house, "Yut no Ri" is played. It uses four sticks and squares. As long as the family is together, everyone from grandfather to granddaughter enjoys games, entertainment, and food and drinks throughout the day.
Thai New Year- In Thailand , the New Year's festival is called "Songkran." This New Year's festival lasts for three days, from April 13th to 15th. Traditionally, people sprinkle water on each other . Buckets are fired at random. Perhaps this sprinkling of water provides some relief from the heat of April. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country. In major cities like Bangkok , people enjoy traveling for three to four days. On this day, people touch the feet of elders, apologize for mistakes, and pour water on their hands. This is believed to bring good rains in the coming year. Statues of Gautama Buddha are bathed , and donations of rice , fruit , and sweets are made along with prayers . Another custom involves releasing caged birds or fish from fishpots at home to bring good luck. A game called "Saba" is also played during this time. It's played. People come to the riverbank to have fun. Little children build sand castles and plant flags on them.
New Year in Myanmar- In Myanmar , India 's neighboring country, the New Year's celebration is called "Tizan," which lasts three days. This festival is celebrated in mid-April. Like Holi in India, the tradition of drenching each other with water is a key part of this festival. The only difference is that instead of color, the water is laced with perfume.
People fill plastic squirters with water and travel in roofless vehicles, spraying fragrant water on each other. Preparations for the festival begin a week in advance. Houses are cleaned and decorated, and celebrations are held by erecting tents on the streets. Friends and acquaintances are invited and the New Year's celebrations are celebrated by distributing sweets. Various dance and cultural programs are organized, and these programs continue for a week. Worship of Lord Buddha is a special part of this festival.
South America- In South America and Colombia , the New Year is welcomed in a unique way. An effigy of Ano Nuevo, meaning the past year, is made by combining the clothes of all the family members. It is stuffed with newspaper and paper, decorated with colorful paper and various firecrackers. A piece of paper is pasted with a note about one's disliked work, misfortune, and evil, so that they may be destroyed along with the effigy. At exactly midnight, Ano Nuevo is burned. As it begins to turn into ashes, people celebrate, believing that all evil, misfortune, and past mistakes have been destroyed. If it is to be burned at home, it is made very small, and only paper is used instead of the clothes of the family members.
South Asia-India- New Year is celebrated on different dates in different parts of India . These dates usually fall in the months of March and April. In Punjab , the New Year is celebrated on April 13th, called Baisakhi . According to the Sikh Nanakshahi calendar, Hola Mohalla is the New Year on March 14th. The Bengali and Tamil New Years also fall around this date. The Telugu New Year falls between March and April. In Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated as Ugadi (a corruption of Yugadi = Yuga + Aadi), which falls on the first day of the month of Chaitra . The Tamil New Year, Vishu, is celebrated on April 13th or 14th in Tamil Nadu and Kerala . Pongal is also officially celebrated as the New Year in Tamil Nadu on January 15th. In the Kashmiri calendar, Navreh falls on March 19th. In Maharashtra, it is celebrated as Gudi Padwa in the month of March-April, Kannada New Year Ugadi is celebrated by the people of Karnataka on the first day of Chaitra month, Sindhi festival Cheti Chand, Ugadi and Gudi Padwa are celebrated on the same day. In Madurai, Chitra Thiruvizha is celebrated as New Year in the month of Chitra. Marwari New Year is on the day of Diwali . Gujarati New Year is on the second day of Diwali. Jain New Year is also celebrated on this day. But it is not widespread. It falls in October or November. Bengali New Year Pohela Baisakhi falls on 14 or 15 April. New Year is celebrated on the same day in West Bengal and Bangladesh .
New Year in India- New Year (January 1) celebrations in India vary across different states. In Madhya Pradesh, the Excise Department has issued guidelines for 2025–26, making a one-day liquor license mandatory for events involving 500 to 5,000 people between December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026. The license fee ranges from ₹25,000 for up to 500 people to ₹200,000 for more than 5,000, and legal action may be taken without a license.
Afghanistan- In Afghanistan, New Year's Day is celebrated not on January 1st, but on March 21st of the Gegri calendar, the first day of Amal. March 20th is the main day of the new world. That night, green vegetables are cooked along with curry and rice. People wear new clothes. At 12 o'clock, the lights are turned off, and people dance to the beats of records.
As soon as 12 o'clock is announced, people begin wishing each other a Happy New Year. This event is usually held outdoors. A drink called "Mewana Nobaraj," meaning "New Year's Nuts," is made by mixing seven local fruits. During the day, everyone eats a special meal. Then, around two or three o'clock, it's mandatory to go outside and walk on the grass. This is called "Sabjala-ha-Gatkardan."
Europe-Spain- In Spain , there's a tradition of eating a dozen fresh grapes after midnight on this day . They believe this will ensure good health throughout the year. New Year's Day is celebrated on the night of December 31st. People wait for the clock to strike twelve with their grapes. As soon as the clock strikes twelve, this special ritual is followed.
The rule is that one grape should be put into the mouth every hour, and by the time the twelve hours are up, all twelve grapes should be gone. However, this doesn't happen. Everyone's mouths are full of grapes, and they look at each other and start laughing.
It is said that in ancient times, there was a bountiful harvest of grapes. Delighted, the king gifted twelve grapes to every citizen of the country on the last day of the year. This tradition began then.
Russia- The tradition of celebrating New Year in Russia began three hundred years ago when Peter I planted a New Year tree and declared that the New Year would be celebrated every year on January 1st. Nowadays, New Year's Eve is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The Russian Santa Claus, also known as Father Frost, enchants children with his finery and parades through the streets. People eagerly await this day throughout the year. Young children await gifts, while adults hope that the coming year will be filled with happiness and prosperity.
New Year is celebrated again on the night of January 13th-14th. This is called the "Old New Year." The rest of the world uses the Julian calendar, while Russia uses the Georgian. The two calendars differ by 13 days. Some people welcome the New Year in their homes, some in restaurants, and some near a pine tree . Wishing each other a Happy New Year is considered very auspicious here. Homes are cleaned and decorated. A pine tree is brought into the house and decorated with balloons, colorful ribbons, and other decorative items. It is illuminated with colorful bulbs. Toys given by elders are placed under this tree. In the evening, children sing and dance around this tree. Young children visit each other's homes to share the joy of the New Year. They are treated to fruits, sweets, cashews, almonds, and small coins. Large feasts are held to mark the passing of the past year and the arrival of the new year. Alcohol like champagne is highly prized. People gather to drink champagne. Fireworks are also widely displayed. If there is snow, games like skating or hockey are played on the snow.
In Islamic countries- The Islamic calendar 's new year is Muharram . The Islamic calendar is a purely lunar calendar, so its twelve-month cycle revolves around the solar calendar once every 33 years. This causes the new year to fall on different months than in the popular Gregorian calendar .
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