As the clock strikes twelve on December 31, there is a season of celebrating new year around the world.
So how do different countries celebrate? Look!)
USA
Uncorking champagne, gorging on cakes, and feasting on black-eyed beans are considered lucky and festive. The best in fashion is what party-goers opt for in New Year Eve parties. Honking vehicles, paper blowers, noisy whistles, impulsive kisses are all part of the fun and gaiety.
Football tournament is telecast all across the country, and many Americans prefer to enjoy a relaxed New Years Eve watching the game with friends and family – a tradition continuing since 1916.
The most celebrated event is perhaps the “ball drop” in Times Square, New York. Since 1907, every New Year’s Eve a specially designed ball is dropped at 1159pm EST amidst cheers of millions of spectators. The fun is further enhanced by innumerous parties alongside, some even hosted by celebrities.
The capital city of Washington DC adheres to more traditional celebrations. Open House parties have been huge hit since its introduction by George Washington. Firecrackers are burnt to symbolize warding off evil and negativity.
UK
United Kingdom welcomes the New Year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar with loud cheer, warmth of family and friends, feasting and drinking. In London, a huge crowd gathers along the Thames to enjoy the fireworks from the London Eye as the Big Ben strikes twelve officially marking the onset of a New Year. Thousands of people also assemble to party and make merry with bon-firesat Trafalgar Square and the Piccadilly Circus. Voices in unison honor the “days gone by” by singing “Auld Lang Syne”.
Another traditional custom is “First Footing”. For this, a tall, handsome dark (haired) male has to be the first visitor of a household after midnight. As a custom, he has to carry with him, a loaf of bread, a bottle of whiskey, some coal and salt. He is expected to put the coal in the fire and serve the bread and the drink to the family and wish them Happy New Year. He makes entry from the front door, and after the ritual, he has to exit from the backdoor. He is considered to bring good luck and prosperity to the household.
China
Traditionally, the Chinese follow the Lunar Calendar. According to it, their New Year, known as “Yuan Tan” may occur any day between mid-January and mid-February. The Chinese celebrate their New Year with much pomp and grandeur and the celebrations may continue for ten to fifteen days.
Chinese New Year celebrations are colorful and noisy – red dominates the show, while beating of drums and cymbals are believed to drive away the evil. Lion Dance and feasting take care of the entertainment. Hundreds of lanterns are lit to welcome home the positive vibes. Friends and relatives visit each other. Gift of red envelope containing money (Lai See) is exchanged as a symbol of good luck.
Japan
Since 1873, Japan has officially adopted the Gregorian calendar. Before that Japan celebrated New Year in accordance with the Chinese lunar calendar.
Japanese New Year celebrations begin on January 1 and last for a fortnight. Traditional celebrations aim at the age-old concept of out with evil and in with the good vibes.
Traditional celebrations include visiting temples to pray for the departed and for good harvest. Temple bells are rung 108 times to scare off the evil. Another ritual with the same purpose is to start laughing as the clock is about the strike midnight.
Decorative rice cakes called Mochis are made.
Japanese homes hand straw ropes at the entrance to bring in good luck. Paper lobsters adorn homes signifying endurance, while green plants and bamboo symbolize new life and honesty.
Envelopes with money are handed to children by elders.
France
New Year in France is known as Jour des trennes, and le Jour de I’An, and the celebrations are referred to as ‘Reveillion’. It is one of the oldest festivals of France, and is therefore an official public holiday. It is believed that feasting will bring about prosperity. As such, a special feast, called as le Rveillon de Saint-Sylvestre is planned. Families meet and greet, champagnes are uncorked, huge pompous parties are organized, as the country welcomes the New Year with food, fun, drinks, fireworks and lighting.
Greece
January 1 is an auspicious day for the Greeks as it also marks St. Basil’s Day since St. Basil is considered as one of the forefathers. Greek families get together to bake a special bread for the New Year. They hide a coin in the dough. The coin is believed to bring good luck.
Spain
In Spain, as the midnight strikes, it is customary to quickly eat twelve grapes, one at each strike of the clock. These are supposed to bring good luck – one grape for each of the twelve months of the New Year. In cities, people gather in the main squares and observe this custom together and celebrate with cava. Drinking and dancing all through the night is a typical form of Spanish celebration.
Scotland
In Scotland, New Year is called Hogmonay. Traditional celebrations include barrels of tar to be set alight and rolled through the streets. They believe that this way the old year is burned up and the new one is allowed to enter.
Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, New Year is known as Aluth Avurudhu, and typically occurs in mid-April. When the old year would end and the new would year begins is astrologically determined and can occur several hours apart. Rituals include house cleaning, lighting of the hearth, herbal bathing, making auspicious dishes, and strengthening of family relationships.
So how do different countries celebrate? Look!)
USA
Uncorking champagne, gorging on cakes, and feasting on black-eyed beans are considered lucky and festive. The best in fashion is what party-goers opt for in New Year Eve parties. Honking vehicles, paper blowers, noisy whistles, impulsive kisses are all part of the fun and gaiety.
Football tournament is telecast all across the country, and many Americans prefer to enjoy a relaxed New Years Eve watching the game with friends and family – a tradition continuing since 1916.
The most celebrated event is perhaps the “ball drop” in Times Square, New York. Since 1907, every New Year’s Eve a specially designed ball is dropped at 1159pm EST amidst cheers of millions of spectators. The fun is further enhanced by innumerous parties alongside, some even hosted by celebrities.
The capital city of Washington DC adheres to more traditional celebrations. Open House parties have been huge hit since its introduction by George Washington. Firecrackers are burnt to symbolize warding off evil and negativity.
UK
United Kingdom welcomes the New Year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar with loud cheer, warmth of family and friends, feasting and drinking. In London, a huge crowd gathers along the Thames to enjoy the fireworks from the London Eye as the Big Ben strikes twelve officially marking the onset of a New Year. Thousands of people also assemble to party and make merry with bon-firesat Trafalgar Square and the Piccadilly Circus. Voices in unison honor the “days gone by” by singing “Auld Lang Syne”.
Another traditional custom is “First Footing”. For this, a tall, handsome dark (haired) male has to be the first visitor of a household after midnight. As a custom, he has to carry with him, a loaf of bread, a bottle of whiskey, some coal and salt. He is expected to put the coal in the fire and serve the bread and the drink to the family and wish them Happy New Year. He makes entry from the front door, and after the ritual, he has to exit from the backdoor. He is considered to bring good luck and prosperity to the household.
China
Traditionally, the Chinese follow the Lunar Calendar. According to it, their New Year, known as “Yuan Tan” may occur any day between mid-January and mid-February. The Chinese celebrate their New Year with much pomp and grandeur and the celebrations may continue for ten to fifteen days.
Chinese New Year celebrations are colorful and noisy – red dominates the show, while beating of drums and cymbals are believed to drive away the evil. Lion Dance and feasting take care of the entertainment. Hundreds of lanterns are lit to welcome home the positive vibes. Friends and relatives visit each other. Gift of red envelope containing money (Lai See) is exchanged as a symbol of good luck.
Japan
Since 1873, Japan has officially adopted the Gregorian calendar. Before that Japan celebrated New Year in accordance with the Chinese lunar calendar.
Japanese New Year celebrations begin on January 1 and last for a fortnight. Traditional celebrations aim at the age-old concept of out with evil and in with the good vibes.
Traditional celebrations include visiting temples to pray for the departed and for good harvest. Temple bells are rung 108 times to scare off the evil. Another ritual with the same purpose is to start laughing as the clock is about the strike midnight.
Decorative rice cakes called Mochis are made.
Japanese homes hand straw ropes at the entrance to bring in good luck. Paper lobsters adorn homes signifying endurance, while green plants and bamboo symbolize new life and honesty.
Envelopes with money are handed to children by elders.
France
New Year in France is known as Jour des trennes, and le Jour de I’An, and the celebrations are referred to as ‘Reveillion’. It is one of the oldest festivals of France, and is therefore an official public holiday. It is believed that feasting will bring about prosperity. As such, a special feast, called as le Rveillon de Saint-Sylvestre is planned. Families meet and greet, champagnes are uncorked, huge pompous parties are organized, as the country welcomes the New Year with food, fun, drinks, fireworks and lighting.
Greece
January 1 is an auspicious day for the Greeks as it also marks St. Basil’s Day since St. Basil is considered as one of the forefathers. Greek families get together to bake a special bread for the New Year. They hide a coin in the dough. The coin is believed to bring good luck.
Spain
In Spain, as the midnight strikes, it is customary to quickly eat twelve grapes, one at each strike of the clock. These are supposed to bring good luck – one grape for each of the twelve months of the New Year. In cities, people gather in the main squares and observe this custom together and celebrate with cava. Drinking and dancing all through the night is a typical form of Spanish celebration.
Scotland
In Scotland, New Year is called Hogmonay. Traditional celebrations include barrels of tar to be set alight and rolled through the streets. They believe that this way the old year is burned up and the new one is allowed to enter.
Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, New Year is known as Aluth Avurudhu, and typically occurs in mid-April. When the old year would end and the new would year begins is astrologically determined and can occur several hours apart. Rituals include house cleaning, lighting of the hearth, herbal bathing, making auspicious dishes, and strengthening of family relationships.
