Historical and geographical excursion

New Year is a holiday celebrated by many nations in accordance with the adopted calendar, coming at the moment of transition from the last day of the year to the first day of the next year. The custom of celebrating the New Year existed already in Ancient Mesopotamia, presumably in the third millennium BC. The beginning of the year from January 1 was established by the Roman ruler Julius Caesar in 46 BC. In ancient Rome, this day was dedicated to 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 - back.

Most countries celebrate the New Year on January 1, the first day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. Taking into account the zone time, New Year's celebrations always begin in the Pacific on the islands of Kiribati (check some best Happy New Year 2019 wishes).The last year to accompany the old inhabitants of the Midway Islands 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 the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah (the head of the year) is celebrated 163 days after Passover (not earlier than September 5 and no later than October 5). On this day, a ten-day period of spiritual self-deepening and repentance begins. The next ten days before the Doomsday (Yom Kippur ) is called “Tshuv Days” (“return” - meaning a return to God). They are also called “the days of repentance” or “the days of awe”. It is believed that in Rosh Hashanah the fate of a person is decided for the year ahead. In the subsequent Judgment Day after the holiday, the Jews greet each other with a wish: “May you be recorded and signed for a good year in the Book of Life!". Believers wear light clothes. During the festive meal, it is customary to dip challah or an apple in honey.

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 the winter solstice (that is, the second new moon after December 21). In the Gregorian calendar, this corresponds to one of the days between January 21 and February 21. The Chinese New Year, which after 1911 means “Spring Festival”, has long been the main and longest holiday in China and other East Asian countries. In the north of the country on New Year's Eve (Tet) in the house establish a flowering branch of peach, or decorate the house with tangerine trees, hung with orange fruits, symbolizing prosperity. During this period peach and apricot trees, tangerines and almonds are blooming. Young blooming branches and simple bouquets adorn the streets. In the south of the country on Tet, they prefer to decorate their home with a blossoming apricot branch, and the apricot flowers should have five petals. Also, Southerners put watermelons on the altar, the sweet red flesh of which symbolizes good luck in the coming year.

In the evening, on the eve of the New Year, mass dragon dances take place, in which all people take part, regardless of wealth. The most magnificent processions and bright events are held at night. At dusk, campfires are set up in parks, gardens or on the streets. Each camp has several families.

Old New Year is a holiday celebrated by the New Year according to the Julian calendar (now on the night of January 13-14) and is, in fact, a historical echo of the change of the calendar. Celebrated in Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Switzerland, and some other countries.