In the eyes of ancient Chinese, 'Yuan' means the beginning Dan 'means morning. China's new year's Day is January 1 of the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly known as the 'New Year' in most countries in the world. When was the first day of January on the Gregorian calendar established? What is the basis? What customs and habits will other countries have on New Year's day? This article brings you the customs of other countries on New Year's day.
Is new year's day an international festival?
About 50000 BC, the ancient Egyptians changed from nomadism to farming and settled on both banks of the Nile. Their agricultural harvest was closely related to whether the Nile was flooded or not. Ancient Egyptians found from long-term observation that the time of Nile flooding was regular. They recorded this time on bamboo poles every time, and learned that the time between the two floods was about 365 days; It was also found that when the rising tide of the Nile came near today's Cairo, it was also the time when the sun and Sirius rose from the horizon at the same time. So the ancient Egyptians set this day as the beginning of the year. This is the earliest origin of new year's day.
Now, most countries in the world regard January 1 as new year's day every year. Due to the different longitude positions of countries in the world, the time of countries is also different. Therefore, the date of 'New Year's Day' is also different. For example, Tonga, an island country in Oceania, is located on the west side of the date line. It is the first place in the world to start a new day and the first country to celebrate New Year's day. Western Samoa, on the east side of the sun line, is the latest place in the world to start a new day.
New year's Day is a domestic saying. It is generally called New Year's Day abroad.
What are the customs of new year's Day abroad?
As the first day of the new year in the international calendar, many countries have their own unique ways to celebrate New Year's day. Look at foreign new year's day from the perspective of Xiaobian:
1. India: 'crying New Year's Day' and 'fasting New Year's Day'
On New Year's day, no one is allowed to be angry with others, let alone lose his temper. In some parts of India, on New Year's day morning, every family cries constantly, and tears flow across everyone's face. They lamented that time is fleeting and life is short, and welcomed the new year with tears. People in some areas greet the new year by fasting day and night, starting from the early morning of new year's day until midnight. In the first five days of the Chinese new year, Indians will perform the Indian epic Ramayana (which means Rama parade), playing the hero of the epic 'fighting' with the paper giant. The 'hero' triggered a burning arrow, and the paper giant burned down in the cheers of the audience.
2. Thailand: splashing water on New Year's Day
On the first day of the new year, Thais put a basin of water on the windowsill and at the door. Every family has to go to the rivers in the suburbs for a new year's bath. During the festival, people carry or carry huge statues of Buddha for travel. The statues of Buddha are followed by floats. On the bus are the makeup 'goddess of song Gan'. Groups of young men and women, dressed in colorful national clothes, sing and dance on long drums. On both sides of the road where the parade passed, good men and women walked together, holding water mixed with spices soaked in shellfish leaves in a silver bowl and sprinkling it on the statues of Buddha and the 'goddess songgan' to pray for a happy new year and good weather; Then people sprinkle water on each other and happily wish their elders health and longevity, relatives and friends luck in the new year. Unmarried young men and women use water to express their love for each other.
3. Romania
On New Year's Eve, people put up tall Christmas trees and set up a stage in the square. The citizens sang and danced while burning fireworks. Rural people pull wooden plows decorated with various colored flowers to celebrate the new year.
4. Switzerland: Fitness New Year's Day
Swiss people have the habit of fitness on New Year's day. Some of them go climbing in groups, stand on the top of the mountain, face the ice and snow, and sing loudly about a better life; Some ski along the long snow trail in the mountains and forests, as if looking for the road of happiness; Some held stilt competitions, men, women, old and young together to wish each other good health. Welcome the new year with fitness.
5. Greece: cake New Year's Day
On New Year's day, every family should make a big cake with a silver coin in it. The host cut the cake into several pieces and distributed them to family members or visiting relatives and friends. Whoever eats the cake with silver coins becomes the luckiest person in the new year. Everyone congratulates him.
6. Brazil: New Year's Day
Brazilians hold high torches and flock to climb mountains on New Year's day. People are scrambling to find the golden birch that symbolizes happiness. Only those who are not afraid of difficulties and dangers can find this rare fruit. They call it 'fortune seeking'. There is a unique custom in rural Brazil - pulling each other's ears. When people meet on New Year's day, they must try their best to hold each other's ears and express their blessings.
7. Pakistan: powdered New Year's Day
On New Year's day, Pakistani people ran out with red powder in their hands. When they met relatives and friends and said new happiness, they painted red powder on each other's forehead to celebrate the good luck of the new year.