What Day is New Year’s Day – New Year around the world
The concept of celebrating the New Year is a universal one, but the timing and customs associated with it vary greatly from culture to culture. While January 1st marks the beginning of the year in many parts of the world, (according to the Gregorian calendar )numerous other New Year celebrations provide insight into the rich tapestry of global cultures.
What is the Gregorian calendar ?
The Gregorian calendar, which is used in most parts of the world, went into effect in October 1582 following the papal decree issued by Pope Gregory XIII, which introduced it as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian calendar.
The principal change was to space leap years differently so as to make the average calendar year 365.2425 days long, more closely approximating the 365.2422-day “tropical” or “solar” year that is determined by the Earth’s revolution around the Sun.
There were two reasons to establish the Gregorian calendar. First, the Julian calendar assumed incorrectly that the average solar year is exactly 365.25 days long, an overestimate of a little under one day per century, and thus has a leap year every four years without exception. The Gregorian reform shortened the average (calendar) year by 0.0075 days to stop the drift of the calendar with respect to the equinoxes.
Second, the excess leap days introduced by the Julian algorithm had caused the calendar to drift such that the March equinox was occurring well before its nominal 21 March date.
This date was important to the Christian churches, because it is fundamental to the calculation of the date of Easter. To reinstate the association, the reform advanced the date by 10 days:Thursday 4 October 1582 was followed by Friday 15 October 1582. In addition, the reform also altered the lunar cycle used by the Church to calculate the date for Easter, because astronomical new moons were occurring four days before the calculated dates.
The reform was adopted initially by the Catholic countries of Europe and their overseas possessions. Over the next three centuries, the Protestant and Eastern Orthodox countries also gradually moved to what they called the “Improved calendar”with Greece being the last European country to adopt the calendar in 1923.However, many Orthodox churches continue to use the Julian calendar for religious rites and the dating of major feasts. During the 20th century, most non-Western countries also adopted the calendar, at least for civil purposes.
Other cultures observe their traditional or religious New Year’s Day according to their own customs, typically (though not invariably) because they use a lunar calendar or a lunisolar calendar.
Chinese New Year, the Islamic New Year, Tamil New Year (Puthandu), and the Jewish New Year are among well-known examples. India, Nepal, and other countries also celebrate New Year on dates according to their own calendars that are movable in the Gregorian calendar.
Here are eight New Year celebrations that occur at different times of the year.
- Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a significant event in the Jewish calendar. It typically falls in September or October, marking the beginning of the High Holy Days in Judaism. During this time, Jewish communities worldwide come together to reflect on the past year, seek forgiveness, and pray for a sweet and prosperous year ahead.
One of the most iconic traditions of Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the shofar, a ram’s horn trumpet. Families gather for festive meals featuring symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey, symbolising the wish for a sweet year, and pomegranates, representing the hope for a year filled with good deeds.
2. Lunar New Year – Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is celebrated in China and by Chinese communities worldwide. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which follows a fixed date, the Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar and falls between January 21st and February 20th.
Each year is associated with one of the 12 zodiac animals, rotating in a cycle. The festivities include vibrant parades, dragon and lion dances, fireworks, and the giving of red envelopes (hongbao) filled with money, symbolizing good luck and prosperity.
3. Nowruz – Persian New Year
Nowruz, or “New Day,” is the Persian New Year celebrated by Iranians and various other communities in the Middle East, Central Asia, and beyond. It marks the arrival of spring and falls on the vernal equinox, typically on March 20th or 21st.
Preparations for Nowruz begin weeks in advance, with families cleaning and decorating their homes. The Haft-Seen table, featuring seven symbolic items that start with the Persian letter ‘S,’ is a central element of the celebrations. People also visit friends and family, exchange gifts, and engage in various festive activities.
4. Songkran – Thai New Year
Songkran is the Thai New Year, celebrated in mid-April. It is renowned for its water festival, during which people splash water on each other as a symbol of cleansing and purification. Songkran is a time for paying respects to elders, visiting temples, and participating in traditional ceremonies.
In addition to the water festivities, people create sand pagodas at the temple, participate in parades, and enjoy traditional Thai dishes with their families. Songkran embodies the spirit of renewal and unity.
5. Diwali – Hindu New Year
Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, is a Hindu festival celebrated across India and by Hindu communities worldwide. While it is not the official Hindu New Year, it marks the victory of light over darkness and is a time for spiritual reflection and new beginnings.
During Diwali, homes are adorned with lamps and candles, and colorful rangoli (decorative designs made with colored powders) decorate the streets. Families exchange gifts, enjoy special sweets, and attend fireworks displays. It’s a time for cleansing one’s soul and welcoming prosperity and happiness.
6. Hijri – Islamic New Year
The Islamic New Year, also known as the Hijri New Year, is observed by Muslims worldwide. It marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar year and typically occurs in the first month of the Islamic calendar, Muharram. The exact date varies each year based on the lunar calendar, so it falls on different dates in the Gregorian calendar.
While there are no grand festivities associated with the Islamic New Year, Muslims often visit mosques, read the Quran, and spend time with family and friends. It’s a time to reflect on one’s actions and seek spiritual growth in the coming year.
7. Matariki – Maori New Year
Matariki, the Maori New Year, is celebrated in New Zealand and by the Maori people. The exact date varies from year to year but typically falls in late May or early June. Matariki is marked by the appearance of the Matariki star cluster (also known as the Pleiades) in the pre-dawn sky.
The celebration involves storytelling, traditional dances, and the sharing of Maori myths and legends. It’s a time to acknowledge the connections between people, the land, and the environment. Families often come together for feasts and cultural activities.
8. Enkutatash – Ethiopian New Year
Celebrated on September 11 or 12, Enkutatash (meaning Gift of Jewel in Amharic) marks the end of the rainy season in Ethiopia and the start of a new year on the Ethiopian calendar. The celebration includes family gatherings, traditional songs, and unique foods like Doro Wat (spicy chicken stew) and injera (a flatbread).
Destination – Israel, China, Middle East & North Africa, Thailand, India, New Zealand, Ethiopia
