New Year’s Traditions
“Happy New Years!” This is a phrase you will probably hear a few hundred times for the couple weeks following the beginning of 2012. This time of year people are busy getting ready for the holiday season. TV stations are reviewing 2011; listing the best and the worst. And people at home are gathering poppers and blow horns to ring in the new year. New Years Eve is one of the best nights to get dressed up, go out, and sip champagne. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate a new year with new beginnings and new possibilities? Here is a little bit of information on the traditions and history of New Years. Plus a little bit of trivia you probably didn’t know.
History
Believe it or not New Years is the oldest holiday EVER to be celebrated. Nearly 4000 years ago the ancient Babylonians celebrated the first New Moon (actually the first visible crescent) after the Vernal Equinox, which is the first day of spring. Spring makes sense to celebrate new beginnings. It is the season of rebirth and the start of a new crop season. However January 1st is totally random.
The Romans later continued on with this tradition in the late spring, however after years and several emperors later the sun cycles changed and the exact day was unsure. In 153 BC the Roman senate decided officially January 1st to be the official beginning of the new year. The Catholic Church took this on as well. And for the last 400 years the western civilization has observed this as the start to the new year as well.
Traditions
The tradition of the New Years baby started all the way back in ancient Greek time. It was a way to honor the God of Wine and good fortune. In some European countries it is considered good luck to make foods that are in circular shapes. Donuts, pies and cookies are sweet ways to celebrate with.
Many people are always wondering about the tradition of the New York Times Square ball drop. The 12 foot geodesic sphere, which weighs 11,875 pounds, will be far larger than any other ball in history and will drop at the stroke of midnight in NY. 1907 was the official first year the original ball descended from the flagpole atop One Times Square. It was initially meant to be the centerpiece focal point of the 1907-1908 festivities. The idea of “dropping” a ball to signify the passing of time to a new time goes back to the 1800s. Time Balls as they’re called were first used in England’s Royal Observatory at Greenwich in 1833. The ball would drop at one o’clock every afternoon. This allowed captains of nearby ships to precisely set their chronometers.
Then there is always the New Years Resolution that you will probably hear a few dozen times. This is a big American tradition in which people make a promise of something to improve or make better in the coming year. This is also a good time for reflection on one’s actions and happenings of the previous year.
Chinese New Years
This is an event that is so unique and fun it has to have its own section. The Chinese New Years usually falls between January 21st and February 20th. It starts with the new moon on the lunar calendar. Thousands of people in China’s largest cities flood the streets to watch colorful and exciting parades. The traditional and iconic dragon makes its way down the street. It is considered a symbol of longevity and wealth. It takes fifty people to hold it up and weave their way through the crowds.
Firecrackers and fireworks (which were originally created in China for this event) are shot off all month to bring in a new and happy New Year. Red is the main color since it means joy and luck. Lucky money is given in red envelopes to family members and friends as a sort of good luck. Family members pay homage to ancestors and dress in brand new clothes, while eating sweets and a nice meal. The whole concept of New Years in China is a huge spectacle and can get a little crazy.
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