New Year - this is perhaps the most coveted and favorite holiday for all people.Each edge has its own customs and traditions associated with the celebration.
noteworthy that in each country the New Year is celebrated at the time.Many nations, including the Russians, live in the Gregorian calendar.They celebrate the New Year during the night of December 31 to January 1st.In view of the lap time are beginning to celebrate the first inhabitants of the island of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean.But in Europe, the main holiday is Christmas, which is celebrated on the night of December 24 to 25.In China, the holiday is timed to the winter the new moon, which occurs during the period from 21 January to 21 February.Very interesting tradition of celebrating New Year in different countries.Next we will focus on them.
New Year - a holiday of ancient times
How old is this holiday, no one today is not exactly say.But we know that he existed in the 3rd millennium BC.The tradition to celebrate the New Year on January 1, as set Roman ruler Julius Caesar.In those days in ancient Rome that day especially revered god Janus - the master of choice, and all the doors started.He portrayed with two faces: one was turned back (last year), and another - forward (New Year).Like today, the traditions of New Year celebrations around the world already existed many centuries ago.Then people firmly believed that their lives run a higher power.This is reflected in the traditions and customs.So, in our country Santa Claus had predecessors - the spirit of Winter Road, evil deity Karachun, Slavic god of weather and storms Pozvizd.As a rule, they were afraid.They carried with them hail, blizzards, destruction and death.The ancient Celts celebrated Samhain night, October 31st.This day is considered mystical.People believed that the boundary between the living world and the world of the dead in this time is erased.On the ground falls multitude mischief.The Samhain had bonfires, sing, walk and have fun.Then the evil spirit would not dare go outside.Later, this was replaced by a well-known holiday Halloween everyone.
New Year in Russia
inhabitants of our country love this holiday.After all, he is kind, cheerful, bright.It is noteworthy that on January 1 in Russia, he began to be celebrated since 1700.Then the Czar Peter 1 issued a decree.However, our country was living on the Julian calendar.Since 1919, the New Year was celebrated in Russia in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.The most important attribute of the celebration with us - it is dressed Christmas tree.By the evening of 31 December, all relatives and friends in many families are going to carry out the old year and greet the new.Traditional dishes on the table this holiday: salad and herring under a fur coat, stuffed cabbage, dumplings, fried chicken and, of course, tangerines.On this day, children come good Santa Claus.He is dressed in red, blue or silver coat with patterns, large hat and gloves.The long, gray beard, shaggy eyebrows whitened by frost, rosy cheeks ... Who does not know Santa Claus?In his hand a staff, and behind a big bag with gifts.Sometimes it is accompanied by a granddaughter - beautiful Snow Maiden.
All the kids are waiting for this event for a year, sending a letter to Santa Claus with the wishes of future goodies and gifts.Here are our tradition, there are New Year celebrations.In different countries, for the children it has its value.
China
If the Russian New Year holiday is associated with the winter cold, snow, frost, while in other countries it has a different meaning.In China it is called the holiday of spring and is celebrated in the period between January 21 and 21 February, when the moon completes its full cycle, and the new moon occurs.Celebrations continued here 15 days and ends with the Lantern Festival.The event involved both adults and children.In the morning people clean the house, because they believe that cleanliness - it's not a place for evil spirits.On the streets at this time dazzled by bright holiday clothes, yarmorochnyh goods and lights.In the evening people gather in close family circle to dinner, where give each other gifts often, and red envelopes with money.Even children and colleagues decided to present such gift.When it gets dark, people take to the streets to launch fireworks, fireworks, burn incense.Interesting unusual tradition of Chinese New Year celebrations.Around the world, customs, usually associated with a national epic.Is no exception, and China.The people of this country believe in the ancient legend of the terrible monster Nian, which came before the New Year to eat the people all the cattle, and grain supplies, and sometimes children.Once people saw the Nian was afraid of the child, dressed in red clothes.
Since then, they have become the New Year hang near their homes red lanterns and scrolls to scare away the beast.Celebratory fireworks and spices are also good scares the monster.
Bright India
identity and mysterious tradition of New Year celebrations around the world.In India, the most important holiday called Diwali, or the Festival of Lights.Celebrating it in late October or early November.What can be seen on this day on the streets of Indian cities?All houses and statues of gods and animals are decorated with bright colors, lights, flashlights and candles.Dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi holiday - the embodiment of wealth, abundance, prosperity, good luck and happiness.This day is accepted to give all the interesting gifts.Goodies for the children put on a special designed for this tray, and then fed them to him with his eyes closed.In the evening, when it gets dark, people go out to start the fireworks and firecrackers.
Land of the Rising Sun
Japan also has its own tradition of celebrating the New Year.Around the world, children in this day preparing a feast.It is no exception, and Japan.Sweet treat mochi love both children and adults.This small round loaves or cakes made from rice flour, topped with orange fruit.Give mochi - means a person to wish prosperity and wealth in the coming year.
And Japanese eat on this day boiled seaweed, fish pie, mashed sweet potatoes with chestnuts, sweet soy.And, of course, the New Year celebration is complete without a song and dance.In Japan there is a tradition to gather together and play the game: hanetsuki (playing shuttlecock), a board game with chips Sugoroku, Uta-Garuta and others.On the streets in celebration crowded.In the shops full of Christmas gifts: Ham (arrows, drives away evil spirits from the house), kumade (bamboo rake-like bear paws) takarabune (ships with rice for luck).As a rule, children a holiday here, as well as in China, not give goodies and money put into a special envelope called potibukuro.
In France and England
We see what are the tradition of celebrating the New Year in different countries.I wonder how this day is celebrated in Europe?For example, in England, the house is decorated not only trees, but also with sprigs of mistletoe.They hung everywhere, even on the lamps and chandeliers.Wreath of mistletoe adorn the front door.It is believed that this plant brings happiness into the house and protect its inhabitants from the disease.In France, the child does not come Santa Claus, Pere Noel and an old man in a fur coat, a red cap and wooden clogs.He moves on a donkey.Children believe that Pere Noel gets into the chimney and puts them goodies specially prepared for this footwear front of the fireplace.
Adults in the day dancing in red caps, fooling around, having fun, joking, sprinkle each other with confetti.As you can see, it is similar in Europe, the tradition of celebrating the New Year.In different countries, English is the short greeting sounds so: «Happy New Year!», Which means "Happy New Year!".
Italy
In this country, the celebration begins on January 6.On the eve of the kids hang stockings by the fireplace.They hope to get a lot of delicious and wonderful goodies.Only gives them is not Santa Claus, as we have, and the kind and affectionate fairy named Befana.Children believe that it flies on a broomstick at night, it opens all the doors in the house a special golden key and fills their stockings with all sorts of gifts.Befana loves obedient and well-mannered children.Those who finish just a naughty pranks and receive a reward, and only a handful of black coal ash.Adults Italians do not believe in witches.But they are convinced that the New Year - a time to pay tribute to the centuries-old tradition.For example, the people of this country under the chimes thrown out of the house the old and useless things, getting rid of, so the problems of the old year.They believe that the new items acquired in exchange discarded, bring them good luck and happiness.Here, as in many countries, on the eve of people give each other gifts.In the province you can present an olive twig in water taken from the source.It is believed that such a symbolic Present brings happiness.On the table this day in every family are always present lentils, nuts and grapes.In order to success was accompanied in all cases a year, it is necessary to eat them.Another worth noting that the Italians - a very superstitious people.They believe in all kinds of signs.For example, it is believed that if the morning after the first New Year's Eve on the way to meet the priest, the year will be unhappy.If a child gets in the way - this is not good.But humpbacked grandfather, left the meeting, promises health and luck all the next year.
Ireland
continued to travel to Europe.Many have in common tradition of celebrating New Year in different countries.English greeting triumph can be heard in Ireland.Here, the holiday is considered to be not only a family.On the eve of his door wide open all the houses.In any one of them could enter everyone and join the celebration.Guests are sure to seat at the place of honor, put him in front of the best goodies and will be toasts for "World Peace!".Irish New Year's hard to imagine without the traditional feast here, which is called the seed-cake.This cake with cumin.Another local housewives cook for the holiday table special pudding.After a rich feast all go for a walk on the street.By half past eleven Irish gather in the central square, on which stands a large tree.The real fun begins with songs, dances and jokes.
Bulgaria
It has its own tradition of celebrating the New Year.In different countries, for children in this day preparing the food.In Bulgaria, it can be candied pumpkin, apples in caramel and homemade marmalade.The traditional New Year's meal - bannitsa.This layer cake with cheese.And in Bulgaria there is a tradition to put on a festive table a loaf of bread, which is coin.After a cut loaf, everyone is looking for in a piece of coin.After the feast, and adults and children are doing dogwood sticks, decorating them with dried fruit, nuts, garlic heads, coins and bandaged red thread.It is called suruvachki.This subject must necessarily hit every family to bring him health and good luck.Sometimes suruvachkami go to the neighbors, and to wish them all the best.And then young people singing and dancing out into the street.
When the city tower clock strikes midnight, marking the beginning of the year, all over the city for three minutes the light is switched off for kissing.Even arranged the competition: who are most repurpose.
Cuba
We used to celebrate the New Year with snow and frost.I wonder how this event is taking place there, where it is always summer?Original customs of New Year celebrations in various tropical countries, such as Cuba.Here, in this day decorate conifer Araucaria, or even palm.Instead of champagne people drink rum, diluting it with orange juice, liqueur and add ice.In Cuba, there is an interesting tradition on the eve of the celebration all the fill water buckets, jugs and pots in the house.At midnight, the water poured out of the windows.It is believed that in this way people protect their house from adversity and misfortune.While the clock did not have time to break 12, everyone should be sure to have time to eat twelve grapes and make a wish.Then you can be sure that the entire year will have good luck, peace prosperity.His Santa Claus here too.Only he was not alone, as we have.They Cuba three: Valtasar, Gaspar and Melchior.
eve rebetnya wrote them a note with regards to what gifts they would like to get from them.All night long the Cubans walk and have fun, sing, joke and pour water on each other.Here I believe that it brings a person happiness and positive energy charges.
Sultry Brazil
life of this country has always been closely connected with the ocean.In local folklore for many centuries the leading role was played by the goddess of the seas lemanja.It is associated with her local custom of celebrating New Year.In different countries of the world to this day, people recite magical spells and perform rituals.In Brazil, on the eve of the residents are trying to appease the goddess lemanja to it throughout the coming year to show them benevolence and forbearance.She portrayed as a beautiful woman in long blue robes with flowing hair the color of the lunar silver tracks.Many Brazilians are trying to this day to dress well.Lemanja loves fun and dancing.So people go out in the evening on the beach, singing, walking, congratulate each other and perform a magic ritual for good luck.He is to send a small rafts in the ocean with fruit, rice, sweets, mirrors, combs and candles.By doing this, people pray and sing the ritual songs, trying to appease the terrible goddess.Women in long robes thrown into the ocean bright colors zagadyvaya desire.It ends the half-hour fireworks.Here there are unusual tradition of celebrating New Year in different countries, where eternal summer.
Australia
Tired of the snow and cold?Where to go for the winter holidays?We continue to consider the tradition of celebrating the New Year in different countries.The comic representation is arranged, as a rule, everywhere.Australians celebrate this holiday one of the first on the planet.Of identity is usually held in the open air.Beach parties, loud songs, cheerful dances, fantastic fireworks, music festivals with world stars can all be seen in Melbourne and Sydney on New Years Eve.Santa Claus in a red cap and trousers on a surfboard on the beach ... See this is possible only in Australia.
At midnight the streets of cities filled with the sounds of car horns and ringing bells.So Australians are trying "to ring" the new year to his guests.As you can see, the tradition of celebrating the New Year in different countries are very different.
Colombia
to remember the summer and enjoy its beauty in winter, go to Colombia.There are some interesting customs of New Year celebrations.Around the world, the main character is a Santa Claus, whose coming heralds the beginning of a new year.And in Colombia, the main character of the festival is the old year, which runs through the streets and fun local kids.Often his role carries an effigy on a long stick, which is burned at midnight on the beach.It is believed that after that the old year left the country forever and gave way to the new.There is also a Santa Claus.His name is Pope Pasquale.He is dressed in a red coat and hat, just like our protagonist holiday.Only he goes on long stilts than incredibly amused both adults and children.
Seeing him, residents are beginning to whistle, throwing firecrackers and firing guns into the air.It does not bring gifts.But everyone knows that the Pope Pasquale - master to arrange fireworks.It is believed that he decorates the sky New Year's fireworks and multicolored lights.
New Year in Africa
interesting tradition of celebrating New Year in different countries.Curiously, and as noted by the triumph in Africa?After all, this continent is the birthplace of the holiday.If we decorate the Christmas tree for the New Year, there are often decorated with palm trees, and not only toys but also fresh fruit
In many African countries there is a tradition to throw on the streets of green nuts.It is believed that the one who finds a nut, is sure to be happy this year.As a rule, this holiday in the "black" continent is celebrated on January 1st.But there are exceptions, such as Ethiopia.There the celebration takes place on 1 September.This time, the country marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the pores of ripening.On the eve of the main holiday of the year young and old try to swim in the river.
