the new year happens day January 1st and corresponds to a commemoration based on the Gregorian calendar, also called Christian or Western.
From that date, which is National holiday, a new annual calendar starts.
New Year's Eve: December 31st
New Year's Eve, also called “New Year's Eve”, is celebrated on the last day of the year, December 31st. Note that the French term “New Year's Eve” refers to the verb New Year's Eve, which means to wake up, wake up, revive.
The big celebration actually takes place this day in different parts of the world. Fireworks fill the skies and crowds gather to await the arrival of the new year.
Remember that this day it's not a holiday national and working hours are the same. Only in some places are employees released from work earlier, however, this is in accordance with the policies of each company.
meaning of the new year
The New Year means hope, renewal and change. There is a lot of expectation on the part of people that this moment celebrates the abandonment of what we no longer need with the arrival of something new and many accomplishments. For this reason, many people tend to make lists of what they want to start and achieve in this new phase.
New Year Origin
The story of the New Year is something very old, since several ancient civilizations celebrated the New Year in March, taking into account the end of winter and the arrival of spring.
In the Roman Empire, the population celebrated this day in honor of the god Janus, god of changes and transitions.
It was in 46 a. Ç. that Emperor Julius Caesar decreed that the New Year would be celebrated on that day, based on the Julian calendar.
It was only at the end of the 16th century that this date was finally made official with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar by the Catholic Church.
So, over time, this date became a milestone and, nowadays, most countries celebrate the arrival of the new year on January 1st.
How is the New Year celebrated in Brazil?
In Brazil, as in most Western countries that follow the Gregorian calendar, the New Year starts on January 1st.
the turnaround party
In the country, the New Year is a very celebrated moment. There are many parties with concerts and presentations, also being called "the turnaround party" or simply "New Year's party".
Crowds fill the beaches, squares and houses to celebrate the passing of the year, and at the arrival of the New Year, acquaintances embrace and wish others good things. It is also common to sing the song:
Goodbye old year!
Happy New Year!
may everything be accomplished
In the year to be born!
Lots of money in your pocket,
Health to give and sell!
(...)
Symbols and superstitions of the New Year in Brazil
Fireworks are one of the main symbols of the New Year's Eve party, which fill the skies of different colors for minutes. Thus, the countdown takes place at the last minute of the old year, starting the new year.
Another very common symbol is the champagne toast. It is worth remembering that many superstitions also accompany people on the arrival of the new year, such as:
- Wear white clothing;
- Wear new, colorful lingerie (depending on what you want to get);
- Jumping 7 ocean waves;
- Eat 7 pomegranate seeds;
- Eat a plate of lentils.
New Year's Celebrations in Other Cultures
1. Chinese new year
The Chinese New Year is a celebration based on the Chinese calendar. Many Eastern cultures follow this reference on a date that is not fixed and can be in January or February. That's because the Chinese calendar is lunar and considers the phases of the moon.
A large part of the party is made up of objects and decorations in red and golden tones, with the dragon being one of the most emblematic symbols of the celebration. Both this animal and others are used in the decoration of the party in order to scare away evil spirits.
2. jewish new year
The Jewish New Year, called the Rosh Hashanah, is celebrated between late September and early October, being the seventh month of the Jewish calendar.
This celebration lasts two days (Judgment Day and the Head of the Year) and, unlike western festivities with concerts and lots of noise, these people celebrate in a meditative and silent way, with prayers and always beside the family.
This is one of the most important days for Jews, which celebrates the anniversary of the universe, marking the birth of the world and civilization.
3. Muslim New Year
For Muslims, the New Year is a time to celebrate the exodus of Muhammad, the great prophet. This celebration also takes place on a mobile date that may start in May. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is solar, the Islamic calendar is lunar.
New Year's Day (1st of muharram) is usually celebrated by these people in a meditative way and with many prayers. Thus, crowds often visit the shrine to pray.
This month is called muharram and, in addition to the first day, on the 10th, the Ashura, which represents the culmination of prayers, performed with fasting.
Read too: Christmas story and January commemorative dates.
