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The new year is a time of renewal and fresh starts, and it is celebrated globally in different manners as people take the time to reflect on the past and look forward to new beginnings. This tradition dates back to over 4,000 years ago in ancient Babylon. The new year was then marked in mid-March with an 11 day festival. However, when Julius Caesar came to power in Rome, he reformed the calendar in 46 B.C., marking January 1 as the official start of the year. He did so to honor Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings and transitions in Roman mythology. Over time, the occasion began to evolve and has influenced many religious and cultural practices all over the world. Today, it remains a universal event. There are different celebrations done in different places, but they all bring forth the same desire of hope, prosperity, and joy for a happy new year!
JAPAN
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In Japan, the new year, also known as Oshogatsu, is one of the most important holidays. Celebrations will begin on December 31 with a Buddhist ritual called Joya no Kane. This is when temple bells are rung 108 times to cleanse people of their worldly desires. Families gather together for a traditional meal called osechi-ryori, which is a beautifully arranged group of dishes that also hold symbolic meanings (like black soybeans for health or sweet-rolled omelets for happiness). Many also visit shrines or temples for hatsumode, the first prayer of the year, so they can wish for blessings and good fortune. Another tradition that many Japanese people all over the world participate in is to clean the entire house beforehand, starting the year off with a clean slate.
BRAZIL
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In Brazil, New Year’s Eve, also known as Réveillon, is a time for vibrant beach and outdoor celebrations. Many Brazilians wear white clothing, which symbolizes peace and renewal for the upcoming new year. They gather along the coast of beautiful Brazilian beaches to welcome in the new year. Offerings of flowers and candles floated onto the water are made to Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea in Afro-Brazilian traditions. A fireworks display is also done at midnight. Food plays a huge role in their new year’s traditions, with lentils and pork being considered lucky dishes for ensuring prosperity. Another practice is to jump over seven waves of the ocean and make one wish with each leap for the new year.
SPAIN
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In Spain, the highlight of New Year’s Eve, or Nochevieja, is the tradition of eating 12 grapes right at the stroke of midnight. They must be completed within the first minute of the new year. Each grape represents a wish or resolution they have for the upcoming year, and eating all 12 within the first 12 chimes of the clock is said to bring forth those wishes and good luck. Afterwards, families and friends will gather for festive dinners which usually feature delicious items like seafood, roast lamb, and desserts. People all over the country will toast with cava, Spain’s sparkling wine, to welcome in the new year. After midnight, the plazas are full of citizens who join in on the public celebrations, often wearing red clothing and undergarments to bring forth love and passion in their new year.
SOUTH AFRICA
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In South Africa, New Year’s Eve is marked with lively music, dancing, and street parades. In Cape Town, the Minstrel Carnival, also known as Kaapse Klopse, features colorful costumes, exciting music, and energetic performances that carry into New Year’s Day. A unique tradition in Johannesburg involves throwing old furniture or appliances out of their windows to discard items from their past and make space for the new. Friends and family enjoy feasts of local dishes, like braai (barbecue) and traditional stews. Church services are also popular, with many attending Watch Night to pray for blessings in the coming year.
INDIA
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India’s new year celebrations vary by region and culture due to the diversity of the nation, but most follow the western calendar and celebrate with the rest of the world on December 31. Cities like Mumbai and Delhi host grand parties, with fireworks and live performances that add to the festive atmosphere. In southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, traditional customs for the Hindu New Year (which is on a different day, not December 31), are observed. They typically participate in temple visits or prepare a feast of vegetarian dishes. States like Punjab link the new year with a festival called Lohri, where they celebrate the harvest season in January with bonfires, dancing, and exchanging gifts and sweets among their families. Some individuals also embrace the tradition of creating resolutions, which allows people to focus on self-improvement for the upcoming year.
