Information about celebrating New Year's Day

China's New Year's Day is said to have started in Zhuan Xu, one of the three emperors and five emperors, with a history of more than 3,000 years. The word "New Year's Day" first appeared in the Book of Jin: "It is actually the spring of New Year's Day when the emperor was transferred to the first month." In the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Xiao Ziyun's poem "Elegance in the Southern Dynasties" also recorded "New Year's Day in four seasons, long life in early spring".

China first called the first day of the first lunar month "New Year's Day". Meta means "early" and "beginning" and refers to "day". Together, New Year's Day is the first day of the year. The date of the first day of the first month was also very different before Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Therefore, the New Year's Day of the past dynasties is not consistent. Meng Xiyue (1 month) is the first month of the Xia calendar, the twelfth month of the Shang lunar calendar (1February) and the winter month of the week calendar (1 1 month). After Qin Shihuang unified China, Yangchun month (October) was the first month, that is, the first day of October was New Year's Day. Since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, it has been stipulated that Meng Xiyue (January) is the first month, and Meng Xiyue (the first day of the first month in the summer calendar) is called New Year's Day, which has been used until the end of the Qing Dynasty. But this is the summer calendar, that is, the lunar calendar or lunar calendar, and it is not what we call New Year's Day today.

In A.D. 19 1 1, the Revolution of 1911 led by Sun Yat-sen overthrew the rule of the Qing Dynasty and established the Republic of China. In order to "follow the agricultural season, the western calendar and the statistics", the first year of the Republic of China decided to use the Gregorian calendar (actually used as 19 12), and stipulated that Gregorian calendar 1 was called "New Year's Day", but it was not called "New Year's Day".

Today's "New Year's Day" is the first plenary session of China People's Political Consultative Conference on September 27th, A.D. 1949. When we decided to establish the Republic of China, we also decided to adopt the universal calendar, officially designated the Gregorian calendar 1 as "New Year's Day" and changed the first day of the first lunar month to "Spring Festival".

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The origin of New Year's Day

"Yuan" has the meaning of beginning, "Dan" refers to the time of dawn and also refers to a day. New Year's Day is the first day of the year. The word "New Year's Day" comes from Xiao Ziyun's poem "Jieya" in the Southern Dynasties: "Four Qi New Year's Day, long life." Song Wu's "Liang Lumeng" Volume 1 "First Month" entry: "The first day of the first month is called New Year's Day, and the custom is called New Year's Day.

The month and date of New Year's Day in China are inconsistent. Xia Dynasty is the first day of the first month, Shang Dynasty is the first day of December, and Zhou Dynasty is the first day of November. After Qin Shihuang unified the six countries, the first day of October was New Year's Day, and it has not changed since then (Historical Records). In the first year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Sima Qian founded the "taichu calendar", and once again took the first day of the first month as New Year's Day, just like the provisions of the Xia Dynasty, so it was also called "Li Xia", which was used until the Revolution of 1911. After the founding of the Republic of China, Sun Yat-sen followed the farming season in order to "do well in summer"; From the Gregorian calendar, so statistics ",the first day of the first month (the first day of the New Year) is designated as the Spring Festival, and the Gregorian calendar 1 is the New Year.

In modern times, New Year's Day refers to the first day of the first year of the year. Since the Gregorian calendar was introduced into China, the word New Year's Day has been dedicated to the New Year, and the traditional old calendar year is called the Spring Festival.

Before that, New Year's Day always refers to the first day of the Chinese New Year. Yuan means "early" and "beginning", but it means "day". New Year's Day is called "the first day" and is the first day of the year. 1On September 27th, 949, the first plenary session of the China People's Political Consultative Conference decided that "the people of China and the national calendar should adopt the AD calendar method", which is what we call the solar calendar. In order to distinguish between the two New Years, and in view of the fact that the "beginning of spring" in the 24 solar terms of the lunar calendar is just around the Lunar New Year, the first day of the first lunar month is changed to "Spring Festival" and the solar calendar is January.

Celebrating the beginning of the new year and celebrating the new year can be said to be a common custom in all countries and regions of the world. In China, it is also listed as a national holiday. China and most countries and regions in the world adopt the Gregorian calendar, and set 65438+ 10/0 as the beginning of the new year, which is called "New Year's Day".

Because the longitude position of different countries in the world is different and the time of different countries is different, the date of "New Year's Day" is also different. For example, Tonga, an island country in Oceania, is located on the west side of the Japanese boundary. It is the first place in the world to start a day and the first country to celebrate New Year's Day. Western Samoa, to the east of international date line, is the latest place in the world to start a new day. According to the Gregorian calendar, China is the first 12 country in the world to start the New Year.

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The origin of New Year's Day

"Yuan" has the meaning of beginning, "Dan" refers to the time of dawn and also refers to a day. New Year's Day is the first day of the year. The word "New Year's Day" comes from Xiao Ziyun's poem "Jieya" in the Southern Dynasties: "Four Qi New Year's Day, long life at the beginning of this year." In the Song Dynasty, Wu's Meng Lianglu recorded the first month: "The first day of the first month is called New Year's Day, commonly known as the first day of the New Year's Day." First of all, this is the first year's festival. " ; Cui Yuan in Han Dynasty called it "Jacky" in Sanzi Chai Ming. In the Jin Dynasty, Yu interpreted Yang Du as ""; The Northern Qi Dynasty called it "Yuan Chun" in Huangxia Ci of Hui Yuan Ge Xiang. Tang Dezong Shili called it "Yuan Shuo" in the poem "Yuan Ri retired from the DPRK to watch the war and return to camp". Traditionally, New Year's Day refers to the first day of the first month of the summer calendar. There are different names in Chinese dialects, such as "New Year's Day", "Big Day" and "New Year's Day", which are generally called "the first day of the first month". The month and date of New Year's Day in China are inconsistent. Xia Dynasty is the first day of the first month, Shang Dynasty is the first day of December, and Zhou Dynasty is the first day of November. After Qin Shihuang unified the six countries, the first day of October was New Year's Day, and it has not changed since then (Historical Records). In the first year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Sima Qian founded the "taichu calendar", and once again took the first day of the first month as New Year's Day, just like the provisions of the Xia Dynasty, so it was also called "Li Xia", which was used until the Revolution of 1911. After the founding of the Republic of China, Sun Yat-sen followed the farming season in order to "do well in summer"; From the Gregorian calendar, so statistics ",the first day of the first month (the first day of New Year's Day) is set as the Spring Festival, and the Gregorian calendar 1 is set as the New Year.

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Background information-New Year's Day.

New Year's Day is a traditional festival for people in western countries. On this day, people will bless each other as soon as they meet, whether in the street or in the village in the city.

In Britain, every household should clean the kitchen on New Year's Eve to drive away demons and make the coming year smooth, healthy and happy. In some places, if you go to a stranger's house in the New Year, you'd better take a piece of coal with you as a New Year gift to wish the host a brighter New Year.

In Italy, on New Year's Eve, people took to the streets one after another, setting off fireworks, singing and dancing to celebrate. At midnight, some families will throw abandoned jars outside the door. In order to send the old and welcome the new, children can break things at will.

In France, it is best not to have leftover wine on New Year's Eve, which means that the coming year is unlucky. Therefore, many people have a cold drink on New Year's Eve and then get drunk. Anyone who opens a bottle of wine should drink it backwards.

In Greece, on New Year's Day, beautiful girls will be chosen to play angels and send new year's gifts to children.

In Portugal, people welcome the New Year with bullfighting. 10 New Year's Day is the climax of bullfighting, and all major towns have special competition venues.

The banquet on New Year's Eve was full of festive atmosphere. In the soft music, people frequently raise glasses to bless each other. In the face of this joyful scene, people are full of enthusiasm and witty remarks. Sometimes, invited guests will "forcibly" wear pointed hats made of paper and let them stop dancing with the bell and make a fool of themselves. After the New Year bell rang, the happy crowd held hands and sang the famous Scottish folk song "Good Old Times". At the formal New Year's Eve dinner, westerners pay great attention to clothes. Men usually wear uniform clothes and dresses, while women wear beautiful dresses. However, the New Year's masquerade is different. At masquerade parties, people will fight.

The play is novel and unique, so that others can't recognize it for a while. On this occasion, there are no guests, no distinction between high and low, and everything is carried out in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. On New Year's Eve, some westerners don't go to public places or attend banquets and parties. They went to church to celebrate the New Year.

Although New Year's Day is not a religious festival, on New Year's Eve, all churches will hold farewell ceremonies.

In the United States, the custom of New Year's Day comes from various cultural backgrounds, because the United States is a country dominated by foreign immigrants. On New Year's Eve, they vividly express their happy mood in various forms. Some people attend the New Year's Eve feast, while others flock to the local public square for public celebrations. The most spectacular and lively public celebration scene on New Year's Eve is in Times Square in new york. New york citizens and foreign tourists gathered in Times Square, and people craned their necks to wait for the light with the words "Happy New Year" to appear over the square. The custom of giving gifts on New Year's Day is gradually disappearing in American society. Instead, send new year cards, new year cards and so on.

The custom of opening the door is a major feature of American New Year custom. They opened the door and let the guests out freely. The founder of "Open Door" was the first President George Washington. 1789 On New Year's Day, he opened the door of his residence and received visitors from all directions. 18O0, after the United States made Washington its capital, the White House, the presidential residence, was opened to the public on New Year's Day every year.

When the new year comes, some westerners especially like the color portraits of the time old man and the chubby little angel holding a sickle, because people believe that in the new year, the time old man and the little angel will definitely bring people greater happiness and joy.

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1, the origin of New Year's Day

Yuan has the meaning of beginning, which refers to the dawn and also refers to the day. New Year's Day is the first day of the year. The word "New Year's Day" originated from Xiao Ziyun's poem "Jie Ya" in the Southern Dynasties: Four Qi's New Year's Day, a long life begins today. In the Song Dynasty, Wu's Dream was written in the first month: the first day of the first month was called New Year's Day, commonly known as the first day of the New Year's Day. One-year-old festival, this is the first one. ; In the Han Dynasty, Cui Yuan's Three-character Classic Inscription was called Jacky. In the Jin Dynasty, Yu explained that Fu was called; In the Northern Qi Dynasty, it was called Yuan Chun in Huangxia Ci of Hui Yuan Ge Xiang. Tang Dezong Shili called it Yuanshuo in the poem "Returning to the Camp to Watch the War on the Yuan Day". Traditionally, New Year's Day refers to the first day of the first month of the summer calendar. Dialects in different parts of Chinese have different names, some are called Lunar New Year's Day, some are called Lunar New Year's Day, and generally they are also called the first day of the first month.

The month and date of New Year's Day in China are inconsistent. Xia Dynasty is the first day of the first month, Shang Dynasty is the first day of December, and Zhou Dynasty is the first day of November. After Qin Shihuang unified the six countries, the first day of October was New Year's Day, and it has not changed since then (Historical Records). In the first year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Sima Qian founded taichu calendar, taking the first day of the first month as New Year's Day, which was the same as that of the Xia Dynasty, so it was also called Xia Li, and it was still used until the Revolution of 1911. After the founding of the Republic of China, Sun Yat-sen followed the farming season in order to escape the heat. According to the Gregorian calendar, therefore, according to statistics, the first day of the first month (New Year's Day) is the Spring Festival, and Gregorian calendar 1 1 is the New Year.

2. New Year's Day customs in various countries

Thailand

The traditional Thai New Year, namely Songkran (Sanskrit transliteration), is also called Songkran Festival, and the Gregorian calendar is from 13 to 16 every month. During the festival, people travel with huge Buddha statues in cars, followed by floats, on which stood the "Goddess Gan Song" in makeup, and groups of young men and women in colorful national costumes, drumming long drums, singing and dancing. On both sides of the road where the parade passed, good men and women walked along the street, filled with water soaked in scallops and permeated with spices in silver bowls, and sprinkled it on the Buddha statue and the "goddess Gan Song" to pray for a happy New Year and good weather. Then people splash water on each other, wishing their elders a long and healthy life, wishing friends and relatives and unmarried young men and women a happy New Year, and splashing water on each other to express their love. On the first day of the new year, Thais will put a basin of clear water on the windowsill and doorway, and every family will go to the riverside in the suburbs to take a New Year bath. In order to celebrate the New Year, Thais will hold a large-scale "Elephant Race Conference", which includes: tug-of-war between elephants, elephants jumping up to pick up things, elephants crossing people, elephant football matches, ancient elephant array performances and so on. It's wonderful and touching.

Riben

Japanese people pay special attention to the New Year, and every year 65438+February 29th-65438+1October 3rd is a national holiday. The Japanese call 65438+February 3 1 "Great Dark Day", that is, New Year's Eve. On New Year's Eve, the Japanese call it "New Year's Eve". At night, they pray for the gods to send away the troubled old year and usher in a beautiful new year. This is the so-called "first day". At midnight on New Year's Eve, temples in urban and rural areas rang bells 108 to exorcise evil spirits, while the Japanese sat quietly listening to the "Night Bell". When the bell stops, it means the arrival of a new year. People leave their seats and go to bed, hoping to have a good dream. On New Year's morning, families sit around and tell each other about their dreams on New Year's Eve to test good luck or bad luck. The Japanese call the first day of New Year's Day "Zhengri". 1-3 is "Three Congratulations Day": On the right day, the younger generation should go to their parents' home to pay New Year greetings first, and then pay New Year greetings to relatives and friends. The New Year is still a "eating" festival, and people all over the world pray for good luck by eating their own food. On "Zhengri" day, the Japanese will have a big breakfast, including sugar, soba noodles and Tu Su wine. After that, they went vegetarian for three days in a row to show their piety and pray for good luck in the coming year. At present, most urban people in Japan give up vegetarian food in the New Year and eat a hollow noodle at the "night show" to wish them health and longevity in the new year.

Edge

Egypt is an ancient civilization. In 40 BC, Egyptians were able to observe the stars. They found that Sirius rose with the sun and the Nile rose immediately. Egypt regards the day when the Nile rises as the beginning of the new year, which is called the "Rising Water New Year". In Croute, people put a table at the door to welcome the New Year. Seven or eight dishes are served with cereals such as soybeans, lentils, alfalfa and wheat, and there are many green plants, which symbolize abundance. The more you give to God, the more you will get in the new year. The New Year in Egypt is in autumn, because agricultural production in Egypt begins in autumn.

Yindu

In India, New Year's Day begins on June 65438+1October 3 1, and the fourth day is New Year's Day. On the first day of the new year, no one is allowed to be angry with others, let alone lose his temper. In some parts of India, on the morning of New Year's Day, every household kept crying, and everyone's face was covered with tears. They greet the New Year with tears, because time flies and life is short, which is a lament for life. In some areas, people welcome the New Year by fasting for one day and one night, from the early morning of New Year's Day to midnight. Because of this weird custom, New Year's Day in India is called "Crying New Year's Day" and "Fasting New Year's Day". In the first five days of the Lunar New Year, Indians will perform the Indian epic Ramayana (Ramayana, meaning Ramayana Parade) everywhere, playing the role of the hero in the epic "fighting" with the paper giant. The "hero" will light an arrow and the paper giant will catch fire in the cheers of the audience. Before New Year's Eve, all kinds of beautiful pictures will be posted in front of every household. On the morning of New Year's Day, people go out to pay New Year greetings to the elderly, relatives and friends with elaborate lanterns and red envelopes. After meeting and congratulating each other, sprinkle red powder on each other's foreheads to show good luck and look up at each other. Young people put red ink into a water gun and shoot it at relatives and friends, which is called "sprinkling red", indicating good luck. Indian youth like to meet and fight with their bare hands during the New Year, whether they are familiar with it or not. Watching and cheering is often the object of girls' pursuit. To celebrate the New Year, Boxler, an indigenous people in central India, erected a smooth and thick wooden pole on the playground, with a small bag full of gifts at the top of the pole. Girls hold bamboo poles and try their best to prevent boys from climbing the pole, while boys form a circle under the pole, trying to defend girls from attacking the pole climber until the pole climber takes the small bag.

Korean (language)

Like China, North Korea has the custom of stick grilles and Fu Tao in the New Year. Koreans put up couplets and New Year pictures in every household during the New Year. Some people stick portraits of birthday girls or fairies on their doors, praying for God's blessing, driving away ghosts and giving people happiness. At the dawn of New Year's Day, people put some money into the scarecrow tied in advance on New Year's Eve and throw it at the crossroads to ward off evil spirits and welcome lucky stars. At dusk, people burn the hair that the whole family has lost for a year and wish their families peace in the four seasons. During the Spring Festival, women in North Korea wear new clothes. On New Year's Day, girls wear a kind of hemp hat called "blessing towel" and colorful and patterned clothes to have a swing competition. They aimed at a tree flower to see who could kick it or bite it first. Others hang bronze bells on high places. Whoever touches the bell first will win. During the New Year, Koreans must cook glutinous rice with pine nuts, chestnut powder, jujube paste and honey, which is similar to China's eight-treasure rice to show that the family is prosperous and sweet as honey.

Singapore

Get up early on New Year's Day and happily get a "red envelope" (lucky money) from your elders. In the New Year, a community lion and dragon dance team performs along the street. Men, women and children are dressed in costumes and visit relatives and friends with gifts. During the Spring Festival, people like to eat sweet rice cakes made of fried glutinous rice and brown sugar.

British state

In Britain, New Year's Day on the Gregorian calendar is not as grand as Christmas, but on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, people will carry out various celebrations according to local customs to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. On New Year's Eve, English people often go out to visit with cakes and wine. They went straight to their relatives and friends' houses without knocking. According to British custom, after the 1001 night of New Year's Eve, the first person who steps into the house indicates the luck of the new year. If the first guest is a man with dark hair, or a happy, happy and rich person, the host will be very lucky all the year round. If the first guest is a woman with light yellow hair, or a sad, poor and unfortunate person, then the host will be unlucky and will encounter difficulties and disasters in the new year. People who visit relatives and friends' homes on New Year's Eve should first stir the fire in the fireplace and wish the host "open the door" before speaking. Most New Year celebrations in Britain are held on the bonfire night on New Year's Eve, and the "welcome banquet" is one of them. This kind of banquet is divided into "family banquet" and "group banquet", which usually starts at 8 pm on New Year's Eve and ends in the early morning of New Year's Day. There are all kinds of wine, food and snacks at the banquet for people to drink all night. At midnight, people turn on the radio and listen to the New Year bell of the church clock. When the bell rang, people were jubilant, raised their glasses and cheered, and sang "Sunlight in the Past". The "New Year's Eve Dance" is another celebration. Local hotels and dances, night arrival. People dressed in festive costumes came to these brightly decorated dance halls from all directions, dancing to the beautiful music, and thousands of people gathered in various squares, singing and dancing around the fountain and the statue of Cupid in the center of the square, and reveling endlessly. Television stations also broadcast live in the square, so that people who "keep the age" can also enjoy this joy.

Germany

There is a week before and after the German New Year celebration. During this period, every household should put a fir tree and a horizontal tree, and the leaves are covered with silk flower, indicating that the flowers are in full bloom and the spring is full. Just before midnight New Year's Eve, the Germans climbed into the chair. As soon as the bell rang, they jumped up from their chairs and threw a heavy object behind the back of the chair to show that they had abandoned the disaster and entered the new year. The children formed a band, put on new clothes and lined up to play in the street with harmonicas and accordions. The adults held colorful flags and shouted and sang behind them to celebrate the New Year. German women will improvise comedy sketches with the theme of family in the New Year. In rural Germany, there is a custom to celebrate the New Year-"Tree Climbing Competition". Boys climb along bare trees, and the first place is called "New Year Hero" to show their promotion step by step.

Iran

Iran has an Islamic calendar, and the seasons and months are not fixed. In Iran, celebrating the New Year means celebrating the arrival of spring, usually in the late March of the solar calendar. It takes a week to celebrate the New Year. People flocked to the street to light a "bonfire"-"night fire", and then the whole family jumped down from the night fire in turn, indicating that they would burn "bad luck", usher in the light, drive away evil spirits and diseases, and enjoy happiness forever. We should eat "seven dishes" on New Year's Eve, and the name of each dish should start with the letter "S" to show good luck. From grade one to grade three, people visit relatives and friends and wish each other a happy Spring Festival. On the last day of the new year, the whole family went out for an outing to ward off evil spirits.

France

Celebrating the New Year with wine, people began to revel in drinking on New Year's Eve until 65438+1October 3. The French believe that the weather on New Year's Day indicates a new year. On the morning of New Year's Day, they went to the streets to see the wind direction for divination: the south wind blows, which indicates that the weather will be good and the year will be safe and hot; When the west wind blows, there is a bumper harvest year for fishing and milking; If the east wind blows, the fruit will be rich; When the north wind blows, it is a poor harvest year.