the aspect is that it is celebrated differently in each country and is rich in traditions and customs that have lived on for centuries.
On New Year’s Day, doll-people with long wooden legs can be seen on the streets of Columbia as a symbol of the old year. The Scots take a piece of coal to the host with the intention that "the fire in the hearth will never go out, and the table will be full." In the course of our article you will learn about the ancient traditions of celebrating the New Year in countries such as England, Italy, China, Vietnam.
Salt is a symbol of wealth
In England, in 1752, the New Year received official holiday status. In 1843, it became a tradition to send congratulatory letters to friends on this date. A big party will be held on the streets of London on this day, and anyone who comes to Berkeley Square can become a carnival participant.
The British believe that the first guest of the New Year will definitely bring good luck to the family members. That is why they often expect a young, handsome and healthy guy. Brown, blonde-haired men, as well as women, should not be put in the house as much as possible. In some parts of the country, hair color is ignored. People bring bread, pies, salt and a piece of charcoal for hospitality. Because bread and pies are a symbol of abundance, coal is a symbol of heat, and salt is a symbol of wealth.
When the famous “Big Ben” in London rings at 24 o’clock, the fireworks start and everyone sings the holiday anthem. According to an ancient tradition, at these moments the doors of the house are opened to observe the old year and meet the New Year.
The debt should remain in the old year
In Italy, the New Year is called Capodanno. The main festivities will take place on January 6 at the Piazza del Popolo in Rome. True Italians need to get rid of their debts before the New Year, throwing broken dishes, old clothes and furniture out the window into the street. Although a large part of the population is giving up this habit over time, it is still dangerous to walk the streets of Rome on the eve of the holiday. A similar custom exists in Nepal, where a large bonfire is lit on a moonlit night and unnecessary items are thrown into it.
Usually Italians buy red clothes and accessories on New Year’s Eve. That’s why store shelves are filled with red items. The holiday table must include a dish made of walnuts, grapes and lentils. Because in Italy, walnuts - a symbol of longevity, grapes - a symbol of peace, lentils - a symbol of health. In some parts of the country, 12 grapes are consumed before the New Year in order to become rich. Also, the dishes are broken to get rid of the negative consequences. Couples who dream of having children eat pomegranates together, and those who want their marriage to be prosperous will go out on January 1, filling their pockets.
In Italy, Santa Claus is called Babbo Natale and he is very similar to the American Santa Claus. However, the holiday gifts are given to the children not by her, but by the noble Feya Befana. Legend has it that he would fly in the middle of the night and leave a variety of sweets for those who set an example to others with his good manners and manners throughout the year, and a piece of charcoal for the rioters.
It is good to meet an old or fat person on the street the day after the New Year, and also to bring water from a spring to the house in the early morning, that is, before sunrise.
The holiday is celebrated twice
In China, the New Year is celebrated twice: on January 1 and when the new moon rises. In this country, the New Year is called Chunsze (Spring Festival) and has a centuries-old history. The Chinese have traditionally celebrated for 15 days from the day the new moon appeared. Usually this happened in January-February.
The people of this country really clean their houses and stick snow-white papers on the doorstep. Through this, the dark forces are expelled. On this day, family members wear bright red clothes. Red, on the other hand, drives away evil spirits. The Chinese, like the Italians, are trying to get out of debt.
After a festive dinner, children are usually given a “happiness money” in a red envelope. They think it’s bringing good luck throughout the year. In the past, 100 dolls were given as a gift to mark a hundred years of life.
The Chinese have another interesting tradition: to celebrate the holiday% 0 ѺeldD0an the guest will give homeowners 2 tangerines. In turn, he receives 2 other mandarins from the hosts on his return. This custom originated about 1000 BC and means a pair of mandarins meaning “gold”.
In general, the custom of giving a gift to a couple has long been preserved, meaning a married couple. The guest handed the gift to the host before leaving or hid it on one side of the house. Elderly people are not given watches, toys, children's clothes.
In China, even if one of the family members is unable to attend the celebration, he or she is left with a place around the table. The knife will not be used as the New Year approaches. Because he could accidentally cut off the happiness or luck that comes from the unseen.
In the north, dumplings are served, and in the south, ugra. Both foods are a sign of longevity. No one sleeps that day. Because the sleeping man misses the happiness that comes.
Peach or apricot tree instead of spruce
In Vietnam, the New Year is celebrated between January 20 and February 20 according to the lunar calendar and is called Tet. In homes in the north of the country, a blossoming peach twig is planted on the eve of the holiday, or a small mandarin tree is made. The streets are decorated with flowering twigs and bouquets. In the houses in the south, the branches, which have five apricot blossoms, serve as a ‘spruce’. They also put watermelons on the house altar. Her crimson sweet pieces were bringing good luck.
Tet is a family holiday where children and grandchildren congratulate their grandparents and parents. The adults also greet the younger members of the family and give them money in red bags.
On this day, women wear red and yellow and men wear black. The priests in the temples also present visitors with money in a red bag. The Vietnamese buy cornflowers and release them into a ditch or pool, stating their intentions for the New Year.
Due to the fact that the people of the country have preserved their traditions and customs for thousands of years, the influx of tourists here on the eve of Tet holiday is growing.
