The history of the New Year dates back to ancient Babylon around 2000 BCE, but the date has changed significantly over time due to different calendars and traditions. Ancient cultures celebrated it at various times, such as the spring and autumn equinoxes or winter solstice. In 46 BCE, the Julian calendar set January 1 as New Year's Day, a practice later restored by the Gregorian calendar in 1582 after periods where other dates like March 25 were used.
Ancient origins
- Ancient Babylon: The first known New Year celebrations were in Babylon around 2000 BCE, marking the vernal (spring) equinox in late March with an 11-day festival called Akitu.
- Ancient Egyptians: Celebrated New Year with the flooding of the Nile River.
- Ancient Greeks: Celebrated it on the winter solstice, which is around December 21 or 22.
- Ancient Romans: Initially celebrated the new year on March 1, but later changed the official date to January 1 after 153 BCE.
Roman and Medieval shifts
- Julius Caesar: His 46 BCE Julian calendar established January 1 as the start of the year, also naming the month after the Roman god Janus.
- Early Middle Ages: In Christian Europe, New Year's Day was moved to March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation) or other dates, such as Easter or December 25, depending on the region.
Modern January 1
- Gregorian calendar: In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII established the Gregorian calendar, which restored January 1 as New Year's Day.
- Adoption: Many countries gradually adopted this date, with the last major nation, Russia, doing so in 1918.
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Traditions
New Year traditions include symbolic foods, like eating 12 grapes in Spain or black- eyed peas in the American South for good luck, and wearing specific coloured underwear for prosperity, such as red in Italy for luck or yellow in Bolivia for prosperity. Other traditions feature events like first-footing in Scotland to bring good luck to a household, fireworks displays worldwide, and midnight kisses to ensure lasting love.
Symbolic foods and actions
- Eat 12 grapes: In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at midnight, with each grape representing a wish for each month of the year.
- Eat black-eyed peas: In the American South, black-eyed peas are eaten for good luck and prosperity in the new year.
- Eat greens: In Europe, cabbage or other greens are eaten to bring prosperity.
- Wear specific coloured underwear: In some cultures, wearing a certain colour of underwear on New Year's Eve is believed to bring luck.
- Red: Italy and Turkey for luck and love.
- Yellow: Bolivia for prosperity, and Brazil for happiness and rebirth.
- Kiss at midnight: Sharing a kiss at midnight is thought to ensure lasting love for the year ahead.
Rituals and gatherings
- First-footing: In Scotland and other regions, the first person to enter a home after midnight is considered important for good luck.
- Fireworks: A common tradition worldwide, including Australia, where it's a major event.
- Watch-night services: Many Christians attend a special church service on New Year's Eve to mark the occasion.
- Singing "Auld Lang Syne": This is a traditional way to welcome the new year in parts of the United Kingdom and other places.
Superstitions
- Avoid chores: In some cultures, doing chores like sweeping, cleaning, or laundry on New Year's Day is considered bad luck, as it is believed to sweep away good fortune.