In Canada and many other countries, a new year begins on Jan. 1. However, this was not always the norm. In the past, New Year’s Day has been celebrated in September, March and even December.
It was the Romans who first observed Jan. 1 as the start of the new year, beginning in 153 BC. By medieval times, however, much of Europe had shifted to celebrating March 25 as the start of the new year. It was not until 1582 that the Roman Catholic Church officially made Jan. 1 New Year’s Day. Eventually, most European countries adopted the date, although it did not happen overnight — Russia, for instance, did not make the switch until 1918.
The choice of Jan. 1 as the start of the new year is fitting, as the month of January is named after the Roman god Janus. Janus was the god of new beginnings, transitions and doorways. He has two faces, to show that he looks to both the past and the future.
Around the world, people celebrate in different ways. The U.S. is famous for their New Year’s Eve festivities held in Times Square, New York. As the clock approaches midnight, the brightly decorated Times Square ball “drops” by descending a pole, resting at midnight. This tradition has lasted over a century. Often at midnight, couples kiss, a gesture believed to bring good luck.
Other countries have their own distinct traditions. In Denmark, for instance, people smash plates on the doors of their loved ones. The more broken dishes at one’s doorstep, the luckier they are said to be in the coming year.
In parts of Puerto Rico, people open their windows and dump buckets of water out of them to drive away evil spirits. For extra good luck, some sprinkle sugar on their doorsteps.
Some traditions centre around food. In Spain, people try to eat 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight, one for each chime. Successfully consuming all 12 grapes within the first minute of the new year is believed to bring good luck for the year ahead.
In the Philippines, families display 12 round fruits, a tradition that originates in Chinese culture. In many Asian cultures, round objects such as fruits symbolize luck and wealth, so displaying round fruits can attract prosperity for the year ahead.
While these traditions may differ, they all share a common goal — to bring luck and prosperity in the new year. As different as these traditions may be, the wish for prosperity in the new year transcends cultures around the world.
