New Year Traditions Have a Variety of Faces

As the oldest of all holidays, New Year, is a time of rebirth, which has its origin in ancient Babylon, nearly 4000 years ago. It was originally thought to have been celebrated on March 15th. Julius Caesar made January 1st as New Year's day, in 46. B.C.

New Year Resolution

The original favourite New Year resolution was to return borrowed farm tools, in ancient Babylon.

Still every year thousands of people around the world, say goodbye to the old year and promise themselves a new beginning with New Year resolutions. Yet these resolutions are the most breakable promises in the world, for come January 15th, most have been forgotten.

Fear and custom is the source of many of the traditions that surround the celebration. Perhaps none more strange than the source of gathering with your friends and family at midnight. It was believed that what you did on the first day of the year set the pattern for the whole year. Gathering together with those you loved in the first few moments of the New Year, was thus very important.

United States of America:

In Times Square, New York, thousands come together to watch a ball do a one-minute descent, heralding in midnight. The first iron and wood ball was dropped in 1907. The current Waterford Crystal ball, with a six foot diameter, weighs 1,070 pounds. There are many people who would like to know what the crystal ball ushers in this year, for a world in deep financial trouble. The word is that fortune telling is one business that is on the rise.

Auld Lang Syne

Throughout every English speaking country in the world, the New Year is ushered in with the singing of Auld Lang Syne. A song that is renown for containing the most forgettable lyrics in the world. Lyrics which very few people would even understand. Here are the lyrics for you to have fun with New Year's eve:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne.

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,

For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,

And surely I'll be mine,

And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,

For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,

And pou'd the gowans fine,

But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,

Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,

Frae morning sun till dine,

But seas between us braid hae roar'd

Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,

And gie's a hand o thine,

And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,

For auld lang syne.

Although not written by him, Robert Burns first published the song 1796. He had learned the song from an old Scottish man.

Made popular by Guy Lombardo, it was played at the Warldorf Astoria, New York, every New Year's eve from 1930 to 1976. This included the years of the Second World War.

Greek Traditions:

In Greece the symbol of a baby is still used on New Year banners. It was meant to symbolize the annual rebirth.

Japanese Tradition:

New Year is a time when all misunderstandings and quarrels are forgiven. This was represented by the forget-the-year party, as well as sending New Year cards.

Netherlands Traditions:

The Netherlands lit up the New Year and purged the old, with bonfires.

Chinese Traditions:

China, being the home of fireworks, believes demons are chased away and good luck brought in. If you are wandering through China on Chinese New Year, (February) you will not be able to tell the difference between gun fire and fireworks that continuously go off around you. A second Chinese tradition is to throw out your old furniture and buy new. Of course you leave your old furniture on the pavement, for others to pick up for free. What is old to you, is new to someone else.

Spanish Traditions:

In Spain you will get to eat twelve grapes. One for each good month in the coming year.

English Traditions:

An old English tradition is to make sure you eat a piece of Christmas cake for 12 different cakes, so as to ensure a year’s prosperity. Perhaps that was the Queen’s problem when she had her “Annus horribilus”. She didn’t get a slice from enough different cakes.

So we have only touched just one or two of New Year traditions. You can check out this really great site for traditions, world wide.