The earliest recorded New Year celebration dates back 4,000 years. In Babylon they celebrated the new year at the first new moon after the vernal equinox. This is usually at the end of March with 11-day festival (Akitu). The holiday was dedicated to the victory of the sky god Marduk over the sea goddess Tiamat and it was a time to decide whether the ruler would continue his reign or a new king would be elected.
The Romans, like the Babylonians, also followed the lunar cycle and celebrated in March until 46 BC, when Emperor Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar. January 1 became the first day of the year in honour of the Roman god of beginnings, Janus. The month of January bears his name Janus or January. The god Janus had two faces and could look into the past and the future at the same time - in the past year and in the coming year.
On New Year's Day, Micronesians changed their names and whispered them to each other. Thus, the evil spirits who wanted to prevent happiness and wealth would get confused. At that moment a drum was to be beaten. That way the spirits would certainly not hear who's name is what. In 365 days, though, the spirit would learn about their names, and that's why the next year the ritual will take place again.
An interesting Greek tradition is to wear a nice smooth stone when visiting on New Year's Eve. The bigger and heavier the better. It was given to the host so that his wallet would be as heavy as the stone.
The Danes used to get on a chair and jump into the new year.
The Swedes collected cracked and chipped plates and glasses all year long and left them at their neighbours’ doors on New Year's Eve. The more pieces there were, the more luck would smile on the neighbours.
In Colombia and Ecuador, they walked around the neighbourhood with suitcases to make the dream of a desired trip come true.
In Irkutia, they celebrated the New Year by diving in air temperature around minus 20 degrees Celsius!
And in Bulgaria, on Jordan Day, they jump into the icy waters to retrieve the cross thrown by the priest. According to the belief, the one who pulls the cross out will be healthy and happy throughout the year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
