The transition from the previous to the brand new yr has had a symbolic which means for folks since time immemorial. Since when is the New 12 months celebrated on January 1?
New 12 months – what immediately?
In historic Babylon, the vacation was known as Akitu. Today was celebrated round 2350 BC. It was crucial vacation in Babylon and Assyria. It’s celebrated on the finish of March and April, when the brand new yr started based on the lunar calendar and the wet season started. Akitu was initially a farmers' pageant and its 'agricultural' character continued later. The inhabitants of Babylon prayed to their gods, hoping for an excellent and ample harvest within the coming yr.
In historic Egypt, the start of the yr was celebrated on the finish of September, when the Nile flooded. The celebration lasted for a month. Presently loud events had been held, singing and dancing, colourful and loud processions headed in the direction of the Pharaoh's face. The Egyptians had purpose to be completely happy – the flooding of the Nile assured to irrigate their fields and provides them a bountiful harvest. Within the years when there was no flood, Egypt was threatened with famine, which shook the nation to its foundations and threatened with warfare.
The Celts celebrated the New 12 months from October 31 to November 1. It was additionally the tip of summer season. Furthermore, at the present time, earlier than Samhain, was additionally celebrated because the Day of the Useless.
In lots of cultures, equivalent to Babylon, Egypt and (initially) Rome, the New 12 months was recognized with the rebirth of nature and the hope of a profitable harvest.
For years, March 1 marked the start of the brand new yr for the traditional Romans. Nevertheless, in some unspecified time in the future, a change occurred and the Romans started to have fun on January 1. The place did this variation come from? This query was answered by Fr. Prof. Jozef Naumovich for “Tygodnik TVP”. Let's quote his phrases:
“By full coincidence, which occurred lengthy earlier than Jesus Christ got here into the world, as a result of in most cultures the yr started in spring, that is when life begins. Nevertheless, a change occurred in Rome in 153 BC, when each consuls—chief Roman officers and army commanders—had been killed within the Spanish Conflict. Often, their time period of workplace lasted for one yr – from March 15. Since each had died and the warfare was ongoing, two new consuls needed to be chosen, who had been sworn in on December 31 and took workplace on January 1. Yearly since then, the executive yr within the Roman Republic started on January 1.
The change within the date of the start of the yr was “permitted” through the calendar reform through the reign of Julius Caesar. From the yr 46, the Romans formally celebrated the New 12 months on January 1. On at the present time, grand events had been organized, masks had been made and items got.
Additional modifications got here with Christianity. The primary day of the brand new yr was celebrated on the birthday of Jesus. This date was confirmed by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, however regardless of this settlement, debate continued as as to if this date was the right date for celebrating the New 12 months.
Earlier than the sixteenth century, New 12 months was celebrated on completely different days in Europe. Most frequently it was nonetheless December 25, however there have been additionally holidays, together with: March 25. In Poland, the New 12 months was celebrated on Christmas Day.
New 12 months's Eve
“New 12 months's Eve”, that’s, the night time from December 31 to January 1, was first celebrated in 999. Individuals had been afraid of the tip of the world or some cataclysm coming. When it turned clear that nothing unhealthy had occurred for the reason that stroke of midnight, folks started to have spontaneous enjoyable.
On January 1, 1000, Pope Sylvester II blessed “town and the world” for all believers.orb and orb)which turned a papal custom and continues to at the present time.
In 1573, King Charles IX of France established January 1 as the start of the yr. This was meant to convey collectively very completely different celebrations in several elements of the nation. January 1 was additionally legitimate in Russia.
New 12 months's events appeared solely on the finish of the nineteenth century. Earlier in Europe, New 12 months was not thought-about as a vacation that required a particular celebration.
Celebrating the New 12 months immediately is already a convention. In numerous elements of the world, the customs associated to New 12 months's and New 12 months's celebrations are completely different, however virtually in every single place you are able to do with out good enjoyable, music and a glass of champagne at midnight.
Completely satisfied New 12 months!
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the tip of the world