The many ways and days in the year to celebrate the New Year – by Sarita
The New Year, in any culture, is a time for self-reflection, letting go of what no longer serves us, and celebrating a new, ever-evolving positive way forward in life.
The actual date considered for the start of the New Year varies globally, influenced by whether a culture follows a lunar, solar, or lunar-solar calendar system. In ancient times, most calendars were lunar or lunar-solar.
The earliest lunar calendar dates back 30,000 years to the Palaeolithic period, while the first lunar-solar calendar appeared around 9,000 years ago in India. The first known solar calendar was developed in ancient Egypt about 6,000 years ago.
The Adoption of the Gregorian Calendar
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII influenced the creation of a solar (patriarchal) calendar. Over time, through extensive Christian influence, this calendar was adopted worldwide. However, many cultures around the world still use lunar or solar-lunar calendars but it’s not commonly known in the western world.
A lunar-solar calendar respects both feminine and masculine life experiences. Cultures that honour both the cycles tend to be balanced and harmonious. The feminine, naturally attuned to the moon and the tides, aligns with the lunar cycle. The masculine, influenced by the sunspot activity affecting testosterone, aligns with the sun.
Most New Year celebrations worldwide are linked to the end of winter and the onset of spring, typically between March and April. However, The Romans chose 1st January as the new year date to honour Janus, the Roman God of beginnings, and this date has persisted through the centuries.
Celebrating New Beginnings Around the World
The Chinese New Year (based on a lunar-solar calendar) begins on the New Moon between 21st January and 20th February, marking the start of spring. Celebrations include housecleaning, gift-giving, and colourful lanterns. Similar festivities occur in Tibet, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan.
In India, New Year’s celebrations vary regionally, with about 14 regions following a solar calendar and 14 a lunar calendar. Most of them celebrate the New Year between March and April. The Vikram Samvat, on 22nd March, is a significant festival for millions of Hindus worldwide. It symbolises new beginnings and is thought to bring luck if new ventures are started on that day.
In Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese New Year honours the sun and begins at a time calculated by astrologers. The end of the old year and the beginning of the new year are 12 hours and 48 minutes apart, denoting the sun’s transition from Pisces to Aries. The New Year begins at the midpoint of this transition. The gap, reserved for introspection, is known as the Nonagathe, meaning the ‘neutral period’ or ‘Auspicious Time.’
In Bali they follow the lunar-solar calendar and celebrate the New Year in March or April. The celebrations are rich in symbolism, representing rebirth, enlightenment, and oneness. The exact dates are determined by astrologers. The celebrations include various rituals that are carried on for a few days. Most villages begin preparations months before by making Ogoh-Ogoh. These are gigantic, highly artistic, grotesque and demonic entities made out of papier-mâché and bamboo. On the auspicious day before Nyepi, (a day of silence, fasting and introspection) the Ogoh-Ogoh are paraded all around the village with great fanfare after which they are burned. This is followed by Nyepi. During these 24 hours there is no fire, no light, no work, no travelling, no entertainment. This is then followed by a ritual to forgive each other and welcome the New Year.
New Year Blessings
It’s fascinating to study the multitude of ways people honour seasons and cycles around the world. Interestingly, most of the New Year festivities call for introspection, cleansing, celebration and connection.
Wherever you are, in whichever way you find meaningful to honour the New Year, may love, abundance, radiant health, and joy light your way.
Featured image by Benoît Deschasaux on unsplash.com
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