By: Anna Li
Gregorian New Year
Date: Jan 1
Celebrated: Worldwide
Traditions: Across the world, people stay up till the stroke of midnight to see fireworks and celebrations of the New Year in the universal Gregorian calendar. Our modern calendar is based on the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, and a year is counted after one complete rotation. At Times Square in New York, the time ball ascends from the flagpole on top of One Times Square and once it hits the floor that signals the beginning of a new year. Millions of people gather to watch these events, with numerous famous performers on New Year’s Eve such as Sabrina Carpenter, Flo Rida, Megan Thee Stallion, and many more.
Lunar New Year
Date: Jan 29
Celebrated: East Asia (China, Vietnam, Korea, and etc.)
Traditions: From traditional lion dances to mouthwatering food, the Lunar New Year is a joyous time for celebration. In these cultures, it’s not one day, but a 15 day ordeal that begins with the new moon during January and ends with the full moon in February. During this time, many wear red due to its association with luck and prosperity, which is especially prevalent in the tradition of elders giving young folks red envelopes of money. In many countries, businesses halt and workers return to their hometowns to spend time with their beloved family and friends.
Nowruz (Persian New Year)
Date: March 20
Celebrated: Iran, Central Asia, Middle East
Traditions: Nowruz marks the end of an old year and the beginning of a new year as an opportunity to reflect on the past and set plans for the future. This celebration lasts around 13 days, and it is rooted in the religion of Zoroastrianism. Before the start of the new years, there is a tradition of spring cleaning that takes place before loved ones can reunite. Preparing the Haft-Seen table (or table of 7) is arguably one of the most important tasks. It begins with laying a special cloth, 7 items of symbolic value, a mirror to symbolically reflect the past year, candles to show light and happiness, painted eggs to represent fertility, and then a variety of delicious food dishes.
Rosh Hashanah
Date: September 22/24
Celebrated: Judaism
Traditions: Rosh Hashanah is the new year in Judaism, and it is a two-day event that begins on the first day of the High Holy Days, which is somewhere around late summer/early autumn in the northern hemisphere. Many Jewish families will head to a Synagogue to practice worship on this day. Some of the traditions on this day include blowing a hundred notes on a special and sacred instrument: the Shofar, which is a big horn. People eat slices of apples dipped in honey and honey cakes to symbolize a sweet year ahead. In addition, people may place pomegranates on tables as there is saying that they contain 613 seeds, one for each of the commandments they must keep.
Islamic New Year/Hijri New Year
Date: June 25-26
Celebrated: Middle East, Muslim Communities Worldwide
Traditions: The date for the Islamic New year follows the Hijri calendar, where the new year was chosen by Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second caliph. It lasts for about 10 days, and it is a time of mourning and peace for Muslims. It is forbidden for Muslims to fight during this period of the month. The Day of Ashura is the 10th day, where Sunni Muslims often practice fasting to commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali in 680 CE.