New Year’s names and New Year’s traditional customs in various countries

Thailand

Thailand’s traditional New Year, the "Songkran Festival" ("Songkran" is the transliteration of Sanskrit), also called the "Water Splashing Festival", falls on April 13 of each year in the Gregorian calendar. to the 16th. During the festival, people carry or carry huge Buddha statues in vehicles. The Buddha statues are followed by floats. On the floats stand the "Songqian Goddess" in makeup. Groups of young men and women, dressed in bright colors, Wearing national costumes, beating long drums, singing and dancing. On both sides of the road where the procession passes, faithful men and women walk along the road, filling silver bowls with water soaked in bay leaves and soaked with spices, and pouring it on the Buddha statues and "Songqian Goddess" to pray for good luck in the new year and good weather. They sprinkle water on each other to wish their elders a long and healthy life with a smile, and they wish their relatives and friends a happy new year. Unmarried young men and women use splashing water to express their love for each other. On the first day of the New Year, Thai people put a basin of water on the window sill or at the door, and every household goes to the outskirts of the river to take a New Year bath. To celebrate the New Year, Thais hold a large-scale "Elephant Competition", which includes: human-elephant tug-of-war, jumping elephants picking up objects, elephants crossing the body, elephant football games, ancient elephant array performances, etc. Very exciting and moving.

Egypt

Egypt is an ancient civilization. In 40 BC, the Egyptians were able to observe the stars. They discovered that Sirius and the sun rose together, and the Nile River immediately rose. In Egypt, the day when the Nile River rises is the beginning of the new year. Known as the "New Year of Rising Water," the Klute people of Egypt welcome the New Year by placing a table at the door with seven or eight plates filled with grains of soybeans, lentils, alfalfa, and wheat, as well as many small buds of green plants. Symbolizes abundance. The more you give to God, the greater your harvest will be in the new year. The Egyptian New Year is in autumn, because Egyptian agricultural production begins in autumn.

Germany

The German New Year is celebrated one week before and after. During this period, every household must place a fir tree or a cocoon tree with silk flowers tied between the leaves, which means that the world is full of flowers and spring. At midnight on New Year's Eve, just before the New Year arrives, Germans climb on chairs. When the bell rings, they jump off the chair and throw a heavy object behind the chair to show that they are throwing away the trouble and jumping into the New Year. The children formed a band, put on new clothes, held harmonicas and accordions, and lined up to play in the streets. Adults hold colorful flags and follow behind, shouting and singing to celebrate the New Year. German women perform impromptu comedy sketches with family themes during the New Year. There is a New Year custom circulating in rural areas of Germany - the "Tree Climbing Competition", in which young men compete to climb higher along a bare tree. The first place is hailed as the "New Year's Hero" to show that they are rising higher and higher. .

India

India celebrates the first five days of the New Year from October 31st every year, and the fourth day is New Year's Day. On the first day of the new year, no one is allowed to be angry with others, let alone lose their temper. In some areas of India, on the morning of New Year's Day, every household cries constantly, with tears streaming down everyone's face. They say that time is fleeting and life is short, so crying to welcome the New Year is a lament for life. In some areas, people fast for a day and night to welcome the new year, starting from the early morning of New Year's Day until midnight. Because of this weird custom, New Year's Day in India is known as "New Year's Day of crying" and "New Year's Day of fasting". In the five days before the Chinese New Year, Indians will perform the Indian epic "Ramayana" (meaning Rama's Parade) everywhere, and play the heroes in the epic to "fight" against paper giants. The "heroes" will light fires. With arrows, the paper giant was set on fire amidst the cheers of the audience. Before New Year's Eve, various exquisite pictures were posted in front of every house. On the morning of New Year's Day, people carry exquisite small lamps and red packets and go out to pay New Year greetings to the elderly, relatives and friends. After meeting and congratulating each other, they would apply red powder on each other's foreheads to express good luck and good luck. Young people put red ink into water guns and shoot it on relatives and friends, which is called "sprinkling red", which means good luck and good luck. Indian youths like to meet and fight with each other during the New Year regardless of whether they are familiar with it or not. Onlookers cheer and cheer, and they often become the targets of girls' pursuit.

To celebrate the New Year, the Boshila people, an indigenous people in central India, erected a sleek and thick wooden pole in the playground. There was a small bag containing gifts on the top of the pole. The girls held the bamboo pole and tried their best to stop the young man climbing up the pole. The boys and girls formed a circle under the pole, trying to defend themselves against the girls' attacks on the pole climber until the pole climber captured the pouch and won.

Iran

Iran follows the Islamic calendar, and its seasons and months are not fixed. In Iran, celebrating the New Year means celebrating the arrival of spring, usually in late March of the Gregorian calendar. The New Year is celebrated grandly for a week. People flock to the streets to light "bonfires" - "night fires", and then the whole family jumps on the night fire in turn. Jumping back and forth means burning away "bad luck", ushering in light, driving away evil spirits and eliminating diseases, and lasting happiness. There are "seven dishes" to be eaten on New Year's Eve, and the name of each dish must start with the letter "S" to show good luck. From the first to the third day of the lunar month, people visit relatives and friends and wish each other a happy Spring Festival. On the last day of the new year, the whole family goes on an outing to avoid evil.

Japan

The Japanese pay special attention to the New Year, and December 29th to January 3rd is a national holiday every year. The Japanese call December 31st the "big dark day", which is also New Year's Eve. On New Year's Eve, the Japanese call it "New Year's Eve". On New Year's Eve, they pray to the gods for blessings, bid farewell to the troubled old year, and usher in a beautiful new year, which is called "Hatsuachi". At midnight on New Year's Eve, temples in urban and rural areas ring their bells 108 times to drive away evil. The Japanese sit quietly and listen to the "New Year's Eve Bell". The silence of the bell means the arrival of the New Year. People then left their seats and went to bed, hoping for a good dream. On the morning of New Year's Day, family members sit together and tell each other about the dreams they had on New Year's Eve to gauge good or bad luck. The Japanese call the first day of New Year's Day "the first day of the new year". The 1st to 3rd are the "Three Happy Days". On the official day, the younger generation must first go to their parents to pay New Year greetings, and then go to the homes of relatives and friends to pay New Year greetings. The New Year is also an "eating" festival, and people of all countries eat their own national food. On this day, the Japanese eat a hearty breakfast, such as sugar rice, soba noodles, etc., and drink Tusu wine for three consecutive days to show their piety and pray. May you have good luck in the coming year. Nowadays, most urban residents in Japan have given up on the vegetarian diet during the New Year and instead eat a meal of hollow noodles on New Year’s Eve to wish for health and longevity in the new year.

North Korea

Like China, North Korea also has the custom of putting up window grilles and peach charms during the New Year. Some families put up couplets and New Year pictures on their doors to pray to God. Bless, drive away ghosts, and grant happiness. At dawn on New Year's Day, people stuff some banknotes into the scarecrows pre-tied on New Year's Eve and throw them at the crossroads to send away evil and welcome good luck. At dusk, people put the whole family together. The hair that has fallen out in the middle of the year is burned to wish the family peace all year round. During the Spring Festival, North Korean women wear new clothes called "blessing scarves" and patterned five-color hats. They wear clothes and have a swing competition. They target a tree flower to see who can kick or bite it first. Some people hang a bell on a high place and the one who rings it first is the winner. In addition to enjoying fine wine and delicacies, you must also make a sweet rice made of glutinous rice, pine nuts, chestnut powder, date paste, honey, etc., and cook it into a sweet rice similar to our country's eight-treasure rice, to indicate that the family will live a prosperous life As sweet as honey.

UK

In the UK, although New Year’s Day is not as grand as Christmas, various celebrations are still carried out on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day according to local customs. To see off the old and welcome the new, the British often bring cakes and wine to visit them late at night on New Year's Eve. They go straight into the homes of relatives and friends without knocking on the door. According to British custom, after the New Year's Eve, they walk into the house. The person with the first foot indicates good luck in the new year. If the first guest is a dark-haired man, or a happy, happy and wealthy person, the owner will have good luck throughout the year. If the guest is a woman with fair hair, or a sad, poor, or unfortunate person, the host will have bad luck in the new year and will encounter difficulties and disasters. People who visit relatives and friends on New Year's Eve before talking to each other. First go to stir the fire in the fireplace and wish the host "good luck".

Most of the British New Year celebrations are held on New Year's Eve, and the "New Year's Eve" is one of them. This kind of banquet is divided into two types: "family banquet" and "group banquet". The banquet usually starts at 8 pm on New Year's Eve until New Year's Day. Ended in the early morning. A variety of fine wines, delicacies and snacks were provided at the banquet for people to drink to their heart's content all night long. At midnight, people turn on the radio and listen to the New Year's bell of the church bell. When the bell rings, people are full of joy, toast, cheer and sing "Daylight of the Past". The "New Year's Eve Ball" is another kind of celebration. Night falls by local hotels and dance parties. People dressed in festive costumes came from all directions to these newly decorated dance halls with bright lights, dancing to the wonderful music. Thousands of people also gathered in various squares, surrounding the fountains and fountains in the center of the square. Los Elephants, singing, dancing, and enjoying the carnival. The TV station is also broadcasting live in the square, so that people who are "watching the New Year" here can also enjoy the fun.

Customs of various places

Tibetan people

Each ethnic group has its own unique culture and living habits. The Tibetan people are an ancient and enthusiastic nation. In their long history During the period, they also formed their own living habits and taboos in life.

1. When two friends who have reunited after a long separation greet each other or chat, you cannot put your hands on each other's shoulders.

2. You cannot step over or step on other people's clothes, nor put your own clothes on other people's clothes, nor can you step over others.

3. Women should not dry clothes, especially pants and underwear, where everyone passes by.

4. Do not whistle or cry loudly in the room.

5. The family is away from home and the guests have just left. Do not sweep the floor or take out the garbage at noon, after sunset and on the first day of the Tibetan New Year.

6. Outsiders cannot mention the name of the deceased in front of his relatives.

7. The work that should be completed this year cannot be left to next year, such as twisting wool, knitting sweaters, carpets, etc.

8. Don’t just walk into other people’s homes at dusk, especially when there will be pregnant women, newly delivered mothers, or seriously ill people, and strangers are not allowed to go.

9. Do not take out any property at home after noon.

10. When a stranger comes to mountains and cliffs and canyons that you have never been to before, you cannot make loud noises.

11. Do not step on or step on eating utensils, pots, bowls, pans, etc.

12. If two people at home go out at the same time and walk in opposite directions, they cannot leave the house at the same time. They must go out before and after and at separate times.

13. Women cannot comb or wash their hair at night, nor can they go out with their hair down.

14. When using brooms and dustpans, they cannot be passed directly by hand. They must be placed on the ground first, and then another person picks them up from the ground.

15. Whenever relatives and friends come to your home or visit you, they will give you some butter tea or highland barley wine as gifts. When the guests leave, they should clear out the things. They cannot empty them all and must leave them behind. Put some inside or replace it with some of your own stuff.

16. Bowls with chips or cracks cannot be used for eating or serving tea to guests.

Yi Nationality

The Torch Festival of the Yi Nationality, which is also the Year of the Yi Nationality. In the eyes of the Yi people, fire symbolizes light, justice, prosperity, and a powerful force that can destroy all evil. The Torch Festival is a festival of joy, love and happiness for the Yi people.

As for the origin of the Torch Festival, there are many beautiful and touching stories circulated among the people in the Yi areas of various provinces. One of them says: A long time ago, the sky and the earth were connected. One year, the god Sitigura sent Sireabi to the human world to collect taxes. Due to disasters in the world and poor harvests, people could not pay taxes. There was a strong man in the world, Oti Laba, who could eat copper and iron, and beat the tax collector Sitherabi to death. The god was furious and sent a flood first to drown the humans on the earth, but the flood was defeated by the people. God also released various pests to the human world to eat people's crops. Otilaba and everyone gathered around the fire pit to discuss ways to control the pests. They accidentally discovered that an insect that fell into the fire pit was quickly burned to death.

So Erti Laba organized everyone to hold torches to burn the insects, and finally defeated the pests and won a bumper harvest. Over time, it became a custom and formed the Torch Festival of the Yi people. The Torch Festival of the Yi people usually lasts for three days. On the first day, the whole family gathers together to drink and celebrate. People cook the livestock meat and cut it into lumps to offer sacrifices to gods and ancestors, and then use them to drink wine. At night, torches are lit everywhere, usually lasting three nights. People were very excited. People take villages as units and hold high torches to light up the villages and fields, like thousands of fire dragons soaring. On the second and third days, the Torch Festival reached its climax, and the whole Liangshan was boiling. Young men put on national costumes and wore headbands with heroic knots; women wore pleated skirts and gathered on the vast grass dam to participate in various traditional sports competitions. The young men competed in wrestling, horse racing, and archery, while the women sang, danced, and played the harmonica.

In some areas, pigs and sheep are killed during the festival to worship the gods; in some areas, a chicken is slaughtered and brought to the edge of the field to offer sacrifices to the "Tian Gong and Earth Mother". People believe that torches can drive away ghosts and evil spirits, so after lighting the torch, they have to go from house to house to light it and spread rosin on the fire while walking. This is called "sending off evil spirits". Undoubtedly, this is a relic of the ancient concept of fire worship.

During the Torch Festival, the busiest place is the bullring. Bullfighting is not only an entertainment activity, but also a good way to select good breed cattle, which is of great significance to agriculture and animal husbandry production. Whoever's cow wins the competition means that the young man who raises the cow is a hard-working livestock expert, and is often a good candidate for girls to choose as spouses. Wrestling is another event that attracts spectators at the Torch Festival. As the two wrestled, thousands of people gathered, including relatives and friends, to cheer them on. Before and after the game, the girls watching played the harmonica and the young man played the yueqin to express their love.

The "beauty pageant" activity is unique. The "beauty pageant" is judged by a respected senior citizen. After the referee announced the start of the "beauty pageant", the Yi girls participating in the contest formed a circle. The latter held the flower handkerchief in the hands of the former and sang beautiful and moving folk songs as they walked. There are the largest number of young men watching here, and they are also the most generous. When the boys think which girl is the most beautiful, they hand the gift they have prepared to the referee and ask the referee to pass it to the girl on his behalf. Whichever girl receives the most gifts will be declared the beauty. When the girl who was elected as the beauty walked out of the venue with many gifts on her back and a blush on her face, her relatives and friends gathered around to express their congratulations; the young men even gathered around the girl, playing the Yueqin tinklingly to express themselves. voice.

On the fourth day, a few people sweep up the ashes of the torches and offer wine and meat as sacrifices to pray for good luck.