For much of the world, the change of year comes with grapes, fireworks, and a countdown that ends at midnight on December 31. However, this idea that the year begins on January 1st is not as universal as we usually think. In reality, it responds to a relatively recent agreement: the Gregorian calendar, established in Europe in 1582 and then extended to the rest of the planet for practical, commercial and political reasons.
But not all cultures have abandoned their traditional calendars. Many have maintained – and maintain – other ways of measuring time, linked to the moon, the sun, agricultural cycles or religion. And with them, other ways to celebrate the start of a new year. These are five of the best known.
Chinese New Year, when the moon reigns
Few New Year celebrations are as recognizable as Chinese New Yearalso called Spring Festival. It has no fixed date: it is celebrated with the first new moon after the winter solsticewhich causes it to fall between the end of January and mid-February.
For several days, even weeks, families come together, eat hearty meals, decorate their homes in red and exchange envelopes with money as wishes for prosperity. Each year is also associated with one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, which marks beliefs, omens and even personality traits.
More than a one-off celebration, it is a real change of cycle.
Songkran, the Thai New Year celebrated with buckets of water
In Thailandthe new year is coming April 13 and it’s called Songkran. Its origin is found in ancient astrological calculations and its meaning is clear: to move from one stage to another, to purify oneself of the old and to start again.
The theory seems calm. Practice not so much. For three days, entire towns become the scene of authentic water battles. It doesn’t matter your age, your status, or if you passed by without knowing it: you will end up soaked.
Water symbolizes purification and good luck, and throwing it on others is a way of wishing them prosperity. Between bathing, there are also temple visits, housework and family reunions.
The Islamic New Year, an introspective celebration
He Islamic New Year is governed by a lunar calendar 354 dayswhich means that each year we are about eleven days ahead of the Gregorian calendar. Starts with the month of Muharram and, unlike other celebrations, it is generally not accompanied by parties or large gatherings.
In many Muslim communities, this change of year is experienced in a way sober and thoughtfulwith prayers, acts of charity and the remembrance of key episodes in the history of Islam. Rather than celebrating what happens, we think about what remains.
It’s a quiet start to the year, but one full of spiritual significance.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year that invites you to look inside yourself
He Jewish New Yearknown as Rosh Hashanahit also has no fixed date. It depends on the Hebrew lunisolar calendar and is generally between September and October. It marks the beginning of a period of introspection which culminates ten days later with Yom Kippur, the day of forgiveness.
On Rosh Hashanah, symbolic foods are eaten – apple with honey, pomegranate, dates – to wish for a sweet and abundant year. This also affects the shofara ram’s horn whose sound is intended to awaken consciences.
It’s not so much a fireworks display as a time to review what we’ve been through and think about how we can better experience what’s to come.
Hindu New Year, several dates for a single country
Talk about New Year in India This is speaking in the plural. After its independence, the country had more than thirty different calendars coexist simultaneously. Even though there is a national calendar today, traditional celebrations continue to punctuate the culture.
In many regions, the New Year is celebrated in springbetween March and April. In others, it is linked to festivities such as Diwalithe famous festival of lights which takes place in the fall and which, for millions of people, symbolizes a new beginning.
Lights, candles and incense serve to celebrate the victory of good over evil and to welcome a new cycle of life.
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