NEW YEAR DAY

New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in the Roman Empire since 45 BC. Romans originally dedicated New Year's Day to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings for whom the first month of the year is named. In present day, with most countries now using the Gregorian calendar as their de facto calendar, New Year's Day is probably the world's most celebrated public holiday, often observed with fire­works at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts in each time zone.

In the United States people observe New Year's Day on January 1st by throwing parties late into the night on the eve of December 31^st. New Year day parade is organized every year. People watch the Orange Bowl game in Florida, the Cotton Bowl in Texas, and the Sugar Bowl in Louisiana. 

A common symbol of New Year's Day is Baby New Year. This is often a white male baby dressed in a diaper, a hat and a sash. The year he represents is printed on his sash. He rarely a newborn baby, as many pictures show him sitting up or even standing alone. According to mythology, Baby New Year grows up and ages in a single year. At the end of the year he is an old man and hands his role over to the next Baby New Year. Other symbols of New Year's Day are spectacular fireworks exploding over landmarks and clocks striking midnight as the year begins.

In Scotland, the New Year is called Hogmanay. In the villages of Scotland, barrels of tar are set afire and then rolled down the streets. This ritual symbolizes that the old year is burned up and the new one is allowed to enter. After welcoming the New Year, all the people of the household would wait to see who the first person to enter the house after midnight will be, as this person would indicate whether they would have good luck or bad luck for the coming year. The first person must be a dark haired male, young virile, good natured and prosperous. He should not be empty handed and was supposed to bring with him a small gift such as a piece of coal, bread, salt as they were symbols of life.

On New Year's Day children from wakeup early to make the rounds to their neighbors singing songs. They are given coins, mince pies, apples and other sweets for singing. This must be done by noon or the singer will be called fools.

In Greece New Year's Day is also called as the Festival of Saint Basil. St Basil was one the forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Church. He is remembered for his kindness and generosity to the poor. He is thought to have died on this date so this is how they honor him.

The cake is distributed in accordance to a strict order. First piece is for St Basil, the second for the house, the next for the most senior member of the household down to the youngest member and also including absent members. There may also be a piece of cake for the cattle and a large piece for the poor. It is believed that whoever finds the coin in their piece of cake will be lucky for the next year.

Japan’s New Year is also called as shogatsu or oshogatsu. Most businesses shut down from January 1 to January 3, and families typically gather to spend the days together. On New Year's Day, everyone gets dressed in their new clothes and homes are decorated with pine branches and bamboo as they are considered symbols of long life.

 

A traditional Japanese ball game is part of new year celebrations at Japan's Shimogamo shrine in Kyoto.

Italy’s New Year’s Day marks with the start of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar. Although Romans began marking the start of their civil year on January 1 in their calendar (prior to the Gregorian calendar), the traditional springtime opening of the growing season and time for major military campaigns still held on as the popular New Year celebration.

New Year’s Day is called Capodanno. On either day, you will find people celebrating by eating lentils (symbolizing wealth) or pork specialties such as cotechino or zampone (stuffed pork sausage or stuffed pig’s trotter) symbolizing richness for the coming year.

Symbolic traditions in Italian history include throwing pots, pans, and clothes out of the window to let go of the past and move toward the future. In Italy, boys and girls receive gifts of money on New Year's Day. They continuously burn a Yule log or ceppo on the fire until past midnight. Born from an ancient tradition, the Yule log represents a burning of evil spirits.  

In Portugal New Year’s Day marks Street parties where people sing, dance, and cheer every moment of the passing Old Year. Many of such parties have Janeiras, or New Year's carolers, who sing traditional songs all through their procession going through the Portugal streets, and wish everyone who passes by with the best New Year wishes.

There is a tradition of eating twelve raisins by everyone. Each raisin is considered represent a month of the coming year, and while eating each raisin, one has to make a wish for that month. The Netherlands families start the New Year by first attending church services. Afterwards, they visit friends and relatives.

In Sydney, the start of the New Year is heralded by a huge fireworks display. It is estimated that one to one-and-a-half million people watch the display at the Sydney Harbour. In other towns and cities, smaller displays are organized by local authorities.

The German New Year lasts for a week. During this period, a fir tree will be placed in each household. Silk flowers are placed among the leaves, indicating a flowery spring. The German people will step on a chair before the arrival of the New Year on the New Year's Eve. They jump off the chair as soon as the bell rings and throw a clog behind the back of the chair, to drive away evil and misfortune and enter into the New Year. Children wear new clothes, put on new clothes, form a band, hold harmonicas and accordions, and play them in the street parade. Adults carry banners and follow the children, singing and shouting to celebrate the New Year. The German women perform family-themed comedy improvisations in the New Year. In rural areas in Germany, the "climbing competition" is regarded as a local custom of celebrating the New Year. The boys compete climbing the bare tree. The No.1 boy is recognized as the "New Year Hero", indicating that the coming year will see higher living standards.