New Year Celebrations Around the World

Instructor: Millicent Kelly

Millicent has been teaching at the university level since 2004. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's degree in Human Resources.

New Year celebrations are a time of reflection on the past, and anticipation of the future. However, not all nations celebrate the New Year at the same time or in the same way. In this lesson, we will take a look at how the New Year is celebrated around the world.

The History of Auld Lang Syne

The song Auld Lang Syne is a song associated with New Year's celebrations in many cultures and nations, but not many people actually know what it means. Scottish in origin, it's been around since the 1700's, when it was composed by Scottish poet Robert Burns. Ironically, it was not composed to be a song associated with New Year's celebrations. Rather, the lyrics of the song are about not forgetting friends and making sure you remember them in the future. The title Auld Lang Syne translates into 'times gone by.' It did not become associated with New Year until it was accidentally performed by Guy Lombardo right after the clock struck midnight on a New Year's Eve in the late 1920's.

New Year Celebrations

Celebrating the New Year

Typically traditional New Year celebrations involve people saying goodbye to the events of the year past, and welcoming a new year that holds much promise. Think about how you and your family ring in the New Year. Do you have a party or have a nice meal? Cultural ways and traditions play a big part in how and when the New Year is celebrated. Traditions, or customs that are passed down from generation to generation, range from writing New Years letters to cracking open the bubbly, to watching elaborate displays of fireworks. Let's take a look at how New Year is celebrated in different cultures around the world.

New Year in the United States

Times Square

When we think about how we celebrate New Year's Day in the United States, one of the first things that may come to mind is the world-famous ball-drop in New York's Times Square. Thousands gather every year to count down the final minutes of the old year, and welcome in the New Year in style. The event is televised live and followed by firework celebrations nationwide. Like many other nations, a New Year's kiss and a glass of champagne are typically in order.

New Year Around the World

Although many nations celebrate the arrival of a New Year in similar fashions, others have unique traditions. Let's take a look at some of those:

Belgium - located in the heart of Europe, Belgium celebrates New Year's Eve on December 31st as a tribute to Saint Sylvester, a Roman priest. Children write letters of promise to their parents detailing what they will do better in the coming year, while parents celebrate the moment in the company of family and friends while sipping champagne.

A Champagne Toast

Rosh Hashanah - this holiday is better known as the Jewish New Year, and it is based on the lunar rather than the Gregorian or Christian calendar. Typically celebrated in the month of September, Rosh Hashanah involves prayer and atonement. It's traditional during this time for Jews to dip apples in honey as it is believed that consuming sweet foods will bring a sweet year. In addition, the shofar (ram's horn) is blown as a sign of repentance and people cast off their sins by throwing bread into a body of water like a river.

Apples and Honey for Rosh Hashanah

Chinese New Year - this is a very important holiday for the Chinese people. It is determined according to the Chinese calendar and is celebrated on a different day each year. Family reunions and elaborate celebrations take place for an approximate two week period. Fireworks are used because folklore has it they will wake up a hibernating dragon.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Brazil - located in South America, Brazil celebrates New Year's Eve on December 31st just like the United States. However, they have a peculiar tradition that involves eating lentils. Brazilians believe that by eating lentils and rice on New Year's day will bring one much luck and prosperity in the year to come. It is also considered good luck to wear white clothing.

Eating Lentils for Good Luck

Spain - Spain is located in Southern Europe and has its own tradition associated with ringing in the New Year. When the clock strikes twelve, Spaniards eat one grape for each strike, believing this will bring them good luck in the coming year. According to Spanish folklore, those who want to find love in the New Year should wear red undergarments on New Year's Eve.

Lucky Grapes

Lesson Summary

Regardless of when and where, New Year celebrations are a time to rejoice, look back, and glance forward. There are many unique traditions associated with celebrating the New Year around the world. In the United States, for example, Auld Lang Syne is a song associated with ringing in the New Year, and millions of people watch the traditional ball drop in Times Square. However, not all nations and people celebrate the same way:

in Belgium, Saint Sylvester is honored, and children write promise letters to their parents.
Rosh Hashanah is typically celebrated in September by those of the Jewish faith and apples and honey are traditionally consumed.
the Chinese New Year involves two weeks of celebrations that are on a different date each year.
in Brazil lentils are consumed on New Year's day as they are believed to bring wealth.
in Spain residents eat one grape for each strike of the midnight hour to bring good fortune.

Although these are just a few of the ways in which the New Year is celebrated around the world, they are an expression of the diverse practices that exist and are appreciated on a global scale.

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New Year Celebrations Around the World

The History of Auld Lang Syne