New Year in the World

The New Year is a special and very important time, because it is when we can give thanks for all the growth we have experienced, end cycles and welcome new opportunities. We have the habit of making resolutions and undertaking new projects.

In most of the West, the New Year is celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar, which consists of 365 days. New Year's Day is celebrated every December 31, the day on which this calendar ends. Most of the world follows this measurement because it was imposed by the Catholic Church in order to have order, and was instituted in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII.

Most western countries celebrate this date, having huge amounts of people following the tradition. In Mexico, 90% of the country celebrates the arrival of the New Year on this date, as well as in many other countries.

But we know that there are many other cultures that celebrate this important step into a new cycle in different ways and even with other dates, which we present to you.

Chinese New Year

One of the most important celebrations in the world is the Chinese New Year. This holiday is dated according to the lunar calendar and occurs on the second new moon after the winter solstice, so it can occur between January 21 and February 20, in terms of the Gregorian calendar.

This holiday lasts 15 days, beginning with the Spring Festival and ending with the Lantern Festival. The Chinese lunar calendar is the longest, as it has the oldest record, dating back to 2637 BC. The first cycle of the Chinese zodiac took place on this date.

Each New Year is governed by one of the 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac, this 2021, which enters on February 12, will be the metal buffalo.

Jewish New Year

Known as Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year), it is celebrated in September, according to the lunar cycles and marks the beginning of the first month of the modern Hebrew calendar. The celebration is known as the Feast of Trumpets.

Following tradition, this celebration alludes to the Creation of the first human being on Earth. In September of this year 2020, Rosh Hashanah marked the beginning of the year 5781. During the celebration, the shofar is played inviting all people to be better; it is also a way to eliminate negative energy.

On this day, each person submits to judgment by doing an exercise of introspection. For 2021, Rosh Hashanah will begin on the afternoon of September 18 and will last until the 20th.

Celtic New Year

For the Celtic culture, October 31st commemorates the end of the 8 solar festivals or Sabbats, it is a representation of the vital energy of the Earth. This festivity reaffirms the continuity of life and tells us that death is not the end of existence.

On this date, all the witches full of wisdom end their cycle and start a new one, the whole month of October they prepare for the welcome of their next year with the end of harvest or Samhain;

Hindu New Year

Also known as Diwali, this celebration takes place every November between the 5th and 12th and lasts 5 days. It is known as the Flower Festival. Almost a billion people celebrate it, as other cultures share the festival.

This celebration begins on the 13th lunar day of Krishna, representing the triumph of light over darkness: they celebrate the Buddha's enlightenment by lighting thousands of candles.

By 2021, Diwali will be celebrated on November 4.

Muslim New Year

It is called Ra's as-Sana and the date changes 12 days annually because it is coupled to the lunar calendar, which is 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.

Since it is governed by the lunar calendar, its cycle began in the Hegira: the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, which took place around July 16, 622.

On August 20, 2020 they entered their 1442nd year and on August 9, 2021, they will receive their 1443rd. More than 15 million people celebrate this holiday.

Mayan New Year

The Mayan calendar is the most accurate calendar of all, their astral calculations were exact and their New Year is celebrated, in terms of the Gregorian calendar, every July 26.

The Haab Mayan calendar is governed by the movements of the Sun and Moon, but also takes into account the trajectory of planets such as Venus and the constellations of the Pleiades.

The precision of this calendar is given by the Day Out of Time, which is July 25, this day allows the accommodation of the cycles, and should be celebrated without doing important activities, just thanking and contemplating life.

Regions of Mexico such as Yucatan and much of Guatemala celebrate the New Year in this way, honoring their roots.

Tibetan New Year

Also called Losar, it occurs between February and March, like the previous cultures, its date change is due to the fact that they are integrated in a lunisolar calendar, which begins with the new moon.

The Losar lasts three days called "Losar Lama", "Losar King" and "Losar Protector", in which Tibetan monks give thanks to their masters and visit their monasteries.

For Tibetans, the New Year occurs every 12 or 13 moons; for 2021, it will take place from February 12 to 14; it is celebrated in places in India, Bhutan and Nepal.

Inca New Year

It is called Inti Raymi and happens around June 24 on the summer solstice. It is also known as the Feast of the Sun, because the god Apu Inti, who represents the Astro King, is venerated.

As you have been able to see, the New Year is a celebration to culminate cycles and welcome others. Time is something intangible that does not exist in the material world, and therefore, each culture measures its time and registers it according to its way of life.

Whatever the region or lifestyle with which you will celebrate the New Year, make a reflection, make an introspection on your actions, be grateful for the blessings that came, the obstacles overcome and the tests that were given to you, because they are all for your growth and evolution.

Open your mind and heart for new projects, embrace with love the new cycle and always take advantage of it to grow in mind, body and soul. Celebrate in a healthy way the new consciousness that will come with this new year.

WAOPlanet wishes you a happy New Year full of light and blessings.