New Year. Such an old holiday. They began to meet and celebrate him a long time ago, and the roots of his origin go back to the distant, distant past. What kind of holiday is this so worldwide? I think it is interesting to know the story of everyone's beloved New Year. Let's try to get to the bottom of its roots.
According to the learned people, this holiday was first celebrated in Mesopotamia. It began a long time ago, back in the 3rd millennium BC. And it was like this: every year at the end of March, the water in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers began to arrive, after which it was time for agricultural work. Among the Mesopotamian people, this time was considered the victory of the god Markuda over destruction and death. People celebrated this event for twelve days! And not a single day passed without solemn processions and carnivals. No one was allowed to work under any circumstances. Even the courts on the days of the celebrations were strictly prohibited. In other words, it was a time of complete freedom, the whole world was turned upside down.
Different Christian peoples celebrated the New Year at different periods, namely: March 25, March 1, September 23, September 1 and December 25. In Rome, the New Year was directly associated with the beginning of field work. Then, in 46 AD, the well-known Julius Caesar moved the celebrations to January 1. In Rome, this day was considered auspicious. The people sacrificed to the god Janus. But in France, until 755, the New Year was celebrated on December 25, and after March 1. Then in the 12th century it was moved to Easter. And only in the middle of the 16th century, namely: in 1564, its celebration was postponed to January 1 by order of Charles 9. In Germany, this event also happened in the 16th century, but England lagged behind for another 2 centuries in this matter. They began to celebrate the New Year there on January 1 only in the 18th century.
But in Russia, the celebration of the New Year took place most often in March, sometimes on Easter. Then, in 1492, by decree of Tsar John III, it was postponed to September 1. In Russia, as always, everything is a little different. September 1, that is, New Year, was the day of collecting all kinds of taxes and tributes. And in order to somehow make this day solemn, the tsar appeared in the Kremlin and allowed any commoner to approach him and seek the truth from him. The last time such a New Year was celebrated was in 1698. On this day, the king awarded each person with an apple, while congratulating him and calling him brother. And now Peter was in power. As you know, he loved to bring all the innovations from Europe. So the New Year is no exception. He appointed it for January 1st. He ordered everyone to decorate Christmas trees, to congratulate relatives and friends. Well, at 12 o'clock in the morning he went to Red Square with a torch and launched the very first rocket into the sky. After that, all the festivities began. People were singing, having fun and dancing. It was from this day that the celebration of the New Year and folk festivals in Russia was fixed to this day on January 1.
And here are some more interesting facts: in India there are as many as 8 dates that people celebrate as the New Year! In Burma, it comes in the sultry heat of their time, that is, April 1! But in Indonesia, the New Year falls in autumn according to our time, or to be more precise, on October 1. Micronesians celebrate this holiday, like Europeans, but the most interesting thing is that on one of the islands, every January 1, people wake up with new names! And all this is necessary in order for the evil spirits to be confused. When they wake up, they cover their mouths with their palm and say their new name, while one of the family members knocks on a tambourine so that evil spirits cannot overhear them.
Here is the story of the origin of this wonderful holiday! Be happy in the New Year! Good luck!
