When is the foreign New Year?

The new year means to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new. Many countries have had the custom of Chinese New Year, which is similar to that of China. At present, most countries in the world use the Gregorian calendar, but because of the different calendars of religious beliefs, the date of the New Year is also different. For example, according to the Jewish calendar, New Year's Day falls between September and June in the Gregorian calendar, while according to the Islamic calendar, the era takes July 16 in 622 AD as the first year's New Year's Day, with only 354 days in a year, and the date of New Year's Day changes every year.

Europe and America basically belong to the Christian cultural circle, celebrating the Gregorian New Year. Scots regard the New Year as a secular festival, which is more exciting than Christmas. The most lively moment of American New Year is New Year's Eve. People go to church to pray and sing poems. Some people hold a family reception, others watch a performance. Many people use New Year's Day to express their "New Year's resolutions", such as quitting smoking and drinking, being honest with others and so on, to resolve conflicts with others. Masquerade balls held in Britain and the United States are also said to have originated from the ancient desire to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. The climax of Portuguese New Year activities is bullfighting, and many people spend the New Year in the bullring. Latin American countries are deeply influenced by Latin culture, and carnival is popular on New Year's Day. Among them, the cross-dressing parade and samba competition in Brazil are a major selling point of tourism.

Among Asian countries, New Year is the biggest festival in Japan. Many years ago, many people decorated their doors with bamboo leaves, pine branches, straw ropes and white paper strings, with pine bamboo representing evergreen and white paper strings representing purification and evil spirits. Before New Year's Day, everyone rushed to send New Year's cards, and all walks of life held "Forget the Year Meeting" to communicate information and feelings. In recent decades, the Japan Broadcasting Association has held red and white songs, which is very attractive. As soon as the concert was over, temple bells rang, symbolizing 108 the exorcism of demons and troubles (from Buddhism).

In neighboring Vietnam, Korea and Mongolia, besides the Gregorian New Year, the Spring Festival is also a traditional folk festival, and many customs and habits are similar to our country. For example, there are activities such as sweeping dust, vigil, New Year greetings and outing in Vietnam. And eating zongzi on New Year's Eve. Zongzi is round, symbolizing a round place, which is more festive than festive. It is worth mentioning that vertical banners are popular in rural areas during the Spring Festival. People trim the top bamboo leaves with bamboo poles and hang red banners and wind chimes on them. It is said that the sound made when the wind blows will scare away ghosts. In some places, bows and arrows are hung on poles, and the arrows point to the east, symbolizing exorcism. Over time, the flagpole is called the Spring Festival pole.

Immigrant culture has added new content to the New Year culture of immigrant countries. Every year during the Spring Festival, Chinese Americans hold celebrations in their communities. In addition to collective worship, they also perform lion and dragon dances, which are deeply loved by local people. Fujian immigrants in Hawaii also hold Narcissus Festival to elect Narcissus Queen. The traditional Lantern Festival in China is very popular abroad. Last year, Datong Kang's Lantern Festival was a sensation in Israel. At the invitation of Malaysia, they will be exhibited during the Spring Festival this year. Recently, Indonesian President Wahid announced the revocation of the regulations prohibiting Chinese from celebrating festivals in public, which is conducive to the promotion and sharing of Chinese culture.

Festival culture is a unique form of human activities to create a community, reflecting people's psychology of looking forward to peace and pursuing happiness. Nowadays, the media provides a quick channel for people to share festival culture, and the spread and exchange of culture are more and more frequent. Tourism provides more and more opportunities for people to visit foreign holiday cultures.