So, I'm guessing your New Year was great! I know mine was, and I also know that people from around the world are on Whyville. We all celebrate New Year's in different ways! I'm going to tell you a little about how New Year's is celebrated in different countries
China
Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year is celebrated for about fifteen days. The Lunar New Year is determined by the Chinese New Year Calendar. So, in 2010 New Year in China will start up on February 14th. On Chinese New Year's Eve they have a feast with their family members. The Chinese New Year's animal of 2010 is the tiger! In 2008 the animal was the rat and 2009 was the year of the ox. These animals have different traits. So, people who are born in the year of the ox will have different traits than the person who is born in the year of the rat. Years that end in odd numbers are called Yin and the years that end with even numbers are called Yang. On the Chinese New Year they hang up lanterns to light the way for the New Year. They believe that evil spirits roam around the streets at night so they use firecrackers to scare them away.
Greece
New Year's in Greece is also called Protohronia. On Protohronia, St. Basil delivers gifts not on Christmas, but on New Year's. St. Basil is also called Agios Vasilis. He is the Greek Santa Claus. At night, friends all gather at one house and ring in the New Year together. At their house they usually play cards before the year changes. It is a custom for kali Hera (money) to be given to children who have visited on New Year's Day. The Scilla Maritima (Squill) is a common plant in Crete, which grows wild and looks like a large onion. Whenever it is pulled from the soil it continues to bloom and produce new leaves. It is an ancient good luck custom which has been around since the 6th century B.C.
Italy
La Festa di San Silvestro! La Festa di San Silvestro! You're probably thinking "What?" But, this is what New Years is called in Italy! It is celebrated the same time as we celebrate the New Year in The United States! They celebrate it on December 31st. Well, that is New Year's Eve for both of them. Now, back to Italy . . . the family usually gets together for a huge feast! Midnight fireworks celebrate the New Year. If you live close to the river, coast, or lake you will hear many boats blowing their horns. They have bands playing before the firecrackers and dancers dancing. The New Year's parties will often last until sunrise to watch the first sunrise of the New Year. The Italian say to wear your red underwear to bring you good luck for the New Year!
The United States of America
In the United States some people go to parties with friends to wait for the New Year. But, some people in New York City watched a big ball drop at 12:00 a.m. Some people watch it on T.V. and some people have a dance party to celebrate! There are many ways to celebrate in the United States. I know that on New Year's Eve I went over to my friend's house with my family, had a nice party then at 12:00 a.m., we all watched the big ball drop in NYC on T.V. and had a wonderful time. When the clock struck midnight, my friend and I raced around the house and partied!
Well, you actually learned something! I know I did. Now, if you go live in these places you know what you will be expecting at the New Year. I will be happy to hear how your New Year's went. So, just mail me and I will be excited to read!
-Hailey311
Author's Note: I got my information from: http://www.123chinesenwyear.com/
http://www.explorecrete.com/traditions/christmas-newyear.htm
http://goitaly.about.com/od/festivalsandevents/a/newyears.htm
Remember to just mail me about your New Year! I would love to hear.
