We are going to the WorldBeat Cultural Center for New Years Eve this Year. We wanted to do something fun and relaxing, a great way to end and start the New Year. If you wish to join us you can Register at www.worldbeatcenter.org its free admission the registration is so that they have an idea of how many people are going. There will be food, dancers, drum circles, and yoga sessions. So if you want a fun and Relaxing evening come join us at the WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park.
About New Years
Today we use Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome. With most countries using the Gregorian calendar as their main calendar, New Year's Day is the closest thing to being the world's only truly global public holiday, often celebrated with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the New Year starts.
History
The Romans dedicated this day to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings. After Julius Caesar updated the calendar in 46 BC and was then tragically murdered, the Roman Senate voted to deify him on January 1st 42 BC, in honor of his life and his new updated calendar. The month of Januray owes its name to the Janus, who had two faces, one looking forward and the other looking back. This suggests that New Year's celebrations are founded on pagan traditions.
Among the 7th century pagans of Flanders and the Netherlands, it was the custom to exchange gifts at the New Year. Most countries in Western Europe officially adopted January 1 as New Year's Day somewhat before they adopted the Gregorian calendar. In England, the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25, was the first day of the new year until the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar in 1752. The March 25 date was known as Annunciation Style; the January 1 date was known as Circumcision Style, because this was the date of the Feast of the Circumcision, being the eighth day counting from December 25 when Christ was believed to be born. This day was christened as the beginning of the New Year by Pope Gregory as he designed the Liturgical Calendar.
Chinese New Year is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is the first day of the lunar calendar and is corrected for the solar every three years. The holiday normally falls between January 20th and February 20th. The holiday is celebrated with plenty of good food, families, lucky red envelopes (filled with money), and many other red things to resembles good luck. Lion and dragon dances, drums, fireworks, firecrackers, and other types of entertainment fill the streets on this day. It is the favorite holiday for many adults and children who celebrate it.
Hindu New Year falls at the time and date the Sun enters Aries on the Hindu calendar; normally on April 13th or April 14th depending on the Leap year. The New Year is celebrated by the young and old. Children of all ages pay their respects by seeking their parents and other elder’s blessings. They also exchange tokens of good wishes for a healthy and prosperous year ahead.
Islamic New Year moves from year to year because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar.
Israel is one country that uses the Gregorian calendar but does not formally celebrate the New Year's holiday — mainly due to objections by religious parties on the holiday's non-Jewish origins. However, there are Israeli Jews who partake in some sort of celebration. The date of the Jewish new year is celebrated on Rosh Hashanah no matter where the location.
Japanese New Year in Japan is celebrated on January 1 because the Gregorian calendar is now used instead of the Chinese calendar.
Korean New Year called Seolnal is the first day of the lunar calendar. Koreans also celebrate solar New Year's Day on January 1 each year, following the Gregorian calendar. People get a day off that day while have minimum three days off on Lunar New Year. People celebrate New Year's Day by preparing food for the ancestors' spirits, visiting ancestors' graves, then playing Korean games such as Yutnol'i with families. Young children give respect to their parents, grandparents, relatives, and other elders by bowing down in a traditional way and are given good wishes and some money by the elders. Families enjoy the New Year also by counting down until 12:00 a.m., which would be New Year's Day.
Ethiopian New Year called Enqutatash. It is celebrated on September 11 or September 12 based on the leap year. Ethiopian use their own ancient calendar. However some say it has connection with Julian calendar.
