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* ... In Ancient Egypt
The longest in the New Year holidays were walking the ancient Egyptians. New Year was celebrated during the inundation of the Nile, when ascended the sacred star Sirius (the exact date of that complex - spread somewhere between July and September), and started the first season of the ancient Egyptian year - ahet. Flood of the Nile called the arrival of Hapi - God of Upper and Lower Nile. It was a sacred time for Egypt, because the drought would endanger the very existence of this agricultural state. So with the rising of Sirius began a new period of life of the ancient Egyptians, who at that time were finishing sowing.
Preparing for the New Year began well before the spill. In households temples fattened sacrificial bulls and birds hoarded oil and resin. Even poor people trying to sew a new dress and aprons for a national holiday. Priests expected date of arrival of water, and on the eve of the scheduled date people who stood on the quay, looking forward to the spill. Rapidly welcomed people arriving shafts, who walked from the south, scoured the river and go north. Ahead were the priests of the temples. At the rapids poor huts and palaces of marble steps - everywhere people are joyously greeted the life-giving water. On the day of the Nile flood sacrificed Hapi, the river dropped from papyrus scrolls written on their list of gifts. The statues of the god Amon (which is sometimes identified Hapi), his wife and son were placed in the boat. The boat floated on the Nile month, accompanied by singing, dancing and fun. Then the statues contributed back to the temple.
When celebrating the New Year with the Egyptians it was customary to fill the special vessels "holy water" from the flooding of the Nile water which at that time was considered miraculous. Also exempt from the work, the Egyptians came to see at this time with friends and relatives with them remembered their ancestors and praised the gods.
Egyptian New Year was linked with another cult - the goddess of love and music Hathor, the daughter of the sun god Ra. Two nights before New Year's high priest and his associates conducted a ritual cleansing of the statue of the goddess in the temple of Hathor at Dendera. And the night before the New Year - "Night of Ra", when there was a battle of the sun god with the gods of darkness - holding a solemn procession in which a par with priests attended the pharaoh and his wife. Statue of Hathor carried on the sacred boat, and installed in the pavilion with 12 pillars symbolizing the year, on the roof of the temple. With the advent of the first ray of sun in the new year, the curtains opened, and the goddess poured sunlight - a mystical blessing god Ra daughter Hathor, the church and the world.
* ... in ancient Babylon
This New Year It comes with the first new moon (as soon as the first thin month) after the vernal equinox, which was considered the first day of spring. Indeed, the arrival of spring - a very logical time to start the new year. It is time for rebirth, planting seeds and flowering. During the feast the governor stripped and sent out of town, and within 11 days, everyone did whatever he pleased. And every day was celebrated as something in their own way. Then the king returned with a large procession, dressed in fine clothes. All returned to work and behave with decorum. So people each year began a new life. As you can see, New Year's tradition to make a decision to change something in their life in the coming year has its roots in ancient Babylon. Incidentally, at that time the most popular solution was to return borrowed farm equipment ...
* ... in Ancient Persia
Old Persian Nowruz holiday celebrated on the vernal equinox, from 21 to 22 March and signaled the beginning of spring and planting season. The word "Nowruz" is translated from Persian as "a" new day ". This is the first day of the month Farvardin of the Iranian calendar.
A few weeks before this date, seeds of wheat or barley were put in a dish, so that they sprouted. By New Year seeds germinate, which symbolized the coming of spring and the beginning of a new year of life.
 In the eve of all reconciled, and filled all the jars with corn and spring water or milk - in the hope of a generous harvest, Abundant rains and rich milk yield. On the morning of Nowruz needed to complete the cooking, cleaning, house decoration pomegranate and apple tree branches and rubbish. After that, wrapped in "dastarkhan - cloth with lots of national dishes, sweets and beverages. And arranged a festive feast.
* ... In Ancient Greece
The beginning of the year accounted for the longest day of the year - June 22. A chronology of his Greeks fought the famous Olympic igre
* ... In Ancient Rome
First calendar year in which begins on January 1, introduced the Roman emperor Julius Caesar. Romans on this day sacrificed two-faced god Janus, who was considered the patron saint of undertakings, and to this day timed important events, considering it a particularly favorable. The tradition to give Christmas gifts, too, came to us from ancient Rome. It is believed that the first gifts were branches of laurel, which heralded the happiness and luck in the coming year. "I wish you a positive and happy New Year" - Romans wrote on Christmas gifts, sometimes adding humorous poems.
How to celebrate New Year ...
* ... England
 Living in England and Wales say Christmas more important holiday than New Year's Eve (in contrast to the Scots). Celebration of Christmas, they note in the church, but the most pleasant part of the triumph of all, of course, believe Christmas dinner on December 25. On a necessarily meet the whole family. Utensils, napkins on the holiday table often have a Christmas symbols, and beside each dish must fit into the traditional Christmas cracker. When the firecrackers explode, they poured out of the confetti, toys, trinkets or small little notes with some jokes.
Father Christmas in England called Santa Claus. In the New Year's day for children in the theater played out on the submission of stories old English fairy tales. Lord of Chaos is a funny pageant, which is attended by fairy-tale characters: Hobby Horse, March Hare, Humpty Dumpty, Punch and others.
Before going to bed, children put on the table plate for gifts that they will bring Santa Claus to put hay in his shoes - a feast for his donkey. All New Year's Eve street vendors selling toys, whistles, pishchalki, masks, balloons. On arrival of the British New Year heralds the bell. Call it starts a little before midnight and makes a "whisper" - a blanket, which he wrapped and prevents him to show all his might. But in the twelve bells of "stripped", and they begin the solemn ringing. At the moment the lovers not to leave next year, advised to kiss under the mistletoe branch, which is considered a magical tree.
By New Year's table in the English homes served turkey with chestnuts and fried potatoes with sauce, and braised Brussels sprouts with meat pies, followed by pudding, sweets and fruits.
In fact, the custom arose in England to share New Year greeting cards. The first Christmas card was printed in London in 1843.
* ... Scotland
In Scotland (more precisely, in some of its villages) in the New Year sort of torchlight procession: they burn barrels of tar and wheeled them through the streets. Thus the Scots "burn" the old year and new illuminate the road. The morning of the new year is even more important than the actual New Year's Eve: from the one who first entered the house that day, depends on the welfare of the owners. It is believed that happiness brings the dark-haired man, who came with gifts.
* ... Ireland
Irish Christmas - this is more of a religious holiday than just entertainment. Lighted candle placed near a window in the evening before Christmas, to help Joseph and Mary, when they seek refuge. Irish women bake a special treat «seed cake» for each family member. They also make three puddings - one on Christmas, another New Year and the third - on the eve of Epiphany.
* ... France
French Santa Claus - Pere Noel - comes to New Year's Eve and leaves presents in children's shoes. Anyone who goes to Bob, baked in a New Year's cake, gets the title of "Bean King", and a festive night all obey his orders. Wooden or clay figurines - Santonian - placed near the tree. On New Year's night the French prefer not to kiss, and load up and get drunk. According to tradition, a good master-winemaker certainly must clink glasses with a barrel of wine to congratulate her on a holiday and have a drink for the next harvest.
 * ... Sweden
In Scandinavian mythology says that the supreme god Odin in his fleet-footed horse to make daily trips across the sky, once a year - December 25, the day of the winter solstice, he, together with the goddess Freya came on a magical horse to the ground, presenting gifts to the people, and people For its part, thanked God victims, who were hung on the evergreen firs. From this tradition originates drevnegermanskoy New Year celebrations in Europe and North America. In Sweden, before the New Year children choose the queen of the world Lucius. Her dress up in a white dress, a head wearing a crown with lighted candles. Lucy brings gifts to children and treats pet: cat - cream, dog - sugar bone donkey - carrots. In the festive night in the homes are not the lights go out, brightly lit streets.
* ... Finland
In Finland, the major winter snow holiday is Christmas, which falls on 25 December. On Christmas night, breaking a long journey from Lapland, in the house comes Santa Claus, leaving the children to the joy of a big basket of gifts.
New Year's - a sort of repetition of the Nativity. Once again, the whole family gathers at bursting with a variety of dishes table. In the New Year's Eve Finns try to learn their future and fortunes, melting wax and pouring it then into cold water. Lapland - the native land of Santa Claus. Here in the New Year is a colorful spectacle: from the slopes of the mountains descend skiers with torches, fireworks everywhere and decorated with candles tree. Close to 12 hours on a deer comes Santa Claus, all the wishes and distributes gifts.
* ... In Mexico
New Year meet fire fireworks, shooting from the rockets, special Christmas jingle bells. And children at midnight handed tasty gingerbread doll.
* ... Cuba
Cuba said the New Year, as well as all other holidays, a lot of fun. Before the Lunar New Year filled with Cubans all pitchers, buckets, pots and bowls of water and when the hour hand freezes in figure 12, the water poured from the windows. This means that the old year passes and he wished light, like water, road. Meanwhile, the clock strikes 12 times, you must eat 12 vinogradinok, and then good, harmony, prosperity and peace will accompany you all the twelve months. In the light of torches and the thunder of fireworks all Cuba is participating in carnivals, dances, sings. Children's New Year's holiday in Cuba called the Day of the Kings. Kings, sorcerers, bringing gifts to children, called Valtasar, Gaspar and Melchior. Before the children write letters to them in which to talk about their deepest desires.
 * ... Colombia
Main character of the New Year carnival in Colombia - The old year. He walks into the crowd at high stilts and tells funny stories for children. Papa Pasquale - Colombian Santa Claus. No one better than he can not hold fireworks.
* ... In China
During the festive procession, which passes through the streets of Chinese New Year's night, people lit many lamps. This is done in order to illuminate their way into the New Year.
Chinese New Year is impossible to imagine without the fireworks, scare away evil spirits. New Year's Day in Chinese is called yuan-tan (literally "New Year's morning"), from 11 pm on New Year's Eve and before dawn the next day. The night before the New Year's doors were shut, because at this time on the street appeared all kinds of evil spirits. For their expulsion lit fireworks, beat the gongs and blowing up firecrackers. To protect themselves from the influence of evil spirits, we had to stay awake all night.
Unlike the Europeans, the New Year with a tree, the Chinese prefer tangerines and oranges. In every house exhibited trays with these fruits. 8 mandarin (8 in ancient Chinese philosophy is considered sacred) should be laid round or octagon, symbolizing infinity or that good. In our days became fashionable to decorate artificial trees home, decorated with candied fruits. They also attached special meaning. Candied melon - a sign of health, watermelon seeds - happiness and confidence, lotus flowers - large families, and coconuts - cohesion.
* ... Nepal
In Nepal, the New Year with the sunrise. At night, when the full moon, the Nepalese are lit huge bonfires and throw into the fire truck. The next day begins a festival of colors, and then the whole country turns into a huge rainbow. People paint the their faces, arms, chest unusual pattern, and then dance and sing in the streets.
* ... The Philippines
A favorite game of local residents - cock-fights. Roosters beat fast, recklessly and always fatal. New Year celebrated on a grand scale and with a lot of fireworks. January 9, the day of ink process of Nazareth, a statue of Jesus as a man of dark wood sneaked through the streets Kviapo.
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Christmas Stuff 