The new year does not always begin on December 31

Ahh, the beginning of a new year, the feeling of so much untapped potential and optimism for all the good yet to come. Many nations and cultures consider the end of a year and the beginning of a new one related to their religion or culture. It is important to remember that the Gregorian calendar, although most people worldwide use it to keep track of time, is by no means the only time-keeping system in existence.

Jewish New Year

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, celebrated as the universe's birthday. Observant Jews attend synagogue services, abstain from work, and perform Tashlich to cast away sins from the past year. 2023's holiday will begin at sundown on September 15 and end at nightfall on September 17. Jewish New Year is based on the lunar calendar. Thus, each Jewish month begins with a new moon and ends with a full moon.

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Chinese New Year

The Chinese calendar is an example of a solilunar calendar with 12-year cycles, each tied to a distinct animal. There are 12 months each year, and an intercalary month is added every two to three years. It is an ancient calendar, and the Chinese New Year for 2023 will begin on Sunday, January 22, 2023. This will be the year of the rabbit, and the total number of years from the calendar's inception will be 4721.

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Seollal (Korean New Year)

The first day of the Korean Lunar Calendar is Seollal. 2023's new year will be observed from January 21 to 23. It is a family day where Koreans participate in ancestral traditions, wear the hanbok, eat delectable food, and play traditional games. 

Nowruz (Iranian / Persian New Year)

Nowruz celebrates the beginning of spring on the equinox, March 21. Spring is when life returns after a long, harsh winter; therefore, this festival is packed with rebirth and regeneration symbols. Nowruz preparations begin three days before the spring equinox. Everybody spring-cleans, removing clutter and filth. 

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Raʼs as-Sanah (Islamic / Hijri New Year)

Muslims celebrate the New Year on the first day of Muharram, the first Islamic month. The Islamic New Year, called Hijri, begins the Muslim lunar calendar. 

It recalls the Hijra, Mohammed's journey from Mecca to Medina. According to the Muslim Calendar, a new day begins when the sun sets, and a new year begins when the moon rises; this distinguishes this New Year's Day.

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Sri Lankan New Year

New Year's is one of the most important holidays in Sri Lanka, and it is celebrated with various traditions and ceremonies. The goal of the New Year Festival is to bring happiness and prosperity across the country. Hindus call it Puthandu, while Buddhists call it Aluth Avurudu. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year's are decided by astrology; however, regardless of the day chosen, the celebrations usually occur between April 12 and April 15.

The vast majority of people in the world adhere to the Gregorian calendar, but there are many different cultures, nations, and faiths which means that holidays and new year's celebrations are not always the same worldwide. I hope this article has helped you better understand other cultures and broadened your viewpoint so that you can open your mind and learn more. To make someone feel more included, acknowledged, and accepted like other festivities and holidays, you may now wish someone a happy new year referencing their holiday and the date they celebrated it. For example, "happy Chinese new year" when someone you know celebrates it.

Sources:

• https://247wallst.com/special-report/2019/02/01/26-completely-different-new-years-days-around-the-world-3/
•  https://flexiclasses.com/korean/seollal/
•  https://rove.me/to/sri-lanka/sinhala-and-tamil-new-year
• https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/6/islamic-new-year-what-you-need-to-know
•  https://www.ceylonexpeditions.com/sinhala-tamil-new-sri-lanka
•  https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4762/jewish/What-Is-Rosh-Hashanah.htm
• https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/11-cultures-that-dont-celebrate-new-years-day-on-jan-1/nsmaojbot