It's been two days, 2 hours 10 minutes since we welcomed a new year in the Philippines. A new start for something which we consider new year's resolution in this new normal. But why do we actually celebrate new year?
New year is one holiday which was universally celebrated. It had became a tradition almost in each country with different time zone to welcome new year when the clock strike 12 at midnight. Often with beautiful firework displays that would light up the night.
In our country as I have observed some indivuduals make noise thru bongbong kawayan, ringing bells, striking metal materials, some even use their guns, some also bring out their piggy bank and shake it to make sounds. These are all associated with different beliefs as to why it is done.
Because I am an Igorot who grew up in a quite neighborhood, I don't know some beliefs of others pertaining to welcoming a new year, I also observed when I was growing up that featured on television were having 12 different round shaped fruits on the table, wearing polka dots. These represents money and abundance. I also never knew about elders making children jump at midnight in believing it would make them grow tall.
New year, aside from Christmas is a perfect time for families to bond together to strengthen ties. A time for gatherings and celebration. A blend of culture, superstitions and religion that new year is much observed by everyone.
However, did you know that during the Roman Era new year was celebrated on March 1? Yes, it was and there were only 10 months in a year until Julius Caesar made the Julian calendar in 46 BC that made January 1 the new year. But, even him couldn't standardize the day that new year kept drifting back and forth sometimes landing on Christmas day.
In 1582, Pope Gregory Xlll created the Gregorian calendar to standardize it and stop the season from moving from one month or day to the other.
January and February were supposedly to be the last two months of the year in accordance with September through December as Septem means in Latin seven, Octo means 8, novem means 9 and decem means 10. Nevertheless, it was rearranged and made into the first two months.
Due to some reasons, January 1 was not yet acknowledged as the new year. Different religions have their own new year with some having July as new year.
With December 25th as the observed and celebrated birthday of Jesus, Pope Gregory implemented January 1 to be the new year in accordance with the 8th day of Jesus after birth, the day when He was circumcised.
Though the Gregorian calendar was adopted late on 1752 especially on protestant nations, January 1 was celebrated as new year up until this day.
365 days is a long time and many things can happen within those pages of days. It's a ride where everyone has his own car to drive, obstacles are on our way that would determine one to either continue the journey against all odds or stop and be discouraged to go on. With the pandemic around, we need to be more alert and cautious to survive. It needs our utmost survival instinct, which means we have to be more practical (in a legal way of life and not cheat others just to pass the day) and be our brothers keep.
We should strive harder with a constant reminder of our listed new year's resolutions to stay on track. Stick to it for the whole duration of year 2021 and not abandon it and procrastinate.
Well, whatever beliefs we have in celebrating and welcoming the new year should be partnered with action because good things come to those who persevere.
z_graeden
So this was where the new year came from. That's really interesting to know. So all the konths were just rearranged. Must've been a struggle to adapt