50 most interesting facts about the Chinese New Year that you need to know in 2022
For most, New Year's Day is a global holiday that takes place on January 1st with a slight time shift depending on time zones. The first day of the calendar year plays an important role in different cultures and marks a kind of reset or a moment when everything can be started over. And what about those countries where the New Year is not celebrated on January 1 at all? For many countries in Asia, as well as for the Asian diaspora, present in almost all countries of the world, the New Year takes place from late January to mid-February. The Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the most important event in the Chinese calendar.
If January 1 can simply be remembered as a given, then the date of the Chinese New Year is much more difficult to predict. The day is calculated according to the lunar calendar, an ancient Chinese invention - it all depends on the phase of the moon. Despite the fact that most Chinese use the Gregorian calendar in everyday life, the traditional lunar calendar remains an important part of their lives. Since the date depends on the moon, the holiday is celebrated at different times from the end of January to the middle or end of February. February 12th in 2021 and 1st February in 2022. Don't forget to congratulate your Chinese friends!
In Chinese culture, each year corresponds to one of the 12 zodiac animals, as well as a color according to the Wu Xing (Five Elements) system. You can view your Chinese zodiac sign by year of birth! Those born in 2022 are associated with the sign of the tiger, the color of the year is blue, and the element is water. The Chinese believe that if the sign of the upcoming year coincides with the personal sign of the zodiac, then this year may not be very successful. But do not worry, there is a fairly simple way to avoid these failures. It is believed that red is a lucky color that scares away all the bad luck that your zodiac sign can bring. Wear red clothes and you'll be fine!
Bemorepanda collected some really interesting facts about Chinese New Year 2022!
1. Chinese New Year comes at different times: the date of the holiday varies between January 21 and February 20 and depends on the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, Chinese New Year is on 1st February.
2. Each Chinese New Year begins with a new "animal" zodiac sign.
3. The Chinese zodiac signs are a very ancient tradition, which involves naming each new year as the year of one of the twelve animals.
4. Chinese New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries: China, Hong Kong, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and, of course, Singapore.
5. On Chinese New Year, it is customary to give Eng Bao - red envelopes with money. Billions of envelopes will be donated during the holiday. In many companies, this is how bosses present their annual bonus to subordinates.
6. 200 million Chinese travel long distances on New Year's holidays. In China, approximately 3.5 billion trips were recorded during this period! By comparison, less than 100 million US residents travel more than 50 miles during the Christmas holidays.
7. Most of the fireworks take place in China: according to statistics, this is 90% of all fireworks in the world! The ancient Chinese believed that the light and explosion from fireworks frightened demons and evil spirits.
8. During the Chinese New Year, many Chinese people who are not in a relationship are afraid of a big family holiday where every relative wants to know "why you haven't got married yet." For this reason, there are many websites and agencies in China through which you can "rent" yourself a girlfriend or boyfriend - just to avoid annoying questions from relatives.
9. Although the new year comes in winter, the Chinese call it the "Spring Festival" (春节 chūnjié /chwn-jyeah/) because the "beginning of spring" (February 4-18) is the first period in the traditional solar calendar. While winter weather prevails, the "beginning of spring" marks the end of the coldest part of winter, when the Chinese have traditionally looked forward to the beginning of spring.
10. The Chinese zodiac years are a very old custom. Years are called one of the 12 animals in the zodiac cycle. For example, 2022 is the Year of the Tiger. Many Chinese still believe in astrology and other New Year superstitions.
11. The Chinese have a proverb, "the whole year is planned in the spring" 一年之计在于春 yinyan zhiji caiyuchun. This reflects the attitude of Chinese tradition towards the New Year period. It is still very cold, but the holiday marks the end of the coldest days.
12. People welcome spring and what it brings with it: crops and harvests, new beginnings, the hope of a better life, a better job, that everything will be fine during the year.
13. Also, the Chinese New Year is often informally referred to as the "lunar new year" because its date is determined based on the phases of the moon. And since the Chinese New Year is calculated using the lunar calendar, its celebration falls each time on different dates from January 21 to February 21.
14. And although China has officially switched to the Gregorian calendar, like the rest of the world, the lunar calendar is still very important. Many traditional holidays are calculated to be celebrated according to the lunar calendar.
15. The Spring Festival lasts exactly 15 days. During this time, working life in the Middle Kingdom freezes, the people of China have fun, relax and celebrate the holiday with their families.
16. Chinese New Year is one of the most important and revered holidays. The most important component of this holiday is family reunion. Everyone has to go home for New Year's Eve dinner.
17. In today's China, most elderly parents live in rural areas while their children work in cities. Moving around the country back home and on vacation is called chunyun 春运, or spring migration.
18. Even on ordinary days, the subway is packed. Imagine what happens during the Chunyun period. Also, the earliest you can buy train tickets is 60 days. This leads to crazy excitement, there are real battles for tickets. Thousands of tickets are sold per second.
19. The Spring Festival was originally a ceremonial day. On this day, they prayed to the gods, asked for good weather, a plentiful harvest, etc. Also, people prayed to their ancestors and addressed them as gods.
20. Following the customs of their ancestors, the Chinese do not sleep on New Year's Eve and set off fireworks and explode firecrackers at midnight, scaring away monsters and bad luck. In the morning they blow up the firecrackers again to welcome the New Year and the good luck that comes with it.
21. On the same night, families also burned counterfeit paper money in honor of their deceased loved ones. They believe that the offerings will bring good luck and fortune to their ancestors in the afterlife.
22. Due to safety concerns and air pollution concerns, many Chinese cities have banned fireworks, and more than 500 cities also have restrictions on their use.
23. But many look at it through their fingers and still fire salutes. In Beijing, the ban was lifted in 2006 due to an angry public.
24. If you are in China during this time, you will watch fireworks and hear firecrackers go off for at least three nights, if not for several weeks.
25. In the New Year, you can not take a shower, so as not to wash away good luck. Sweeping the floor and throwing garbage is also not allowed.
26. However, before the Spring Festival there is a day during which you can put your house and yourself in order. On this day, everyone should get rid of bad luck and make room for good luck.
27. What else is taboo during Chinese New Year?
Cut hair;
Use scissors, knives and other sharp objects;
Argue, quarrel;
Saying negative words (such as "death" and "sickness");
Break and ruin things.
28. During the Spring Festival, gifts are exchanged. But Chinese children also receive something else: red envelopes.
29. The so-called red hongbao (红包, hóngbāo) envelopes are a very popular way to give a gift in China. Paper money is placed in an envelope and presented with wishes of well-being and good luck.
30. Red envelopes can also be given to relatives, friends, employees and colleagues.
31. With the New Year holidays approaching, many single people in China are starting to feel uncomfortable. The fact is that in the Celestial Empire a sense of family is very developed. It is very important for a Chinese person to raise a child and leave him his last name.
32. There are even special apps to help single adults who live and work in big cities find a soul mate... temporarily. Such applications are especially in demand during the New Year holiday period, when single men and women tend to feel acute pressure from family and relatives in order to settle down and get married.
33. Dumplings 饺子, Jiǎozi, jiaozi are the favorite food of the Chinese on holidays and according to Chinese tradition, if there are a lot of dumplings on the table, then good luck awaits you in the New Year.
34. Therefore, dumplings are an indispensable attribute of the festive table, and their joint production is a good tradition. Modeling dumplings is a rather painstaking and lengthy process, which is accompanied by lively communication of the audience. Therefore, for many Chinese, dumplings symbolize happiness and harmony in the family, as well as the unity of all its members.
35. In Chinese, the word "dumplings" - "jiaozi" sounds the same as the word "changing hieroglyphs", only pronounced in a different tone. On the night of the New Year, from 12 o'clock to 1 o'clock, there is a change of two symbols - the new year and the old one. For example, this time the year of the Pig is replaced by the year of the Rat.
36. Also, dumplings look like a copper coin "yuanbao", so eating dumplings is considered "reception of capital."
37. Traditionally, the first few dumplings are sacrificed to the ancestors, the second ones are sacrificed to various deities. At this time, older family members offer a prayer for the happiness and well-being of the whole family in the new year.
38. In fairness, it should be noted that the tradition of eating dumplings on New Year's holidays is more common in northern China. In the south, people prefer to eat Chūnjuǎn spring rolls (Chinese pancakes with various fillings) and glutinous rice balls in a soup called Tang Yuan 汤圆 tāngyuán - dumplings, dumplings (rice flour balls stuffed with sweet or meat, in soup).
39. Remember the legend about the horned monster named Nian? He was frightened by the loud explosions of firecrackers, the bright light of fireworks and the red paint on the houses. Since then, fireworks and the color red have been an important part of New Year's celebrations. It is customary to celebrate the Spring Festival in red robes, even if it is the year of the blue water Tiger.
40. In the Western horoscope, each sign of the zodiac corresponds to its own animal. There are 12 in total for each month. There are also 12 animals in the Chinese horoscope, but each animal symbolizes one year. These are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
41. All the positive features of these animals are bestowed on people born in the corresponding year. The Chinese horoscope plays a much larger role than in Western cultures. Your pet can decide your career, health and success. Make sure you know which animal you were born into!
42. Traditionally, several generations live under one roof in China. And when a guy brings his wife into the house, she settles in this house too. And accordingly they celebrate the New Year as one big family. Visiting her parents' house on New Year's holidays would mean problems in marriage, which could bring trouble to her husband's entire extended family.
43. It will hardly surprise you, but the Chinese eat dumplings (jiaozi) on New Year's Eve as well, because this is the most popular traditional Chinese dish. It is worth noting that China is a fairly large and very diverse country, so the menu of the New Year's table will differ significantly from region to region.
44. For example, someone may choose niangao (年糕) - glutinous rice cookies, and someone - spring rolls with poultry or fish. All these dishes are associated with something positive and bright, energizing for the year ahead.
45. The TV show Chunwang is somewhat reminiscent of our Blue Light. This is a fairly young tradition, which gradually spread throughout the country.
46. The TV show "Chun Wan" or "Spring Gala Festival" is an annual entertainment show on China Central TV (CCTV) with music, dance, comedy shows and other performances.
47. The first show was released in 1983, and gradually Chunwang became the most watched TV program in the world.
48. Over the years, it has become part of the mandatory New Year's program, and many Chinese people stay at home with their families specifically to watch this TV show.
49. However, the younger generation is not so interested in watching TV shows and prefers to leave this business to their parents, skipping family viewing if possible. Be sure to ask your Chinese tandem partners about this show - someone loves it, someone hates it, no one is indifferent. This will definitely be an interesting topic for discussion.
50. As the name suggests, Chinese New Year is a 100% Chinese holiday. In fact, this holiday has become popular in many countries due to the spread of the Chinese community outside of China. Western countries are full of Chinese markets and areas (Chinatowns), where the New Year is celebrated exactly according to the lunar calendar.
Hardly anyone loves the New Year more than the Chinese, because they celebrate it several times. First, according to the Gregorian calendar (on the night of January 1), and then also according to the Eastern. Chinese New Year 2021 - twice a holiday!
Chinese New Year has long been the main and longest holiday in the Middle Kingdom and other countries of East Asia. Unlike its Western counterpart, there is no fixed date for the start of the Chinese New Year, and it is set at a different time each year.
The first day of the holiday in China falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice (that is, after December 21). In the Gregorian calendar, this usually corresponds to one of the days between January 21st and February 21st. The celebration usually lasts 15 days.
Thus, the next year according to the Chinese calendar will come on February 12, 2021. And it is planned to celebrate its offensive in China from February 12 to February 27. However, the Chinese will officially rest for only seven days - from 12 to 18 February.
The exact time of the Chinese New Year
The second new moon after the winter solstice will occur on February 12, 2021 at 00:03 Moscow time or 05:03 Beijing time. This time will be considered the beginning of the New Year according to the Eastern calendar. By the way, in China they will not celebrate 2021, as we will do very soon, but 4719.
Symbol of the year
Each year in China is symbolized by a combination that is repeated only once every 60 years. This combination represents one of the 12 zodiac animals of a certain color, corresponding to one of the five elements (water, earth, metal, fire and wood). Chinese New Year 2021 will symbolize the animal Ox and the elements of Metal, and the main color of the year will be white.
By the way, every 60-year circle begins with a wooden Rat and ends with a water Pig. Another such circle started on February 2, 1984, and it will end on January 29, 2044.
Preparing for Chinese New Year
According to an ancient myth, at the beginning of each new year, the Chinese are forced to hide from a monster named Nian (translated from Chinese as "Year"), which is believed to appear on the first day of the holiday in order to ravage all settlements: to eat all the livestock and the harvest, and at the same time a couple of villagers.
To protect their homes from this monster, the Chinese decorate them in advance: they glue them on the outside with beautiful patterns of red paper, paired inscriptions and pictures with wishes of happiness, health and longevity, and also hang red lanterns everywhere. The legend about the origin of the holiday will again help to understand what such a love for red is connected with. So, this legend says that one day people noticed how Nian, who usually loves to feast on children, was frightened by a child in red clothes. Without thinking twice, eyewitnesses of this amazing incident came to the conclusion that it was the color that scared the monster away.
In addition, on the eve of the holiday, each family carefully cleans their homes, believing that in this way they cleanse their lives from any failures and make room for happiness.
Festive feast
On New Year's Eve, Chinese families usually gather around the table. By the way, in the Celestial Empire it is customary to richly set the table for a festive dinner. Housewives, as a rule, prepare the most favorite dishes in the family. Traditionally, meat and fish must be on the table, as well as dumplings (jiaozi), which are the figurative embodiment of one of the main wishes - the birth of sons.
Moreover, for a festive dinner, even those family members who work or study in other cities or countries return home. All Chinese strive to celebrate the New Year with their parents, which is why on the eve of the holiday all transport in the country is overcrowded and it is simply impossible to buy tickets.
The festive night ends with fireworks and firecrackers, which are believed to scare away evil spirits and attract the spirit of peace and happiness to the family.
The first days of Chinese New Year
In the early morning of the next day, children congratulate their parents, wishing them health and a happy New Year, and in return they receive wishes for future success and red envelopes with money.
After that, the whole family goes to congratulate relatives and neighbors. Such visits to guests usually completely take the first five days of the new year.
And, of course, it cannot do without gifts. So, in the Celestial Empire, it is customary to give gifts from paired objects symbolizing unity and family harmony (while the number four is not recommended, since the Chinese associate it with death).
In addition, when visiting, it is customary for the owners to present two tangerines, and when leaving, they receive two other tangerines from them. Thus, the hosts and guests exchange symbols of financial well-being, which, according to the Chinese, are tangerines.
Holiday performances
Having visited all relatives and neighbors, the Chinese go out to festivities with traditional dances. As a rule, the traditional ones include the lion dance (dancers, being inside the figure of a lion, imitate the movements of this animal) and the dragon dance (a special team of people, holding a dragon made of paper on poles, moves in such a way that the snake-like body makes undulating movements).
The Chinese New Year in 2022 will be celebrated according to the monthly calendar, according to which the date of this holiday is calculated. This is one of the main holidays in the Middle Kingdom, which spans several weeks. But it is celebrated not only in China, the whole world celebrates this date and uses the symbols of the Chinese calendar.
Chinese New Year 2022 Date - How to determine the date
To determine when the New Year begins and ends in China in 2022, you need to use the Monthly Calendar. The first day of the holiday coincides with the second new month after December 21 (winter solstice). The date changes every year, but this holiday always takes place between January 21 and February 21. Chinese New Year in 2022 will be celebrated for 15 days - February 1-15.
The symbol of the Chinese New Year 2022
Every year, the characters change according to the Chinese calendar. 2021 will take place under the auspices of Metal Bull, and the next one, 2022, will take place under the sign of the Water Tiger. In total, there are 60 symbols in the Eastern calendar, which are replaced cyclically. According to the Chinese zodiac, this symbol brings good luck to all active and active people. According to popular belief, for people born under the sign of the Tiger, 2022 is the Year of Destiny, a time of dramatic change and fulfillment of desires.
How to prepare for the Chinese New Year 2022
The Chinese are beginning to prepare for the holiday in time. Many Europeans liked their traditions, and neighboring countries also have people who follow the rules of preparation for the holiday, which originated in China in ancient times.
House cleaning for Chinese New Year 2022
According to the oldest traditions that appeared in the Middle Kingdom, before the start of the holiday, it is worth doing a general cleaning of the house. Following the beliefs, it is important to get rid of everything that is not necessary, broken, because this prevents the entry of new creative energy into the home. In the Celestial Empire, they believe that this tradition helps to reduce last year's failures and bring prosperity to the house.
Decorating streets and houses
In ancient times, the Chinese believed that on the first day of the holiday, the monster Nian came to their villages, destroying houses, destroying cattle, crops and other goods. According to popular belief, this monster is afraid of red, which is why this shade dominates the clothing and decor during the holiday. Almost all the accessories are made in red, and the inscriptions are made with gold paint - it is believed that this helps to attract wealth and material well-being.
To protect itself from the destructive visit of a monster named Nian, the Celestial Empire came up with a tradition of decorating streets and houses with special symbols:
- bright red lanterns;
- paired inscriptions;
- pictures with a wish for happiness;
- models in red.
The decorations are closed in advance, knowing when the holiday starts, so that everything is ready by that time. Therefore, by the beginning of the holiday, the streets of the city across the country are filled with a solemn atmosphere, they become bright and beautiful.
How Chinese New Year 2022 is celebrated
The Chinese prepare for the holiday in advance and plan everything so that they can relax with their loved ones for 15 days, participate in festive events and go on a visit. Festive traditions have existed for centuries, although they have changed slightly over time.
Festive dinner
In China it is common to prepare a lot of food in advance. According to legend, in the early days, sharp objects should not be used, so as not to scare happiness and luck. On the eve of the first day, families gather for a festive meal.
The festive meal menu should include the following dishes:
- fish (carp, catfish, crucian) - this product symbolizes wealth;
- chicken - believed to bring good luck;
- dumplings are one of the traditional dishes of the Middle Kingdom, originally called jiaozi;
- radish is one of the most popular winter vegetables;
- fruits - pomelo, tangerines and oranges;
- sweets like balls and tangyuan rice cake.
Table treatments are usually arranged according to a special principle. But the main thing is that all the main traditional dishes are present, which symbolize happiness, success and well-being.
Family reunion
The Chinese government has decided to make the New Year holidays a weekend. Therefore, the Chinese have a little vacation during the holiday. On weekends, everyone comes from different cities to their parents' homes. The New Year in the Middle Kingdom is a family holiday.
How to properly launch fireworks and firecrackers
Launching fireworks in China is a long tradition and it is believed that the sound of explosions scares away evil spirits. First, the small firecrackers lined up are thrown into the air to celebrate the old year, and then three large fires are set on fire - to satisfy the beginning of a new one. Fireworks go out during New Year's Eve, but the country's main fireworks can be seen in the capital at exactly midnight. The locals also throw firecrackers as a sign of hospitality when they receive guests.
New Year's gifts
In China, for the New Year holidays, it is customary to give money in Hongbao red envelopes - this gift symbolizes the desire for prosperity and luck. There is also a tradition of giving paired gifts, for example, a set of two mugs with the symbol of the year. Close relatives are given expensive gifts, friends and acquaintances - symbolic gifts.
Cultural activities
The dates at the beginning and end of the holiday are celebrated in a particularly bright way - solemn events, concerts, and fireworks are organized. When a particular event takes place, local residents will find out about posters and announcements in advance. Traditionally, the following cultural events take place in the Celestial Empire to celebrate the New Year:
- performances and theater performances are arranged, the actors show historical events and various plays;
- the main prayer of the year is held in Longhua Temple, all devout Chinese strive to attend this ceremony;
- on the first day, fireworks are launched and the firecrackers explode, a grand festive fireworks take place in the capital;
- fairs are organized in regions, visitors are offered exotic food and snacks, masterpieces with images of the symbol of the year are sold;
- mass celebrations, concerts and other entertainment and entertainment events are organized;
- on the last day of the holiday, lighted lanterns are launched into the sky, making a wish - it is believed that it must be fulfilled.
Chinese New Year 2022: Final thoughts
Chinese New Year in 2022 will be celebrated for 15 days - February 1-15. At this time, all who honor Eastern traditions can join in the holiday by going on a trip to the Middle Kingdom or by hosting a holiday at home.
New Year's holidays are a time to take stock of the outgoing year and celebrate the arrival of a new one. That means it's time to share your hopeful wishes for a Happy New Year with everyone around you in your life, including friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors. After all, these are the people that you have incredible memories with in 2022 and who will continue to make your life in 2023.
Congratulations and wishes - New Year 2023
Show them how much you care about them by sharing these uplifting wishes, greetings, New Year quotes and touching messages. You can write them on a beautiful postcard, send them by message, send them by email, or even say them in person at a fun New Year's Eve party!
Happy New Year greetings to friends
1. May 2023 be the best year of your life for you.
2. I hope 2023 brings you lots of love, laughter and positivity.
3. Happy New Year! May it be filled with new adventures and good luck.
4. Know that whatever 2023 brings, I will be by your side. I can't wait to see together what the coming year has in store for us. It will be interesting!
5. The New Year comes and goes, but our bond will last a lifetime. Congratulations, dear friend, on 2023!
6. I am grateful for all that we have done together in the past year, and I am grateful in advance for what we will create in the new year.
7. I could not even dream of a better person to meet the New Year. I have a feeling that 2023 will be our best year yet.
8. I hasten to congratulate a one-of-a-kind friend on the New Year. I hope 2023 will shine as brightly as you!
9. Down with the old, use the new. May the new year bring you prosperity and good luck.
10. New Year means a new chapter. I hope 2023 is an incredibly positive part of your story.
11. Meet the New Year with an open heart and a strong spirit! With new horizons!
12. Happy New Year! In the New Year, I wish you good health, lots of love and lots and lots of laughter.
13. Last year was difficult. But I can't wait to see what adventures await us in 2023! We are built to overcome problems! Together we are stronger!
14. Thank you for being with me all year. Let's make 2023 an unforgettable year together. We can!
15. Happy New Year! Good health, good impressions and good people in life.
16. 2023 is your year, I can feel it. Happy New Year and New Opportunities!
17. Well, another year is coming to an end. Our friendship is very strong and dear to my heart - may it continue to flourish in the new year.
18. Here is the New Year, my friend. I wish you only happiness and more money in 2023.
19. Happy New Year to someone I'm proud to call my friend. Let's celebrate!
20. I am so grateful that we are celebrating 2023 together. Happy New Year my friend!
Happy New Year greetings for family
21. Thank you for being my source of inspiration and motivation today and every day. I can't wait to spend the whole of 2023 with you, my beloved and dearest people.
22. Thank you for being with me all the time, Happy New Year to you!
23. I am always grateful to you for everything. For an unforgettable new year filled with love and family happiness.
24. New Year - which means new memories await us at the end of 2023! Looking forward to next year and all that it has to offer us.
25. Thank you for being by my side - not only this New Year, but every New Year. You are best!
26. There is nothing better than celebrating the New Year with the best people in the world. Love you!
27. A wonderful holiday season filled with love and happiness has come to an end. So excited to see what 2023 has in store for our family.
28. My only wish in the new year is that we continue to create our positive memories together. Have a fabulous holiday!
29. My dear [parent/brother/child], I am so proud of everything you have accomplished over the past year. I know that you will continue to do phenomenal things in 2023. Have a nice holiday break.
30. I always look forward to meeting you in the New Year. Thank you for what you did for me in 2022, which made it great - looking forward to 2023!
31. New Year is a time to reflect on the things that made our year special. All the time we spent together in 2022 is priceless to me. Looking forward to all the good things that we will have next year.
32. Let the good times come! Grateful for celebrating the New Year with you [parent/sibling/child]. I love you very much!
33. As 2023 approaches, I can't help but reflect on past New Year's holidays. They were so alive and full of love, just like this one. I'm so glad to meet 2023 with you!
34. We have been through a lot together over the years. I don't know what I would do without you. Thank you for always being there. Have a magical New Year's Eve.
35. There are two things in the world that are most important - family and love. Enjoy what's left of the good of 2022 and get ready for a great 2023 that will make our family even happier.
36. I can't help but smile at everything we've been through together in 2022. Thank you for making this year one of the best for us together. I wish you a happy and healthy new year!
37. New year, new opportunities. May the new year bring you nothing but the best, [parent/sibling/child]. Sending warm wishes for the whole of 2023!
38. Happy new year to the best [parent/brother/child] in the world. Your kindness and generosity are beacons of light in this world. May the coming year bring you everything you deserve.
39. 2022 has come and gone, and now we will focus on the year ahead. I just know that 2023 is going to be a memorable and cool year for our family.
40. Happy New Year to my wonderful [parent/brother/child]. I love you endlessly and can't wait until we all celebrate the New Year together.
Happy New Year greetings to colleagues
41. Happy New Year! I can't wait to see you all in the new year 2023.
42. Wishing you all the best as the new year approaches. To your health!
43. Thank you for being great colleagues in 2022. May your new year be prosperous and joyful.
44. Warmest congratulations to you and your loved ones on the New Year.
45. Happy New Year! I don't know what I would do without you this year. Thank you for beeing!
46. We have successfully passed 2022. I can't wait to work together in 2023. Happy New Year!
47. I am so glad that this year we have become closer as colleagues. I wish you a happy and carefree New Year!
48. This year you were a lifeguard at work. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do! For a prosperous 2023.
49. You are a real superstar at our job. May the new year bring you only happiness!
50. Enjoy the New Year - see you in 2023!
51. I am amazed at all the great work you have done this year. So excited to see everything you achieve in 2023.
52. Happy New Year to the cool colleague I could only dream of. I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday!
53. You made this year! Without your hard work and selfless dedication, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for giving it your all - enjoy the New Year.
54. When I think about your work this year, one word comes to mind: WOW! Enjoy your holiday - see you next year.
55. You are the glue that holds our entire team together. I appreciate you and all that you have done for us in 2022. Wish you have a good time in 2023!
56. Happy New Year! Thank you for always doing your best. I wish you a pleasant and healthy time in 2023.
57. As the end of the year approaches, I can't help but think of all the great things that our (your) team has done. You have done so much and I am grateful that I have such colleagues. Happy New Year!
58. 2023 is going to be a hell of a year for our team. Glad to work with you further - Happy New Year!
59. I wish the most wonderful colleague a wonderful New Year!
60. I am forever grateful to you for everything that I have learned thanks to you. I wish you and your loved ones a bright start to 2023!
Short congratulations on the New Year
61. Just Happy New Year!
62. I wish you a happy and healthy 2023.
May love and laughter fill your new year.
63. Until 2023!
64. Congratulations on the New Year, which will be filled with new good events.
65. I hope the new year brings you endless joy.
66. Have a good New Year celebration and new beginnings.
67. Let's make the most of the new year 2023.
68. New year, new us. 2023 - new everything!
69. 2023 will be our year. Let's do it.
70. We welcome 2023, which is sure to be the best of the best. I raise a toast to your health!
71. My warm wishes for the whole year 2023.
72. Goodbye 2022, hello 2023. Happy holiday!
73. Sending you the warmest New Year wishes!
74. Happy New Year to you and your family.
75. Let's make 2023 a year of accomplishments and achievements.
76. Time to have fun, Happy New Year 2023!
Congratulations in quotes and aphorisms
77. "Mark endings - for they precede new beginnings" - Jonathan Lockwood Huey
78. “An optimist stays up until midnight to celebrate the New Year. The pessimist stays behind to make sure the old year is gone." — William E. Vaughn, journalist and writer
79. “The end of the year is not the end or the beginning, but the continuation.” — Hal Borland, writer, journalist and naturalist
80. “There is such a book in life, and it is called “Opportunity”, and its first chapter is “New Year”. — Edith Lovejoy Pierce, poet
81. “Inspiration can be found in everything. If you can't, then you're looking badly." — Paul Smith, fashion designer. “I wish you to find something in the new year that was not found in the past!”
82. “Don't wait your turn. Bet on yourself and have the courage to stand up and say, "My time has come." — Robert F. Smith, businessman "I'm sure your time has come - act in the new year!"
83. “Age is not the enemy. Stagnation is the enemy. Complacency is the enemy." — Twyla Tharp, dancer. “I wish you new achievements and moving forward!”
For centuries, mankind has created a history that has been passed down from generation to generation. The myths or the reality about the leap years that have survived so far make everyone think about this inexplicable fact.
What is a leap year?
The term "jump" in Latin has a numerical meaning - 2/6. It is scientifically the fourth year above the standard number of days (366).
The historical period of a leap year
During the reign of Y. Caesar, there was an additional day repeated in the Roman calendar, with a number (February 24).
The Romans counted the days, the years, according to the Julian calendar.
In the Julian calendar, every fourth year was considered a leap year, and the last two days of February were below the same number.
After the death of the Roman ruler, the priests deliberately began to appoint the third year - a leap year. There was a change in the annual time and people, for this reason, lived up to twelve leap years.
Due to the decree of the new emperor of Rome - Augustus Octavian, everything fell into place. It took sixteen years to get the "jump time" right.
Sixteen centuries later, the Orthodox Church introduced new changes to the calendar.
The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Gregory XIII, proposed to calculate the calendar according to the new rules. He proposed introducing an additional day in February with a different date (February 29). At the general assembly, before the coming Easter, the idea of the head of the Catholic Church was successfully accepted. The Roman calendar had a new chronology. In honor of the leader of the Catholic Church, she began to be called a "Gregorian."
The modern concept of a leap year
It is known that a year consists of 365 days. The next fourth year is considered a leap year. It's a longer day.
In a leap year, February is not twenty-eight days, but twenty-nine, but this phenomenon happens every four years.
Assumptions and superstitions for the leap year
Our Slavic ancestors believed that the leap year was a mystical, superstitious year. Probably the reason lies in the distant history of Saint Kasyan.
Saint Kasian served in the Galilean monastery and was its founder. He became famous for his writing career after writing twenty-four essays on "Interview," based on a moral, Christian attitude toward the faith.
The main flaw in Saint Kasyan's life was that his date of birth fell on the last day of February and even at the end of the year.
According to the Slavic faith, the last day of the year was considered the end of a severe winter. For this reason, the holy monk gained a bad reputation.
The superstitious Slavs considered the last day of a leap year to be the most difficult. They believed in evil spirits. Hence the fear of people before a leap year.
The signs of a leap year have been associated with Saint Kasyan:
- If Kasyan approached people, the disease would attack them.
- Kasyan was next to the animals - their deaths were inevitable.
- Where Kasyan's gaze falls, there will be trouble and devastation.
- The unsuccessful year is approaching Kasyanov - unsuccessful.
According to legend, in a leap year, there are many things you should not do, for example:
- Play weddings
- Plan a pregnancy, have children
- Create new projects
- Go into the woods for mushrooms
- Haircut
- Divorce file
- Borrow money
- Plant new seeds
- Make interior renovations
- Buying real estate
The approach of a leap year in modern society is controversial. One part of society believes in its negative actions, the other does not.
Negative side of a leap year:
- Natural disasters
- Military conflicts
- Frequent accident
The positive side of a leap year
People born in a leap year are creative and talented people. Endowed with a brilliant charisma, strong character, love of life (Julius Caesar, Leonardo da Vinci, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Gauguin).
Today, a leap year is perceived as a year of disasters, wars, catastrophes. After all, the worst events took place during this period.
People are prone to believe something and most often evil. A leap year is perceived as a time of loss, disappointment, sadness. Is that right? Just ask yourself.
Leap year: where did the extra day come from?
Do you think that the Earth will make a complete revolution in exactly 365 days? No, it's not like that - the Earth makes a complete circle around the Sun a little longer, that is, 365 days and 6 hours.
In other words, an extra quarter is added each year. For 4 years, such quarters come out 24 hours. So, it turned out that a year that is a multiple of 4 (2008, 2012, 2016, the calendar of leap years is based on this principle) is different from the rest.
The leap year is intended to eliminate this surplus and to bring the balance into chronology. If it weren't for the leap year, then in a few centuries the new year would have been postponed to the beginning of March, and that's pretty serious!
Differences from leap year
The differences between a leap year and other years, from a material point of view, are limited only by the number of days. In addition, people need to work harder for a day. Sometimes, however, it turns out and rests once again, but this happens quite rarely.
Astrologically, there are a lot of problems around the Earth around the Sun in a leap year:
- everyday problems;
- man-made disasters;
- natural cataclysms;
- relatively high mortality.
However, one can argue with the latter - there are no comments from ritual service workers about the increase in mortality. Only a few older people die.
Year leap: Greetings from Antiquity
For the first time, the ancient Romans were concerned about the inconsistency of the calendar with the actual course of time. In this country, it was forbidden to transfer significant data in another season. People were guided by the movement of the Sun in the sky.
Gaius Julius Caesar solved the problem quickly and radically - from the time of his reign, people began to live according to the Julian calendar, which just added a day in February every 4 years. They gradually started moving to the new calendar, not everyone accepted it, but time took its toll.
Over time, the pagan calendar migrated to Christian culture. But in some regions this year he is associated with Kasyan Visokos, one of the saints, the patron saint of monasticism.
He is believed to have been drinking without restraint for three years, and at the age of four he gets angry and takes revenge in public for the fact that his birthday is celebrated only once every 4 years.
However, there is a discrepancy here - a Christian saint, by definition, cannot be a drunk, plus there is no record in the church that Visokos would like.
Signs and beliefs associated with a leap year
Now the leap year is relatively simple, and earlier some people were afraid to leave home on February 29 in a leap year. For example, there was a sign that if you get a good frost on that day, and the frosts can be severe at the end of February, then a person will certainly catch a cold and die.
The same goes for animals. Popular belief says that any mistake in caring for pets on this day can cost animals their lives. For example, malnutrition or overeating.
Starting a new business in a leap year, according to popular belief, cannot be very successful.
Surely everything will be ruined: even if a man builds a house, he even opens a business. In addition, all major cases should be postponed until at least February 29 - this time is considered the most unfortunate since the beginning of the year.
To calm Visokos a little, you need to do the following:
- under the bells, throw a glass of vodka from the window (another alcohol is suitable, but it must be strong);
- drink without glasses that shake when it is exactly midnight;
- If you still have glasses, then you should put the glasses on the table before taking a sip.
According to popular belief, Visokos' anger will diminish slightly before the completion of the next journey around the Sun.
Another interesting sign is associated with the collection of gifts from nature. Picking mushrooms and berries is usually difficult on February 29, but things found on the street, such as money, can cause problems if they enter the house.
And if the dog barks at the same time (a dog day on February 29 itself is a bad sign), then trouble is guaranteed. You have to ignore it while saying, "Hold me out."
Prohibitions of the leap year
Because this year is so unlucky, people have come with a lot of bans, noticing that you can remove the troubles from home. By the way, nature "participates" in these prohibitions as well.
For example, according to ancient memories, in leap years, usually a poor apple crop.
So what not to do in a leap year:
- You can't sing carols for baptism. This ritual in itself is relatively associated with evil spirits and once every four years it is especially "attentive" to humans. You better not litter. So, no matter how many sweets people offer, it is better to avoid carols.
- It is not recommended to sell homemade products. It is believed that happiness and wealth leave home with them.
- You can't show the first erupted tooth to a baby to anyone, except maybe your closest relatives. If the ban is violated, the child will have crooked teeth.
- You can't start a big business, including getting married. Everything will break down, as I mentioned above.
- You can't buy "coffin stuff". It sounds weird, but for some people in their old age it is the norm to buy things for their own funeral. Doing so in a leap year will hasten death.
- Women are strictly forbidden to dye their hair. This can lead to the lady becoming bald.
- It is forbidden to change jobs or places of residence. In a new place, a person will simply not take root, you will have to start from scratch (this point is sometimes impractical because there are different circumstances in life).
- Having children joins this forbidden group, but not everyone takes this restriction seriously.
Everything may sound archaic, but the fact remains - people often complain to astrologers and psychics about the misfortunes that began even after violating such prohibitions.
Conclusion - until the Earth makes a complete revolution around the Sun in a leap year, some activities should be abandoned.
The reason for the bad reputation of a leap year
We must recognize that if we did not have leap years, there would be a regular change of seasons. Therefore, they help to synchronize the Gregorian and astrological calendars and do not allow the seasons to change in other months.
But why a leap year is considered bad, you have to figure it out. In Slavic culture, there has long been a negative attitude towards such years. An additional day in February was considered the cause of disasters and landslides.
Perhaps the reason for such antipathy was that this time, on February 29, according to Slavic beliefs, Kashchey-Chernobog was subdued, commanding dark forces, sowing evil, death, disease, and madness.
Old Russians often associated a day of jumping with Cassian, who was born on February 29th. Based on the legends, where he was assigned the role of guardian of the gates of Hell, the traitorous cherub, the adoptive one of the demons, etc., one can understand why this character was very feared and strongly cursed. The Russians were convinced that Cassian had a negative impact throughout the year. There was a pestilence of cattle and poultry, crops were destroyed in the fields, and famine began.
On February 29, people once again tried not to go out into the yard, to keep cattle and birds closed.
It is difficult to answer unequivocally why a leap year is considered bad. Some scientists claim that natural and man-made disasters are becoming more common during this period. Many personalities are also in a hurry to cancel their individual problems for more than a year.
The following tragic events are historical facts:
- the collapse of the Byzantine Empire and the city of Constantinople falls in the leap year 1204;
- the bloody Spanish Inquisition began in 1232;
- the plague of the inhabitants of medieval Europe from the plague, in which 1/3 of the population died in 1400;
- the terrible events of the Night of St. Bartholomew in 1572;
- the terrible tsunami in Japan in 1896 and the earthquake in China in 1556;
- In 1908, everyone became aware of the fall of the Tunguska meteorite, etc.
List of leap years in the 21st century
To plan important events in your life, such as marriage, birth, change of profession, place of residence, etc., information about leap years in this century will be helpful.
Leap years, list of the twentieth century: 1904, 1908, 1912, 1916, 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988 , 1992, 1996.
Leap years in our century: 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024, 2028, 2032, 2036, 2040, 2044, 2048, 2052, 2056, 2060, 2064, 2068, 2072, 2076, 2080, 2084, 2088, 2092, 2096, 2100.
Let's summarize
A positive attitude and self-confidence form a strong basis for important achievements in a person's life, and small superstitions should not become an obstacle to achieving goals.
Is it the leap year or 2022? 2022 will be an ordinary year. From year to year, the approach of the new year arouses enthusiasm among superstitious people.
Interest is based on the popular signs and superstitions associated with the addition to the additional February 29th. One day, February 29, is added to the calendar every four years.
If you believe in your own strengths you will be able to do whatever you want in any year! We at Bemorepanda advise you not to be guided by superstitions!
