Muslim New Year The Muslim calendar is based on the movements of the moon, so the date of New Year is eleven days earlier each year. In 2002, the New Year was celebrated on March 23. A few days prior to the New Year, the people will place grains of wheat or barley into a dish of water to grow. By the New Year, the grains will have produced shoots, reminding people of a new year of life. Many will also plant new trees to signify the a new beginning of life.

Hindu New Year The majority of Hindus live in India, but they don't all celebrate the New Year on the same day or at the same time. In West Bengal, people like to wear flowers for New Years in a variety o colors. The most popular color of flower is yellow, the color of Spring.

In Kerala, mothers put food, flowers, and small gifts on a special tray. On New Year's morning, the children are led to the tray with their eyes shut - Surprise!

In central India, orange flags are flown from buildings.

In Gujarat, in western India, New Year is celebrated at the end of October, and it is celebrated at the same time as the Indian festival of Diwali. Small oil lights are lit all along the roofs of buildings.

At New Year, Hindus think particularly of the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.

Vietnamese New Year In Vietnam, the New Year is called Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet for short. It begins between January 21 and February 19, the exact date changes each year. The people believe that at the New Year a god who resides in every home, travels to heaven where he will report on how good or bad that family has been in the past year. They also believe that the first person to enter the home at New Year will bring luck, good or bad.

Japanese New Year The Japanese celebrate New Year on January 1 just as we do here in the U.S. To keep out evil spirits, they hand a straw rope across their houses, representing happiness and good luck. While we here in the U.S. give a customary kiss at New Years, the Japanese ring in the New Year with a hearty laugh, which is supposed to bring them good luck in the new year.

Chinese New Year Celebrated at the New Moon, the Chinese new year is celebrated on a date between January 17 and February 19. The Chinese New Year is marked by grand street processing lit lights from thousands of lanterns. The Chinese use fireworks to frighten spirits away.

New Year's in Greece In Greece, New Year's Day is celebrated along with the Festival of Saint Basil, who was famous for his kindness. Greek children will leave their shoes by the fire in hopes that Saint Basil will fill them with gifts.

Scottish New Year In Scotland, barrels of tar are set on fire and rolled through the streets. The old year is thus burned up, and the new one is allowed to enter.

As you can see, New Year's is celebrated all around the world. Whether it's celebrated in Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, it's a universal tradition for many cultures around the globe.

About the Author

Michelle Gonzalez is the editor of both www.youthweekly.com and www.inspiredparent.com . A mother of three, she enjoys writing articles as well as poems and stories in her spare time. Her passions around childrens literacy and good parenting led her to create her two successful ezines.