Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1920-12-31
New Years Day
in
Many Lands
YEW YEARS DAY is a time for

happiness, ana IN some cOun-
tries, for the interchange of gifts. 1t
Is also a day which, because 1t Is the
beginning of another year In ones life,
has associated with 1t a certain sa-
credness which often takes the form
Of resolutions to do more and better
things than one has ever done before.
1t is appropriate that the series of
II months should open on the first day
of January, because this is the period
of the winter solstice, the turning
point of the year, the time when earth
begins to be revivified In anticipation
Of the coming Of spring. The ancients
understood this significance and, al
though several changes in their calen-
dar took place before the present date
was made permanent, January 1st has
been, we are told, the generally ac-
cepted date since the reign Of the Ro-
man king Numa Pompilius, 672 B. G.
He decreed that the year should begin
as 1t now does. and added two new
months to the already existing ten.
The first month was named January
in honor of the god Janus, who was
represented by the Romans as having
two faces, this signifying that he was
acquainted with both past and future
events. On this first day 1t was the
Roman custom to offer to Janus sacri-
flee upon twelve different affairs.
Among the offerings was cake Of
sifted meal with incense and wine
The people took every precaution to
conduct themselves so perfectly that
nothing but good might be presaged
for the coming year. Latin writer's of
the time say that all strifes and diff
ferences ceased at the New Year The
day was spent in visiting, feasting and
exchanging gifts. Indeed. the burden
Of giving had become so heavy that
during the reign of Claudius he felt
forced to limit 1t by a decree.
In Belgium the children are espe-
cially active on New Years. Their
greatest fun is obtained by secreting
all the keys belonging to the various
doors Of the house. Then they hide.
watching. lynx-eyed from their van
tage ground for the chance to lock up
an unsuspecting parent or uncle or
aunt When once caught they are not
freed until they promise a certain for
felt of sweetmeats.
In France 1t is called '1e jour de
ran"-the day of the year. Merry
making, calls and gifts reign supreme.
Dancing, singing and wine also have
prominence. Candy, not usually al
lowed to French children. is generous
ly given out, January 1st Is also the
day for family reunions. And in the
early morning hours relatives of any,
one who has died during the year as
semble at the grave for brief service
One of the prettiest customs In the
world Is that observed at Franfort-on-
the-Main. Many are the gay parties
which gather on New Years eve and
when the great cathedral clock begins
to chime the midnight hour every win,
dow of every occupied house is raised
Each person lifts high a glass and
with one voice the whole city cries
out, "Prosit Neujahr." By the time
the twelfth stroke is reached the win.
dows are closed and quiet reigns as
the old year draws its last breath.
In rural parts of Russia the chill
dren, who have arisen especially early
on this holiday. start out on a house
toulouse pilgrimage, with pockets
brimful Of dried peas and wheat
Doors are never locked In Russia, so
It is an easy matter to enter. IF the
occupants of the house thus visited
are asleep the children pelt with peas
those whom they dislike, and then
sprinkle wheat over their friends.
High mass is celebrated on New
Years at Madrid. Many presents are
given between friend and friend, and
by the rich to the poor.
A Chinese New Year custom Is for
the people to buy or bake small cakes
made of rice, -four and sugar. which
with fruit and dates they put on
plates and place before the image Of
Buddha. This is the one time Of the
year when everybody Is religious. New
door gods are pasted upon the doors.
consisting of colored prints of the re-
puted likenesses Of two great warriors
Of ancient times, who were supposed
to be defenders not only of the coun-
try but of the home. On the morning
of the last day of the year they wOr-
ship their ancestors and the Buddhas,
and on New Years day they worship
the god Of wealth for having brought
them safely through another year.