How did New Year's Day come about?

New Year's Day in China always refers to the first day of the first month of the summer calendar (lunar calendar and lunar calendar). The calculation method of the first day of the first month was also very inconsistent before the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Therefore, the New Year's Day of the past dynasties is not consistent. Meng Xiyue (1 month) is the first month of the Xia calendar, the twelfth month of the Shang lunar calendar (1February) and the winter month of the week calendar (1 1 month). After Qin Shihuang unified China, Yangchun month (October) was the first month, that is, the first day of October was New Year's Day.

From Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, it was stipulated that Meng Xiyue (January) was the first month, and Meng Xiyue (the first day of the first month in the summer calendar) was called New Year's Day, which was used until the end of the Qing Dynasty.

In A.D. 19 1 1, the Revolution of 1911 led by Sun Yat-sen overthrew the rule of the Manchu Dynasty and established the Republic of China. Representatives of provincial governors met in Nanjing and decided to use the Gregorian calendar, calling 65438+ 10 1 of the lunar calendar "Spring Festival" and 65438+ 10/of the Gregorian calendar "New Year's Day", but it was not officially announced at that time.

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Customs of New Year's Day:

First, clean the dust.

The custom of sweeping dust was very popular in Yao and Shun dynasties, because dust and Chen are homophonic, and the New Year is a festival to welcome new weather. Therefore, sweeping dust means "getting rid of the old and not being new", which means sweeping away all unlucky things and making yourself full of good luck in the new year. Therefore, on the night before the New Year, almost every household has to clean the environment, clean all kinds of electrical appliances, remove and clean bedding curtains and so on.

Second, shou sui

The custom of observing the old age has a long history, which was first recorded in the Local Records of the Western Jin Dynasty, that is, on New Year's Eve, all parties gave gifts to each other, which was called "giving back the old age"; Wine and food are invited, which is called "not old"; Young and old get together to drink and wish a complete song called "age division"; Everyone stays up all night, waiting for dawn. This is the so-called "shou sui". Since the Han Dynasty, the time for the alternation of the old and new years is generally at midnight.

Third, New Year greetings.

The meaning of New Year's greetings is very simple, that is, to go to relatives and friends' homes and send gifts and greetings. This custom was not invented in modern times, but was one of the most popular customs in Song Dynasty.

However, at that time, only royalty and nobles would do so. They have a lot of manners. They will make special greeting cards, which are generally called "name stickers". The making method is not simple. Different positions and levels have different fancy styles, but in any case, they will eventually bring some gifts and visit their homes.

Baidu Encyclopedia-New Year's Day