Диплом Традиции и жизнь Китая. Учебная работа № 142170

Учебная работа № 142170. Диплом Традиции и жизнь Китая

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…ago. In the
years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon
(actually the first visible cresent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of
spring).
The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new
year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of
blossoming. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural
significance. It is purely arbitrary.
The Babylonian new year celebration lasted for eleven days.
Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that
modern New Year’s Eve festivities pale in comparison.
The Romans continued to observe the new year in late March,
but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that
the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.
In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153
BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering
continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known
as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in
order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous
year drag on for 445 days.
THE CHURCH’S VIEW OF NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
Although in the first centuries AD the Romans continued
celebrating the new year, t…