New Year icons and the stories they tell
The planet is divided vertically by time. There are more than 24 different time zones, which means that thanks to the magic of the Internet you can watch New Year’s fireworks at least 20 times on December 31st.
If you’re in South America, you can start the day with fireworks in Sydney, Australia, followed by displays in various parts of Asia, such as Bangkok, then watch them going off across Europe and end the day with fireworks in your own country.
There’s more than one New Year. The Gregorian calendar celebrates it on the night of December 31st. In contrast, the Chinese (or Lunar) New Year is celebrated for 16 days between January and February (it changes yearly since it depends on the moon). And finally, there is the Japanese New Year, which is celebrated over the first three days of the Gregorian year, although two hundred years ago it was at the beginning of the Lunar year.
With Flaticon, you can celebrate all three! Because we’re bringing you icons representing all of these New Year celebrations.
Let’s get to know some of the traditions brought to life in our icons.
Gregorian New Year | December 31st – January 1st
Fireworks
Fireworks are an essential part of New Year’s celebrations. Gigantic pyrotechnic displays go off in the world’s largest cities at midnight. Lately, drone choreographies have replaced fireworks to avoid the noise from explosions and the danger of fire and accidents.
New Year’s resolutions
Starting a new year is the perfect opportunity to change negative or problematic habits and make those improvements you’ve been putting off for so long. That’s what New Year’s resolutions are all about: focusing on what you want to change in your daily life. The change kicks in after the New Year’s Eve party.
Yellow or colorful underwear
In some countries, it is customary to wear colorful underwear to attract good luck. In Peru, the custom is to wear yellow, whereas, in other countries, the favored color is red. Some even choose the color according to the meaning. Yellow, for example, is said to bring good luck, although in other countries, the opposite is true. Red attracts love. Orange calls work in, and so on.
Countdown party
Counting down the seconds to 12 midnight on December 31 is part of the night’s fun. When zero is reached, the celebration is unleashed with balloons, confetti, lights, fireworks and drone shows. Some people follow the tradition of kissing on the dot of midnight for a new year full of romance.
Christmas
In countries where Christmas isn’t celebrated, as in Europe or America, the symbolism associated with Christmas is used for the New Year celebration. The most emblematic symbols are Santa Claus, Christmas trees and snowflakes.
Lunar New Year | January 22nd – February 5th
The lion dance
The lion dance is the most emblematic celebration of the Chinese/Lunar New Year. The large Chinese diaspora has a presence worldwide, and the lion dance is celebrated in many communities around the planet. During the Lunar New Year celebrations, groups of dancers dressed as lions wearing magnificent handmade costumes walk around the community to bring luck to businesses and people.
Lantern festival
The Chinese New Year lasts for several days; the last day is the lantern festival. On that day, people make or buy paper lanterns to release into the sky when the sun sets. The idea is that with the lantern, they say goodbye to the old year and the animal that represents it. In 2023, the lanterns will say goodbye to the tiger and welcome the rabbit.
Small red envelopes
It is customary to give red paper envelopes during the Chinese New Year. An amount of money is enclosed in each envelope; however, it’s not the money that is important, but the envelope itself. The color red is associated with abundance and good fortune. Red envelopes are exchanged between everyone celebrating the Chinese New Year.
Japanese New Year | January 1st – January 3rd
Temple visit
The first visit to the temple closest to home is paramount during Japanese New Year celebrations. Starting the new year with an offering at the temple will bring good fortune to the family.
The great cleanup
Families clean their houses down to the most hidden corners during the Japanese New Year festivities. This eliminates all the old energy, so only fresh energy is brought into the house.
Design the New Year your way
With Flaticon’s New Year resources you can design the New Year just as you like it. Do your customers need designs to celebrate the end of the year? Thanks to Flaticon, you can create everything they need in no time.
Get inspired with lions, fireworks and grapes at midnight.
Happy New Year!
