5 Completely Different Ways to Celebrate New Years

Although most of us in western culture celebrate New Year's day on the first official day of the Gregorian calendar — Jan. 1 — there are many different unique dates to celebrate New Year around the world.

Here are five of them:

• Chinese New Year — Every year, the changing date for the Chinese New Year falls between Jan. 21-Feb. 21, depending on when the new moon of the first lunar month falls. In 2012, the celebration is Jan. 23. The 15-day observance is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays and is known as "Spring Festival." 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, specifically the water dragon. Festive spirits will be high with all kinds of celebrations as the dragon represents great power.
• Jewish New Year — Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and is celebrated in autumn on the first two days of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. For Jews, it is a time of introspection and to look back at their mistakes over the past year and plan changes for the one ahead. The holiday is marked with the eating of apples dipped in honey as a symbol for a sweet new year. Most often the day is spent in a synagogue, as it is one of the holiest days of the year. 
• Islamic New Year — Also known as the Hijri New Year, the Islamic New Year falls on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. Special prayers are said and the appearance of the new moon is recorded in mosques. This fairly quiet new year celebration will be on Nov. 14 in 2012.
• Thai New Year — Also called the Songkran, the Thai New Year is celebrated from April 13-15. One of the main activities is the throwing of water, using large containers, water guns and even garden hoses to soak each other. The water is symbolic in the hopes that it will bring good rains in the new year. All Buddha statues and images are also cleansed for good luck and prosperity.
• Ethiopian New Year — also called Enkutatash, meaning the "gift of jewels," the Ethopian New Year will be on Sept. 11, at the end of the big rains. Dancing, singing and celebrations happen as the people celebrate this spring festival. Some cities have spectacular religious celebrations although it is not exclusively a religious holiday.