The history of the January 13 holiday: Old New Year — traditions, omens, prohibitions

The Old New Year is celebrated on the night of January 13-14. In 2026, the date falls on a Tuesday. This day symbolizes the end of winter holidays and rituals associated with folk traditions, generosity and hopes for the coming year. Read about the history of the holiday, traditions, as well as signs and prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

Old New Year — the history of the holiday

The Old New Year appeared in Russia in 1918, when the Soviet government decided to switch from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The decree of the Council of People's Commissars of January 24, 1918, decreed that February 14 would immediately follow January 31, 1918 — this was a step by the Bolsheviks towards synchronizing Russia with Europe.

The Orthodox Church continued to use the old calendar, which led to the postponement of religious holidays, including Christmas, 13 days ahead. According to the new style, the holiday began to be celebrated on January 7 (according to the old style — on December 25).

After the transition to the Gregorian calendar system, the date of the New Year also shifted. However, for some time, people continued to celebrate it out of habit on the night of January 13-14 (from December 31 to January 1, old style). That's how the old New Year came about.

Gradually, the old New Year became a kind of end to the New Year's holiday season, especially in the countries of the former USSR and in a number of other states where the church also preserved the Julian calendar. The holiday is celebrated not only in Russia, but also in other countries — in Greece, Serbia, Algeria, Tunisia, as well as in Switzerland, where this day is known as the old St. Sylvester's Day.

Traditions of the old New Year

The Old New Year is considered a kind of "second chance" to start over with a clean slate. In modern Russia, this is an occasion to gather with friends and family at the same table. Compared to the New Year, this day is much quieter.: families gather around the table, remember the past year and make plans for the future.

The period from January 13 to January 14 is rich in traditions in itself. In Russia at that time, various rituals were performed, including generosity and sowing. Young people went home and scattered grain, wishing for wealth and a good harvest in the new year.

Caroling was also popular among young people. They sang traditional songs and received treats and small money for it. It creates an atmosphere of fun and community. Fortune-telling was also an integral part of the holiday, especially for girls. Many people guess at their betrothed and for good luck.

Happy Old New Year: heartfelt greetings in prose, funny wishes

What not to do for the old New Year

On the old New Year, there are a number of prohibitions that people adhere to in order not to attract trouble. For example, you should not quarrel and conflict — this can lead to strife for the whole year.

Other prohibitions:

— to refuse hospitality leads to poverty;

— lending money leads to financial losses;

— take out the trash — to take out good luck;

— wearing old clothes leads to poverty and failures;

— it's unfortunate to be sad and cry.

Signs of the old New Year

The signs of this day are closely related to the weather and the financial situation in the coming year. Thus, it is believed that severe frost and snowfall on January 14 portends a good harvest in summer, and a thaw promises a warm and early spring.

Other signs:

— warm weather during the holidays — for a good summer;

— a rich feast is for well—being;

— hoarfrost on the trees — for a good harvest;

— putting on new clothes is good luck;

— throwing away broken dishes is good luck and prosperity;

— a man is the first to cross the threshold — to well-being.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the history, traditions, signs and prohibitions of the Nativity of Christ.