Happy Welsh New Year! Jan 13, 2025

Happy Welsh New Year!

Who says New Year"s Day has to be on January 1? In Wales, the clocks turn back—figuratively—to celebrate Hen Galan, or the "Old New Year," on January 13. As part of this tradition, Calennig, meaning "New Year"s gift" in Welsh, plays a central role, linking the celebration to customs from the Julian calendar era. Even after most of the world switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1582, some Welsh communities clung to their old ways. Traditionally, the day involves children going door-to-door, singing songs, and offering good wishes in exchange for gifts like coins, food, or sweets. A unique feature is its clove-decorated apples. These aren"t for snacking, though; they"re miniature symbols of luck and prosperity.

© Westend61 on Offset/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

Jan 13, 2018Fire-damaged forest near Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado
Jan 13, 2019On the hunt
Jan 13, 2020Welcome to California
Jan 13, 2021Strolling across the Red Lagoon
Jan 13, 2022Tasiilaq, Greenland
Jan 13, 2023Giant kelp in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Jan 13, 2024Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii
Jan 13, 2026Hen Galan

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun 27, 2020Looking for peace on the precipice
Jan 11, 2022Porcupine
Feb 23, 2018Aerial view of the Colorado River Delta in Mexico
Mar 23, 2019What happened to these clouds?
Oct 27, 2023Sligachan Old Bridge, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Sep 17, 2024Mid-Autumn Festival
Jan 7, 2020Jupiter and the Galilean moons
Dec 2, 2021Denali National Park
May 28, 2024The Monastery of Roussanou, Greece
Oct 18, 2020Sitka shines on Alaska Day
Nov 5, 2022Tigh Mor Trossachs on Loch Achray, Scotland
Oct 23, 2023Corn maze in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania
Jul 15, 2022Arrone in Umbria, Italy
May 20, 2021Happy Bee Day to you
Apr 16, 2025Anniversary of Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
Jan 26, 2020It s Republic Day in India
Apr 4, 2021A yearly sign that spring has sprung
Dec 8, 2020A fortress in the sky
Dec 22, 2018Night of the ‘Cold Moon’
Jul 20, 2025Moon Day
Sep 5, 2023Mount Segla, Senja Island, Norway
Oct 25, 2021Dyavolski Most
Sep 3, 2024Wilderness Act anniversary
Jan 31, 2025Happy International Zebra Day!
Mar 19, 2021Life carries on, rising from a ship s skeleton
May 10, 2025Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota
Dec 25, 2023Merry Christmas!
Jan 18, 2026White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Jul 9, 2020High alpine color in Colorado
Jul 28, 2025World Nature Conservation Day