Listening to the midnight bell, known as jyoya no kane (除夜の鐘 じょやのかね) is a cherished Japanese tradition. The bells ring at midnight on New Year Eve, and some people even go to temples to take part in ringing them. Most temples ring the bells 108 times, a number symbolizing destructive emotions. In Buddhism, it is said that people have 108 desires from birth, so when we listen to one bell sound, one desire disappears. By the end, we'll be clean and ready to embrace the new year.
I'm listening to the bells ringing from the nearest temple and writing this journal entry. I definitely adore the sounds because it makes me feel very calm. While listening to the sounds, I'm thinking about the history. It goes back to the Kamakura period. Since then, how many generations of Japanese people have been listening to these chimes and thinking about their year? Without them, I can say we can't have the new year.
This year has been wonderful overall, even though my family sometime faced some challenges. I believe that it's normal we have ups and downs in our lives. I'd love to show gratitude for this year as all my family members and pets are healthy and happy.
As the bells ring, I encourage you to reflect on your own year. May these chimes bring you peace, and may the coming year bring you endless happiness.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqq5LFRSeXI
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Happy New Year, Yumi! Reading your posts has been a positive part of my 2024! 💖
@Zobayda Happy New Year to you too! Thank you so much for such the compliment!!
Happy New Year 2025. In Spain, we have something similar. It is called the ‘misa del gallo’. Christians attend a religious act that symbolises spirituality and the renewal of the new year, @Zobayda and @yumiyumayume .
Happy New Year to you too, @druida ! Thank you for sharing your tradition. It sounds very interesting. I definitely check it out!!
¡Feliz año nuevo! @druida Que Dios te bendiga.