A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-30-05 to 1-01-06...New Years Traditions...Past and Present

Dutchess and Aquamarine

[dutchess]

Auld Lang Syne - Traditional
Auld Lang Syne - Modern
Auld Lang Syne - For Cat People :)

A Finest Happy New Years Weekend…
History and Traditions

As we enter 2006, this weekend thread is dedicated to traditions past. Please feel free to share your traditions and memories!!!

ANCIENT NEW YEARS

The New Years celebration is the oldest of all holidays. First observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. Around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible cresent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring). The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary. The Babylonian new year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.

In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

THE CHURCH'S VIEW OF NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Although in the first centuries AD the Romans continued celebrating the new year, the early Catholic Church condemned the festivities as paganism. But as Christianity became more widespread, the early church began having its own religious observances concurrently with many of the pagan celebrations, and New Year's Day was no different. New Years is still observed as the Feast of Christ's Circumcision by some denominations. During the Middle Ages, the Church remained opposed to celebrating New Years. January 1 has been celebrated as a holiday by Western nations for only about the past 400 years.

NEW YEAR TRADITIONS

Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year's resolutions. That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonian's most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886. In that year, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers. It celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California. Although the Rose Bowl football game was first played as a part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902, it was replaced by Roman chariot races the following year. In 1916, the football game returned as the sports centerpiece of the festival.

NEW YEARS BABY

The tradition of using a baby to signify the new year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. It was their tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth. Although the early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the new year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus. The use of an image of a baby with a New Years banner as a symbolic representation of the new year was brought to early America by the Germans. They had used the effigy since the fourteenth century.

FOR LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR

Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for folks to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. Parties often last into the middle of the night after the ringing in of a new year. It was once believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man.

AULD LANG SYNE

The song, "Auld Lang Syne," playing in the background, is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days.".

NEW YEAR'S FOOD TRADITIONS

~ Eating noodles at midnight is customary at Buddhist temples in Japan.

~ A German/Pennsylvania Dutch tradition is to eat pork and sauerkraut on New Year's day for good luck.

~ It is a Cuban tradition to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. The 12 grapes signify the last twelve months of the year.

~ German folklore says that eating herring at the stroke of midnight will bring luck for the next year.

~ Eating pickled herring as the first bite of the New Year brings good luck to those of Polish descent.

~ In the southern United States, it is believed eating black eyed peas on New Year's eve will bring luck for the coming year.

~ Also from the south comes the custom of eating greens such as cabbage, collard greens, mustard greens, kale or spinach to bring money.

~ One more from the Southerners: eating cornbread will bring wealth.

~The Southern custom of eating greens can be found in other cultures as well, although the cabbage can take many forms, such as sauerkraut or even kimchee.

~ In the Philippines, it is important to have food on the table at midnight in order to insure an abundance of food in the upcoming year.

~ Boiled Cod is a New Year's Eve must in Denmark.

~ Olie Bollen a donut-like fritter is popular in Holland for New Year.

~ Black-eyed peas, fish, apples, and beets are eaten for luck at the Jewish New Year's celebration (not celebrated on Jan 1).

AN INVITATION

To all our friends at FreeRepublic. We hope you have a blessed 2006 and invite you to share a special family tradition or recollections of 2005.

As always, thank you Jim Robinson and all our FreeRepublic family for helping us keep our country moving in the RIGHT direction AND… AS ALWAYS… Our love, prayers and gratitude to our military men and women and their families.

WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST IN 2006!!!!

Happy New Year 2006!

12/28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #14

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-27-05 Military Monday on Tuesday 12-28-05 Finest Hall of Fame #14 12-29-05 The Pear Tree: Lessons in Life

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[dutchess]

[DollyCali]

There you are sweetheart! I was worried about you & knew the possibilities of what might be "going on".

Happy New Years weekend to all at the Finest! Now I can get lunch!

[dutchess]

>

Please join us as we ring in the New Year this weekend. From all of us at the Finest Wishing you a blessed 2006!

[Aquamarine]

Looks GREAT! You even remembered to update this weeks links at the bottom.

Will be back later to post the cheese ball recipe - and more food talk.

[DollyCali]

Toby & the kitties became very alert when I played the kitty version of auld land syne (and I don't think I have ever seen it spelled).. I have just pronounced it, & it would be different - atrocious speller that I am

[dutchess]

I was worried about you & knew the possibilities of what might be "going on".

LOL...you wouldn't believe!!!! Think you sent Mr. Murphey my way :o)

[DollyCali]

yesterday's sorry poster didn't do that.

:-(

didn't even put in the threads at all!!!!

looking forward to the recipes. I need to get some things done at the homestead.. good job to both of you!

[Billie]

I have been waiting and waiting for this, and gosh was it worth the wait! You two have just created the most wonderful, eye-catching, and positively perfect New Year's thread!!! Love the way you chose a different kind of look than the usual fireworks display!

I'm sorry you had formatting problems, but it sure looks beautiful now. I love it!

[dutchess]

THANKS for all your work and help in this effort!!!! LOL...my hand was shaking when I went to hit post!!! Looking forward to your cheeseball recipe!

[DollyCali]

Actually he is still here (big time).. but I understand he has some helpers(elves?) along the way.

Isn't it frustrating to have it shape up nicely along the way & when you have it set to go in the post article section & hit the preview.. GARBAGE UNLIMITED..

[dutchess]

Thanks billie. Aqua was the "artist" who put together the lovely background! I'm just so relieved to have it up and done! WHEW! John's next week will be a piece of cake! (fingers crossed :o) )

[snugs]

A UK tradition mainly in the north called first footings and it is supposed to bring luck to the household.

First footing - dark haired man (holding a lump of coal) leaves via the back door before the stoke of midnight on nigh years Eve and comes in via the front door on New Years Day.

[Aeronaut]

Good Morning Dutchess.

[snugs]

nigh = new - Murphy here as well I think LOL

[dutchess]

Isn't it frustrating to have it shape up nicely along the way & when you have it set to go in the post article section & hit the preview.. GARBAGE UNLIMITED..

No doubt. Usually I can figure it out but this time was totally perpexed. Went to bed at 1:00 totally frustrated!!! Actually started from scratch again this morning. Just glad it's done :o)

Glad the kitties liked Auld Lang Syne. Aqua found that and we HAD to include it!

[dutchess]

Hi Aeronaut. Nice to see you! Getting closer to my check ride. Studying hard for the written too! Wish you and the Mrs. a great New Years. Read how you spend it. Sounds lovely!

[Aeronaut]

Getting closer to my check ride. Studying hard for the written too!

I wish you best on both -- you'll do fine.

Happy New Year to you and yours.

[dutchess]

First footing - dark haired man (holding a lump of coal) leaves via the back door before the stoke of midnight on nigh years Eve and comes in via the front door on New Years Day.

Hmmm..sounds interesting.

Murphy here as well I think LOL

Yes...I've read all the trials and tribulations with your mums funeral. My only experience here was when my mom died suddenly last year. Here the funeral home director takes care of about EVERYTHING and I developed profound respect for them.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dad.

[Jen]

Happy New Year FRiends!!! As a Southern girl, I've always prepared black eye peas, cornbread and collard greens for New Years Day and watched parades and football on TV. But this year my son and I will be on the road to Jackson, TN where he will be a student at Union University. I hope we can find a restaurant that serves the traditional fare or else we won't be healthy or wealthy in 2006! :(

Tomorrow we are celebrating New Years Eve with a trip to the Georgia Aquarium, the world's largest aquarium which just opened in Atlanta. Hubby and I may endulge in a sip of champage and kiss at midnight if we stay up that long. Got to get up early on Sunday morning for the long drive to TN.

Blessings to you all in the new year and always!

[dutchess]

Hi Jen. Thanks for stopping in. I've NEVER had black eye peas! How do you make them? (I can use all the luck I can get) In Ohio it's pork and saurkraut (along with marinated herring which comes from my polish background)

Sounds like you have a nice New Years Eve planned and have a safe trip taking your son to college!!!