Posted on 12/30/2010 1:04:19 PM PST by SE Mom
HOGMANAY AND FIRST FOOTING
The Scots have become renowned the world over for the manner in which they celebrate the coming of a new year. Many may say that today the Scottish Hogmanay traditions are vanishing, but there are some areas of Scotlandwhere even in these modern times, old traditions die hard!
The name "Hogmanay" is said to come from the Anglo-Saxon Haleg Monath (Holy Month), or the Gaelic oge maidne (New Morning). Whatever the origin of the name, it has remained in the conscience of the Scottish people for many centuries. Such was the importance of Hogmanay, it was once the custom in Scotland to give gifts on the first of January, and indeed until the 18th century the number of gifts given then far outshone those given at Christmas. It is only very recently that some parts of Scotland ended the practice of giving tokens to children, which themselves were called "hogmanays".
It's traditional in Scotland to go "first-footing" on Hogmanay, a wonderful excuse to go out visiting friends and partying all night. In all the traditions and customs of Hogmanay, one theme survives, that the new year must begin on a happy note, with a clean break from all that may have been bad in the old year. It is from this underlying theme that the most common of all Hogmanay traditions has its root, the new year resolution. Another but much later tradition is the singing of Auld Lang Syne, with the most popular variation written by Robert Burns in about 1793.
Certain things are essential to make your New Year go with a swing . The first person to cross the threshold at Hogmanay brings all the luck, good or bad, for the year ahead. And, to follow in tradition they have to fulfill certain criteria. He has to be male, tall, dark and handsome. He cannot be a doctor, minister or grave-digger (!) - oh, and your first footer cannot have eyebrows that meet in the middle! He must bring with him a piece of coal, and silver (used to be a sixpence). The reason for this is that the tall dark stranger brings luck into the house, the coal means warmth throughout the coming year and the silver means the household will not be short of money for that year. Being a First Footer is great because tradition dictates that the man can claim a kiss from every lady in the place !
Wishing a'body a the best...
I do like mayo on ham.
Really?! It's quite widespread -- Lollans Scots and Hielan Gaels alike celebrate Hogmanay.
Happy New Year 2011 to ALL!
Currently, here, its 0849 on 31 Dec 2010.
Happy Kickass New Year!!! Screw you, Europe! All of the badass Scots are over Here in the USA! Piss up a rope!!! cya!
*(Curious thing: same thing happened to my leather kilt belt, too...) '-}
Happy New Year STARWISE!
That sounds just like Tết in Việt Nam. I will be there for this next Tết for the first time since the war. I usually go in the summer when the air fare is normally cheaper. This year I got a deal. My friend in Khánh Hòa says I will be very busy in the wee hours of Tết because I have to go around to be the first to cross many thresholds. In 2003 I was the first foreigner to visit their town since 1973 and, as an American, am regarded as the "luckiest" person available.
Hey sionnsar, we may be ultra-low volume—in size, but not SOUND. Thanks!
8yds of Campbell (Argyll) for me. UKs are great, I own two for knocking around in.
And, no prob packing whatever you want in a UK, too...
I’ve carried as much as a 12 pack in mine. At another time I carried a dozen or more loaded AR-15 magazines.
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