A look at traditions in the United States and around the world
A COLUMN By Kathryn Ross
I’m not a big New Year’s resolution person. Hours after I make them, I’ve broken them. I just simply try to do better for the upcoming year. I doubt if it will be any different this year, but maybe I’ll give it a try.
Some resolutions are definitely in order. This last year has been so tumultuous. I just wish that people would settle down and not feel so hateful toward others who don’t agree with them or who have other beliefs.
Live and let live, People are entitled to have their own opinions without being judged by others, I don’t mean we can’t argue. Argument and discussion is good. Through discussion you often learn new information which can go a long way toward changing people’s opinions. It is better to talk and debate than it is to draw a line in the sand and shake a big stick.
I guess if I was to make any New Year’s resolution it would be to listen to others.
Since I’ve had an absolutely dismal holiday season, because I’ve been sick with shingles, I look like The Thing from the Fantastic Four, even scared a little boy at the optometrist yesterday, I have not been doing a lot of writing. Still, I got to wondering about New Year’s traditions, so I looked some up. I perused something called Daily Life and “The Old Farmer’s Almanac” and found the following that might be of interest –
“In the United States, we have several New Year’s Eve traditions: watching the ball drop in Times Square, sharing a kiss at midnight and singing Auld Lang Syne are just a few.
But other countries have different traditions to ring in the new year. Here are a few:
In Spain, they eat 12 grapes. Beginning with the first chime at midnight, one grape is eaten until all 12 are gone. Tradition says this guarantees a lucky year. But be sure to finish all 12. If you don’t, you will have an unlucky year.
Easily one of their most famous is first footing. According to Scottish beliefs, the first person who crosses through the threshold of your house after midnight on New Year’s Day should be a dark-haired male if you wish to have good luck in the coming year. Traditionally, these men come bearing gifts of coal, salt, shortbread, and whiskey, all of which further contribute to the idea of having good fortune.
But why dark-haired men? Well, back when Scotland was being invaded by the Vikings, the last thing you wanted to see at your doorstep was a light-haired man bearing a giant ax. So today, the opposite—a dark-haired man—symbolizes opulence and success.”
Personally, and “Outlander” fans will understand, I’ll settle for a redhead crossing my threshold.
“The Greeks believe that onions are a symbol of rebirth, so they hang the pungent vegetable on their doors to promote growth throughout the new year. Greek culture has long associated this food with development, seeing as all the odorous onion ever seemingly wants is to plant its roots and keep growing.
In Denmark, people take pride in the number of broken dishes outside their door by the end of New Year’s Eve. It’s a Danish tradition to throw china at your friends’ and neighbors’ front doors on New Year’s Eve—some say it’s a means of leaving any aggression and ill-will behind before the New Year begins.
In the Russian culture, it is New Year’s Eve tradition for folks to write their wishes down on a piece of paper, burn them with a candle, and drink the subsequent ashes in a glass of champagne.
In Turkey, it’s considered good luck to sprinkle salt on your doorstep as soon as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve to promote both peace and prosperity throughout the new year.”
New Year’s customs in Turkey: Wearing red, smashing pomegranates and oth…
Some in Latin America carry around empty suitcases for travel, and Spaniards eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midn…
I’m not sure where it originates, but I like opening the front door at midnight to welcome the new year and opening the back door to give the old year the bum’s rush.
Appropriate for us, is this old weather poem.
If New Year’s Eve the wind blows south
It betokens warmth and growth.
If west, much milk and fish in the sea.
If north, cold and storms there will be.
If east, the trees will bear much fruit.
If north east, then flee it, man and brute
Here’s hoping for a South wind, Happy New Years.
Kathryn Ross is a lifelong Wellsville journalist, writer, and community activist. She can be reached anytime, kathr_2002@yahoo.com. More on New Years’ tradition across the globe:
