2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21
New Year and Christmas are one of the most anticipated and beloved holidays. All over the world, people decorate Christmas trees, prepare gifts and gather at a large table with their closest relatives and friends. Today we will tell you how the New Year is celebrated in Scotland. Traditions, customs and signs read below.
Hogmany
New Year in Scotland is celebrated, as in all European countries, on the night of December 31st. Here the holiday has its own name - Hogmany. Why do the Scots celebrate the New Year, while most European countries go for Christmas? The fact is that in 1651 the Church forbade the celebration of the Nativity of Christ. The people did not quite understand the essence of the holiday, and instead of revering the Savior, a drinking bout was organized. The Church did not like this, and the holiday was officially banned. Therefore, everyone loved the New Year so much. It is celebrated for a short time, only 2 days. On January 3, the Scots are already going to work.
How Hogmany is greeted
How is the main holiday of the country celebrated? The family gets together for a bigdining table. 10 minutes before the New Year, the owner of the house opens the back door. And under the chiming clock, the back door closes and the front doors open. It is believed that the old year should go away, and the new one should enter the house. But what if the apartment has only one door? In this case, they open it. People believe that the years will decide for themselves who and when should leave and who should come.
New Year in Scotland is one of the favorite family holidays. With the chimes, people sing not the national anthem, but Robert Burns' song For Auld Lang Syne. This beautiful New Year's custom is accompanied by drinking whiskey.
Tradition of the first leg
Scots are superstitious people. Therefore, they attach great importance to whoever enters the house first after the chiming clock. Since all the doors are open on New Year's Eve in Scotland, anyone has the opportunity to enter the house. All people hope that they will be visited by a young and handsome brunette. Or at least a dark haired man. If a woman, a blonde, or any person who is naturally endowed with red hair enters the house first, this is a bad sign. Some people even try to contribute to their happiness on their own. Therefore, even a tradition appeared: on New Year's Eve, the Scots do not hire Santa Claus, but a brunette who goes around the house right after midnight. It is believed that the first man who enters has the right to kiss the girl who will open the door for him. Therefore, such a prank is often arranged in Scotland: the oldest woman in the family is sent to open the door, and all household members watch howthe guest will get out of an awkward position.
Today this tradition practically does not exist, but even in the last century, everyone who entered the house of a Scot on New Year's Eve was obliged to bring coal. He threw it into the fireplace and wished the owners that the fire in their house would never go out. Today, marketers are trying to revive this custom, but since the fireplaces in most apartments are electric, people simply have nowhere to put the gift they brought. But no one refuses ordinary gifts. After all, according to tradition, the guest who came is obliged to give something to the hosts. It can be some kind of souvenir, sweet or a cash gift.
Fire
How is New Year celebrated in Scotland? The symbol of the holiday is fire. It symbolizes the coming of the New Year and the departure of the old. On New Year's Eve, the Scots arrange a festive procession with torches. They are made from wire and rags. These structures look like huge balls. Anyone can take part in this procession. People walk along the main street and then enter the harbor and throw their torches into the water.
Also, the Scots have a tradition of rolling a burning barrel down the main street. It is filled with resin and set on fire. Such a torch symbolizes the outgoing year and its rebirth in the coming year.
And, of course, the light should burn brightly in every home. People do not skimp on decorating their homes with garlands and candles. Be sure to light chandeliers and lamps, even in those rooms in which there are no people. Every year, city residents launch fireworks and fireworks. Bigsparklers enjoy popular love.
How to prepare for Hogmany
Preparation for the celebration of the New Year in Scotland begins well in advance. After all, there is so much to do. All the Scots in front of Hogmany arrange a general cleaning. It is believed that everything old and unnecessary should be thrown out of the house. New but broken things also fall under this category. All clothes are washed, and those elements of the wardrobe that have holes are carefully sewn up. The Scots believe that it is through the holes that luck and happiness can leave them. After the floors and windows are washed, and all the furniture is wiped, the decoration of the room begins. It is decorated with garlands, snowflakes and paper flags. A green beauty, a Christmas tree, is placed in the most honorable place. It is also richly decorated with toys, lanterns and tinsel.
Festive table
Any housewife prepares for Hogmany in advance. Products are purchased in two weeks. The main decoration of the table is a boiled goose or a baked turkey. The obligatory dish is stewed Brussels sprouts. Apple pies, tortillas and a cake are also prepared. It should have a round shape, and as a decor, a Scottish cross or a symbolic image of crossed arms against the backdrop of mountains is applied to it. But the pie should not be one, they are baked a lot. And all with different fillings, including meat. Of the inedible elements on the dishes, you can see heather twigs.
How is New Year celebrated in Scotland? Of course, no boozenot a single holiday is missed. Therefore, a bottle of Scotch whiskey must be on the table. But women prefer to drink punch. The same, only soft drink is served for children.
Carols
Not only in Russia there is a tradition of caroling. American children go to the neighbors for treats on Halloween, and Scottish children carol on Hogmany. On New Year's Eve, the kids dress up, gather in small groups and go around the houses of acquaintances and friends. They sing songs, read poetry and receive treats for it. Caring housewives bake cakes especially for the New Year. Moreover, they are made from oak acorns. These holiday treats are called Hogmeni.
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