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...
Here’s a link to the original Auld Lang Syne- I like it better than the more familiar one. This one is lovely and haunting.
http://www.masonmusic.org/music20/auldlng21.mid
That doesn’t sound kosher...................
Happy New Year with pretty music ping!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Coming from a long line of Scots with our castle in John O’ Groats, I have never heard of this practice.
Too bad I am not tall dark and handsome. I do have some coal and silver ores though.
Party Barn!
Part of my family comes from the MacKenzie clan..I was fortunate to be in Edinburgh for Hogmanay when I was a young girl and have never forgotten the enchanting music, fragrances and tastes!
My ancestors were all Scots except one Irish GGrandmother. My Mother and all her Brothers and Sisters were tall and handsome or pretty. They all had black hair and blue or gray eyes.
I don’t recall any of them celebrating Mahogany tho I used to see it on the calendar and wonder what it was.
I let spell check change my spelling and ended up with Mahogany.
I knew I was wearing my kilt for a reason today.
I got a beach towel that is a kilt for Christmas. I may wear that.
Is tall ,white and loathesome close enough?
Happy New Year to you too!
Cards and letters, but no packages, can be sent to LTC Lakin at the following address, and should not mention rank: Terrence Lakin #89996, 830 Sabalu Road, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. 66027.
Happy New year, America.
Sounds like my kind of guy ;)
Thank you- that’s a definite bttt!
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