New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world including Hogmanay, Watch Night and many others especially the Empty Suitcase Walk. Watch Night is traditionally a time to thank God for keeping his children safe throughout the year. Something many of us rarely if ever consider on New Year's Eve.
New Year’s Eve is known in Scotland as Hogmanay and nowadays is synonymous with all New Years’ Eve celebrations. The roots of Hogmanay reach back to the Vikings in the early 8th and 9th centuries as well as incorporating customs from the Gaelic celebration of Samhain and the Winter Solstice with some serious partying.
There are several superstitions and traditions that need to be followed before midnight on the 31st December: these include clearing all your debts, cleaning the house including taking out the ashes from the fire, all before "the bells" sound midnight. The underlying message here being to clear out the remains of the old year, have a clean break and welcome in a young, New Year on a happy note.
A large part of the Hogmanay party is to welcome friends and strangers hospitably with lots of kissing. "First footing" (or the "first foot" in the house after midnight) is still very common across Scotland. To ensure good luck for the new year the first foot (person to cross the threshold) should be a dark male, and he brings with him a symbolic piece of coal, shortbread, salt, black bun and a “wee dram” of whisky. The dark male bit is believed to be a throwback from when the Viking raids meant a big blonde stranger arriving on your doorstep heralded trouble, and probably not a very happy New Year!
The traditional New Year ceremony would involve people dressing up in the hides of cattle and running around the village whilst being hit by sticks. The festivities would also include the lighting of bonfires and tossing torches. Animal hide wrapped around sticks and ignited produced a smoke that was believed to be very effective in warding off evil spirits: this smoking stick was known as a Hogmanay.
Firework displays and torchlight processions which are now enjoyed throughout the world are reminders of the ancient pagan parties Samhain celebrations days of long ago.
Old Romanian folk law says bears are able to protect and heal so children have great fun dressing up as bears.
In Denmark people hope to find after midnight smashed crockery as it means good luck. If you were Danish, you might go and smash a plate on a friend's doorstep to bring good luck over the next 12 months.
In Brazil, there is a tradition to eat lentils at New Year, as these represent money - meaning good fortune for the year ahead!
In Spain people eat 12 grapes with each chime of the bell to bring good luck for the next 12 months.
In South America you see people walking around carrying an “empty suitcase” because it is believed to ensure you have a happy year ahead full of adventure and travel. That's the one for me.
Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and abundant New Year
If you are partying have fun and if you aren't, enjoy a quiet evening at home.