New Year Traditions
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Tradition of welcoming the New Year by organizing feasts and celebrations has been carried forward since ancient times. Historians believe that New Year tradition were started by ancient Babylonians more than 4,000 years ago. Egyptians, Romans,
Celts continued it and now the present generation cherish this tradition by celebrating New Year in the most extravagant manner.
One of the most popular customs followed in New Year is making resolutions. These resolutions may range from trying to quit smoking to losing weight to doing something good for mankind. These resolutions are made with fine gusto and even if they are broken,
it is taken in good humor.
Exploding fireworks and making loud noises are another traditional custom of New Year. It is said that making loud noises scares away evil spirits lurking in corners and you can usher in the New Year with sanctity around you. Everyone does
not only enjoy fireworks but they also add zing and splendor to your celebrations. They also spread radiance and joviality around you and make the event one to be remembered.
The tradition of using a baby to signify the new year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. It was their tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that
god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth.
Although the early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the new year with a baby, which was to symbolize
the birth of the baby Jesus.
Some other popular New Year traditions are :
- At the stroke of midnight hour, kiss your spouse or life partner to ensure that romance will favor your relations for next twelve months. The failure to observe this practice means the year may be full of icy stares and cold feelings.
- George Washington started the custom of 'open house', a party where anybody could come in and enjoy on New Year's Day.
- Good Luck foods on New Year include anything in shape of a ring or full circle as a symbol of complete life cycle. Dutch ate doughnuts and pretzels for the purpose. Legumes with ham is said to bring in luck and prosperity in many parts of US. Cabbage leaves
are said to bring in paper currency while rice is also considered to be a lucky food on New Year's Day.
- Lonely people can ensure that something comes in their home at stroke of midnight by placing something in the basket just outside their door and attach a long string to it. Open the door at midnight and pull the thing over with the help of the string, without
crossing the threshold.
- Open all doors and windows before midnight so Old Year can steal away from your home easily before the New Year steps in.