'For the Sake of Auld Lang Syne'
First of all, I would like to wish everyone I know and everyone that reads my blog a very Happy New Year. My statistics show that I have people all over the world that read my blog, which I am thrilled at. Your support gives me the encouragement to keep writing, and for that I am truly grateful.
So, today I woke up and wondered about the meaning of New Year and it's traditions in countries around the world. I recently learned of a tradition in Kefalonia at New Year that fascinated me, as it sounded so obscure. In Argostoli on New Year's Eve, the locals bid farwell to the old year by walking the streets spraying one another with perfume. This a tradition that dates back to the Venetian occupancy and is still carried on today. They also wish each other “Kali Apokopi" this means, Happy Breakaway (from the old year). Others will walk into the countryside and pick up a 'Father Christmas' plant, known as askinokara, it is then hung on the front door to protect the house and family and bring them good luck and health. Also locals may break open a pomegranate outside their house and the number of seeds will symbolize the number of good wishes for the family!
In other countries, there are also New Year's traditions. The most famous is undoubtedly the iconic 'ball drop' in Times Square, New York. Here is a.video showing that very moment this year!
Other countries have more quirky traditions! Did you know that in Rio De Janeiro, New Years Eve sees its crowds wearing white and flocking to the infamous Copacabana beach to offer gifts and white flowers to 'Yemanja', the Afro-Brazilian queen of the sea. They do this to seek energy and strength from the goddess. They throw their gifts into the sea hoping that she will grant their new year wishes when the objects find their way to her.
In Spain this year, the local Grocer or 'tendero' will struggle to keep up with demand for grapes. As the clock strikes midnight, thousands of Spaniards will eat 12 white grapes, one for each month of the year, known as the 12 grapes of luck, this tradition dates back to around 1895. The grapes are eaten on each stroke of the bell at midnight and many believe it will lead them to a year of prosperity, and some regions think that it wards off witches and evil. The 12 grapes are linked to the Puerta Del Sol clock tower in Madrid, from where the change of year is broadcast. Other Spanish speaking countries such as the Dominican Republic also adopt the tradition.
In Russia, the New Year's celebrations are more dominant than Christmas. They chose to celebrate with a New Years tree, with their Santa 'Ded Moroz' and his granddaughter 'Snegurochka' visit the crowds on New Years Eve and leave presents for the children to open on New Year's Day. The tree pictured below can be seen in the Red Square, Moscow. The Russians welcome in the New Year by proclaiming “S Novim Godom!”
In Ecquador, their New Years Eve tradition is to burn a scarecrow. The scarecrow represents all things negative. The burning, therefore, symbolizes getting rid of the bad and starting again with the new. Closer to home, they have a tradition in Ireland of banging bread against the walls and doors of houses. This again represents chasing away untoward spirits and inviting new ones in. There is a common theme here isn't there - out with the old in with the new!
However you celebrated seeing in the New Year, I hope its prosperous and healthy for you. Please feel free to comment and share any traditions you know of or any different ways you saw in the New Year.
So, today I woke up and wondered about the meaning of New Year and it's traditions in countries around the world. I recently learned of a tradition in Kefalonia at New Year that fascinated me, as it sounded so obscure. In Argostoli on New Year's Eve, the locals bid farwell to the old year by walking the streets spraying one another with perfume. This a tradition that dates back to the Venetian occupancy and is still carried on today. They also wish each other “Kali Apokopi" this means, Happy Breakaway (from the old year). Others will walk into the countryside and pick up a 'Father Christmas' plant, known as askinokara, it is then hung on the front door to protect the house and family and bring them good luck and health. Also locals may break open a pomegranate outside their house and the number of seeds will symbolize the number of good wishes for the family!
In other countries, there are also New Year's traditions. The most famous is undoubtedly the iconic 'ball drop' in Times Square, New York. Here is a.video showing that very moment this year!
Other countries have more quirky traditions! Did you know that in Rio De Janeiro, New Years Eve sees its crowds wearing white and flocking to the infamous Copacabana beach to offer gifts and white flowers to 'Yemanja', the Afro-Brazilian queen of the sea. They do this to seek energy and strength from the goddess. They throw their gifts into the sea hoping that she will grant their new year wishes when the objects find their way to her.
In Spain this year, the local Grocer or 'tendero' will struggle to keep up with demand for grapes. As the clock strikes midnight, thousands of Spaniards will eat 12 white grapes, one for each month of the year, known as the 12 grapes of luck, this tradition dates back to around 1895. The grapes are eaten on each stroke of the bell at midnight and many believe it will lead them to a year of prosperity, and some regions think that it wards off witches and evil. The 12 grapes are linked to the Puerta Del Sol clock tower in Madrid, from where the change of year is broadcast. Other Spanish speaking countries such as the Dominican Republic also adopt the tradition.
In Russia, the New Year's celebrations are more dominant than Christmas. They chose to celebrate with a New Years tree, with their Santa 'Ded Moroz' and his granddaughter 'Snegurochka' visit the crowds on New Years Eve and leave presents for the children to open on New Year's Day. The tree pictured below can be seen in the Red Square, Moscow. The Russians welcome in the New Year by proclaiming “S Novim Godom!”
In Ecquador, their New Years Eve tradition is to burn a scarecrow. The scarecrow represents all things negative. The burning, therefore, symbolizes getting rid of the bad and starting again with the new. Closer to home, they have a tradition in Ireland of banging bread against the walls and doors of houses. This again represents chasing away untoward spirits and inviting new ones in. There is a common theme here isn't there - out with the old in with the new!
However you celebrated seeing in the New Year, I hope its prosperous and healthy for you. Please feel free to comment and share any traditions you know of or any different ways you saw in the New Year.
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