Greeks used baby to represent New Year around 600 BC
as they took it as rebirth of the spirit of fertility their god of wine,
Dionysus. Early Egyptians also thought baby to be a symbol of rebirth.
Later, Christians used baby to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus. There
are many New Year traditions:
1. George Washington started the custom of 'open house', a party where
anybody could come in and enjoy on New Year's Day.
2. 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.
3. The most commonly sung song for English-speakers on New Year's eve at
midnight is, "Auld Lang Syne".
4. In Scotland, one of the New Year traditions is "first-footing." Shortly
after midnight on New Year's eve, neighbors pay visits to each other and
impart New Year's wishes. Traditionally, First foots used to bring along a
gift of coal for the fire, or shortbread. It is considered especially lucky
if a tall, dark, and handsome man is the first to enter your house after the
new year is rung in. The Edinburgh Hogmanay celebration is the largest in
the country, and consists of an all-night street party.
5. The new year is the most important holiday in Japan, and is a symbol of
renewal. In December, various Bonenkai or "forget-the-year parties" are held
to bid farewell to the problems and concerns of the past year and prepare
for a new beginning. Misunderstandings and grudges are forgiven and houses
are scrubbed. At midnight on Dec. 31, Buddhist temples strike their gongs
108 times, in a effort to expel 108 types of human weakness. New Year's day
itself is a day of joy and no work is to be done. Children receive
otoshidamas, small gifts with money inside. Sending New Year's cards is a
popular tradition—if postmarked by a certain date, the Japanese post office
guarantees delivery of all New Year's cards on Jan. 1.
6. The Spanish ritual on New Year's eve is to eat twelve grapes at midnight.
The tradition is meant to secure twelve happy months in the coming year.
7. The Dutch burn bonfires of Christmas trees on the street and launch
fireworks. The fires are meant to purge the old and welcome the new.
8. In Greece, New Year's day is also the Festival of St. Basil, one of the
founders of the Greek Orthodox Church. One of the traditional foods served
is Vassilopitta, or St Basil's cake. A silver or gold coin is baked inside
the cake. Whoever finds the coin in their piece of cake will be especially
lucky during the coming year.
9. Probably the most famous tradition in the United States is the dropping
of the New Year ball in Times Square, New York City, at 11:59 P.M. Thousands
gather to watch the ball make its one-minute descent, arriving exactly at
midnight. The tradition first began in 1907. The original ball was made of
iron and wood; the current ball is made of Waterford Crystal, weighs 1,070
pounds, and is six feet in diameter.
10. A traditional southern New Year's dish is Hoppin' John—black eyed peas
and ham hocks. An old saying goes, "Eat peas on New Year's day to have
plenty of everything the rest of the year."
11. Another American tradition is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The
Tournament of Roses parade that precedes the football game on New Year's day
is made up of elaborate and inventive floats. The first parade was held in
1886.
12. 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.
