Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
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Gepubliceerd op: december 29, 2006
The transition from the old to the new year is filled with superstitions and elaborate rituals. Many societies feel that what you do on New Year's Day you will do the whole year long. Some people say that if you like your work and want to continue it in the coming year, you should carry a symbol of your profession throughout the day. If you wear something new, it will help you get new things during the New Year. You should also make an effort to get up early on New Year's Day, not lend anything and avoid crying.A baby in diapers is often used as an image, symbolizing the old Germanic idea of welcoming in the New Year "child" while ushering out the "old man" of last year. At my age, I'm not thrilled with that imagery, but in the interest of even-handed journalism I'm passing it along.Money plays an important role in the celebration of the New Year. Many people make an effort to pay all their bills before the turn of the year. But remember (if you plan to follow this custom), you need to pay them off before New Year's Eve! You don't want to start the New Year laying out money; this could start a trend that might continue all year long. There's also a belief that you should keep some money in your pocket on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. And if you have children, put some money in their pockets to diversify. Hide some money outside your house on New Year's Eve, and take it back in on New Year's Day -- this may send a signal to the universe that money is meant to flow in this year.In Scotland, people believe that the first person to come into your house in the New Year will set the tone for the coming months. That person is referred to as the "first footer," and is sometimes chosen by the family in an attempt to control its own luck. In case you'd like to try out for the job, the person should be tall and dark-haired, but not flat-footed or have eyebrows that meet in the middle. This "first footer" is often also called the "lucky bird." He may bring a present to the household, but it should be something that will be used up inside the home and not taken out again single malt whiskey is always appropriate.In France, there was a time when people used New Year's Day as an excuse to pay a visit to their associates or to people with whom they hoped to be associated. Very often, the people they went out to see were not home because they were out trying to visit people with whom they hoped to associate. The result of all this visiting was a general lack of reception: Almost no one was at home. But you left your visiting card to show you had been there. Eventually people gave up leaving cards in person and began popping them in the mail. That's how our present custom of mailing New Year's cards which evolved into our custom of sending Christmas cards got started.In farm communities it was important to protect the crops and animals from evil spirits at the moment of change from the old to the new year. The most reliable technique for keeping these spirits on the move appears to be the blowing of horns combined with the banging of drums. Additional well-respected procedures include shouting, whistling, ringing bells and generally making a nuisance of yourself during those first few moments as the old year changes to the new. Making noise has often been part of the rituals associated with beginning something new. We bang on a door to have it opened; we bang on a pan to start the New Year. Many cultures believe that the food and drink of New Year's Eve will have an important influence on life during the coming year. The ancient Romans thought that a table represented a "field of fortune" that could be used to send a signal to the gods. They would cover their New Year's table with all the foods they loved sending a message of abundance for the future. A primary object for every important celebration is an attempt to reconcile opposites: death and rebirth at Easter, light during the darkest days at Christmas,d while accepting the new at a birthday party. What we eat and drink on these occasions has been carefully chosen to assist with this balancing act, and the meals on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are perfect examples of our desire to show both sides of our personalities.
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