Quaint New Years Superstitions and Customs

Quaint New Years Superstitions and Customs

Yes, it’s that time of the year again. In many parts of the world at the stroke of midnight on Dec 31st people will be saying goodbye to the old year then, one minute after, with much fanfare they usher in the new.

In addition to all the festivities there are many charming superstitions indicative of the many cultures celebrating New Years. Almost always the premise behind it all is the desire to invite in Lady Luck and ward off evil and ultimately set a positive tone for the coming year.

For example; there are perfectly good reasons for all the loud noises, the cheers, church bells, firecrackers and exploding fireworks that accompanies the countdown and the subsequent ringing in the New Year. Besides allowing people to let off steam, these are deemed essential to scaring away all pesky evil spirits and thoughts. For, you see, evil spirits, demons and the Devil himself just hate loud noises. Similarly, Buddhist temples strike their gongs 108 times, in an effort to expel the 108 types of human weakness.

Here’s a strange one; some believe hanging a lemon in the doorway helps in warding off bad spirits. Hey, whatever works, right?

Some open the doors at midnight to let the old year escape unimpeded and, along with it, discard all the ill luck from the previous year, meanwhile allowing all the good to rush in on New Year’s Day. Superstitious, or perhaps pragmatist, Italians do one more; they welcome the New Year by tossing old things out of their windows. Old things are discarded in an effort to make room for the new and allow luck to enter their households and life in the coming year.

To assure good luck for the New Year some people sleep with a horseshoe under their pillow on New Year’s Eve. Good luck in finding one. You could also ensure yourself good fortune by draining the last dregs from a bottle of liquor on New Years! 

One must never leave the home before someone comes in first. The first person to enter your home after the stroke of midnight will influence the year you’re about to have. The first footer (also called the “Lucky Bird”) should knock and be let in rather than unceremoniously use a key, even if he is one of the householders. He should be ushered in with a warm welcome. First footers must not be cross-eyed, have flat feet or have eyebrows that meet in the middle. Ideally, he should be a dark-haired, tall, good-looking gentleman and it would be even better if he came bearing small gifts such as a lump of coal, a silver coin, a bit of bread, a sprig of evergreen, and some salt. Because of the Vikings blonde and redhead first footers are believed to bring bad luck into the household, especially if they are female.

After greeting those in the house and dropping off small tokens of luck he’d brought with him, he should make his way through the house and leave by a different door than the one through which he entered.

It is said by some that the first visitor to enter the house on the first of January determines the balance of power in the marriage for the next 365 days. If a man enters your door then the husband will have more authority for the whole year and if a woman enters, then the wife will have complete control.

Ladies, here’s a perfectly good excuse to purchase new clothes, for wearing these on the first day of the year promises many more to come rest of the year.

We kiss those dearest to us at the stroke of midnight not only to share a moment of celebration with our favorite people but also to ensure those affections and ties will continue throughout the next twelve months. It is a firm belief that what you do the first seconds or the subsequent hour of the New Year will be what you do rest of the year. If you happen to be alone at midnight, kissing the dog or cat should suffice. But brush their teeth first.

I hardly think this needs mentioning but here it is; fortunate are those babies that are born on the first day of the New Year for it is said that these new beings will have good luck in their entire life and, as well, bring good fortune to their family.

Many of the foods that are good to eat resemble money or have to do with moving forward. The Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year’s Day will bring good fortune; the shape of a ring is considered good luck, because it symbolizes “coming full circle,” completing a year’s cycle. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year’s Day. Other lucky foods are pork, smoked sausage, boiled cabbage or sauerkraut. Pork, because pigs root forward when they eat and we all want to move forward! Lentils, which resemble coins, should be consumed on New Year’s Day. The Italian people eat a traditional New Year dish called cotechino con lenticchie: pork sausage served over lentils. This New Year food is eaten because cotechino sausage is a symbol of abundance, rich in fat, while lentils symbolize money therefore it promises double doses of luck.

In contrast, it is advised to stay away from eating Chicken on the first day of the year lest it brings financial difficulties for the rest of the year. Darn that Chicken!

Eating black-eyed peas and greens such as cabbage, collard greens, mustard greens, kale or spinach for instance, is believed to bring good luck and financial prosperity. The peas represent good luck and the greens represent money; cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. Eating cornbread will also bring wealth.

Some families have adapted an old tradition of burying a silver or gold coin in the rice, peas or baked inside the cake to ensure a fortunate year for the finder.

Devouring great quantities of grapes particularly at this time is considered good luck. According to Spanish Tradition, twelve grapes (each symbolizing a month of the year) are eaten at midnight. If the grape is very sweet then it means that its specific month will also be sweet and pleasant. If the grape turns out sour, then one knows the month will also be sour. Here’s the fun part. Ideally the munching of these 12 grapes has to be perfectly timed with the chimes of the clock in Madrid’s “Puerta del Sol” that are transmitted live by virtually all Spanish TV and Radio networks. Also, the “Puerta del Sol” Plaza itself is packed with people that are gobbling up the grapes on the spot. There is a special grape harvest in mid-December to cater to just such a demand for New-Year’s Eve grapes. How delightful when families and groups of friends all gather to “eat the grapes” together. Immediately after the grapes are wolfed down Champagne bottles are popped (in Spain Cava is the rule, not Champagne) and kisses, hugs and good wishes are exchanged. Adding to this charming tradition it is customary to greet your close relatives and friends as soon as possible after ‘the grapes’, therefore there is tremendous haste to engage telephone lines. 

More New Year’s Do’s and Don’ts:

What a person does on this day will influence their activity for the rest of the year.

Crying on the first day of the year must be avoided as this could bring unhappiness all through the year. One must always be happy, upbeat and in good spirits when ushering in the New Year.

It is said that one must do a token amount of work on the New Year's Day. This is said to ensure advancement in one’s career. But starting a serious work project is unlucky on New Year Day.

Avoid wearing a dress with empty pockets on New Year’s Eve since it may be a sign of very low or no income in the year to come. It is best to have some cash tucked away in your pockets. Similarly, keep your purses and wallets full of money and, if possible, pay off all your debts before New Year’s Eve. Furthermore, do not lend money or other precious items on New Year’s Day as that would mean a year will be spent loaning out money.

Do not enter in the New Year with bare cupboards, lest that be the shape of things to come. Cupboards stocked with food are said to bring prosperity and luck in the New Year.

Certain tasks are not to be done between Christmas and New Year’s Day; among them are knitting and sewing. Resist the urge to load up the dishwasher, wash any dishes or do the laundry on New Year’s Day lest a member of the family be ‘washed away’ in the coming months. The dirty clothes can wait until January 2nd, for washing will bring a year of hard work.

Do not break anything on this day as it is considered a bad omen and also signals destruction in the coming year. This is especially true for a mirror, as that could be doubly bad. And this is another good reason not to do the dishes on New Year’s Day. 

No cutting hair or fingernails during the first few days. Washing hair on the first day is also not a good idea.

No sweeping if you don’t want to brush off your fortunes.

Avoid talking about death or ghosts.

In China people stay away from gifting of sharp objects, clocks, shoes, pears, umbrellas or other taboo gifts as most of these objects have inauspicious meanings such as cutting luck, separation, betrayal or death. Gifting of oranges, candies, money (in red envelopes) in even numbers is more desirable. It also makes sense to avoid using knives on the New Year’s Day. 

Remember, nothing goes out of the house on the first day of the year, absolutely nothing. Don’t so much as shake out a rug or take the empties to the recycle bin or you will be losing things during the upcoming year. If your trash needs emptying, do it before midnight or on January 2nd. If you have food or presents to take somewhere on New Year’s Day, leave them in your car trunk (where they can’t be seen) overnight or take it to their house before New Years.

And finally, the weather augur on New Year’s Day:

The direction of wind at sunrise on New Year morning prophesies about the coming year. A windless New Year’s Day indicates a dry summer whereas a decent breeze foretells a good summer rainfall. No wind means joy and prosperity throughout the year. Wind from the south foretells fine weather and prosperous times ahead while wind from the north foretells a bad year for weather. Wind blowing from the east foretells famine and natural calamities and wind from the west foretells plenty of milk and fish for all but the death of a person of great national importance. Floods will occur if the first day of the year is violently windy. 

Now that we’ve armed ourselves with some of these superstitions and myths associated with the New Year, it’s time to enjoy this Annual Event. Go ahead, party, make some noise, eat well and have a Jolly Good Happy New Year!

Happenings of last year:

Happy New Year Everyone.

We Are All Cut From the Same Cloth

We Are All Cut From the Same Cloth

Geographical regions and climate have played a major part in creating the diversity of cultural traditions in all the nations of the world.  When it comes to most basic human rituals however, the similarities are universal.  For one thing most of us work diligently to improve our circumstances and those of our children but we also reserve a small portion of our time for fun. Of course, there is a small affluent, privileged segment of humanity that does not need to fully participate with us in these forays into the realms of the gods. For them it can be attained anytime on demand. They are the leaders, the shapers and the helmsmen of our society. But we are not here to mention them; it is the ordinary folk that warrant our attention here; and the hard working majority does need its well earned respite now and then.  Never underestimate the importance of rest and fun, for it is as essential to each human being’s survival as air, water, food and shelter. It is what releases the ordinary folk from their mundane existence and allows them to live for a spell in that exalted regions where they may crawl with the beasts, soar with the angels, or turn against each other in mock battles over tribal properties.

Aside from the routine fun there are those special times that are eagerly sought. These are the holidays, the special days of the year when the ordinary is put aside and we indulge in the gift of our own humanity. Sometimes we celebrate just what it is to be a human being, have the love and comfort of our family and the closeness that gives a higher meaning to our lives. We come together at Weddings, Funerals, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter to reminisce, establish new bonds or strengthen and retie the old ones.

Then there are those times marking the end of an episode in time  or season, when we break free of the constraints we are forced to live with and allow ourselves a well earned  reprieve by loosening our inhibitions and reveling wildly in our uniqueness. Whether we call it Halloween, Carnival, or Saturnalia the mask is donned and the societal strictures are dropped. Collectively at times all non essential activity ceases and every iota of our attention is riveted to the ritual warfare represented by our sports teams. During the playoffs we are the willing recruits to particular totem groups that cheer or jeer, egging on the chosen team to its inevitable victory or defeat.

The types of break we take explore the full spectrum of our identity as human beings. As family members, as uncontrolled beasts and as members of warring social groups, every one of these activities expresses that which is uniquely human in all of us.

Fortuitously, there are countless events and concerts around the Toronto area that mark the end of summer.  Some of them being:  Busker Fest, the Chinatown festival, the FanExpo SciFi convention and, of course, the CNE.  The latter is an old tradition that has existed in Toronto since 1879 and therefore merits special attention. It was established back then to encourage the development of agriculture, manufacturing, industry, commerce and, of course, the arts. Today varied entertainment and fun are the chief requisites. This is where families and couples young and old go to celebrate end of summer in the plethora of colour, sounds, games and the ingesting of delectable and unusual food in vast quantities….Everyone enjoys a last hurrah! 

The End

The World Celebrations of Valentine's Day

 Valentine’s Day

Part: 2

The World celebrations of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is celebrated throughout the world by a vast array of countries and cultures, though not all of them follow the same traditions as the United States or Great Britain. There are regional touches to the day, in Norfolk, a person called ‘Jack’ Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets, treats and even presents for children. Even in nearby Wales Valentine’s celebrations are slightly altered: they are called Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St. Dwynwen’s Day) and are held on Jan 25 to honour St Dwynwen, the patron saint of Welsh lovers.

In France, Valentine’s Day is known as “Saint Valentin”, and in Spain, Valentine’s Day is known as “San Valentin”; both share the tradition we are familiar with, though in Catalonia it replaced by similar festivals where roses or books are given on La Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George's Day). In Portugal it is called "Dia dos Namorados" (Lover's Day).

Meanwhile in most of Latin American the "Día del Amory la Amistad" (Day of Love and Friendship) and the Amigo Secreto (Secret friend) are both celebrated on Feb 14 with the exception being Colombia, where it is celebrated instead on the third Saturday of September. The Amigo Secreto, as the name implies, involves randomly assigning to each participant a recipient for their anonymous gift. A delightful tradition, don’t you agree?  In Mexico, Costa Rico, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico people carry out "acts of appreciation" for their friends. Similarly in Guatemala this day is known as the "Día del Cariño" (Affection Day). In Brazil, because of cultural and commercial reasons mainly having to do with the proximity of the larger fete of Carnivale, February 14's Valentine's Day is not celebrated.  Instead, they celebrate Dia dos Namorados ("Lovers' Day", or "Boyfriends'/Girlfriends' Day"), which falls on June 12. It is the day before the day of Saint Anthony, known there as the Marriage Saint, when, according to tradition, many single women perform popular rituals, called simpatias, in order to find a good husband or boyfriend. On this day couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards and flower bouquets. 

American and British culture has introduced Valentines celebrations to Norway and Denmark where Valentisdag is celebrated on the 14^th of February. In Sweden, it is called Alla hjartans dag (All Hearts Day) and the day is dedicated to sending cards, giving roses or having a romantic dinner with a loved one. As is to be expected, the floral and cosmetic industries are behind the popularization of this day in Scandinavia. Finland celebrates Ystävänpäivä (Friend’s Day) and, as the name implies, this day is for more than celebrating with loved ones, it is also for recollecting all one’s good friends. Estonia shares the Finnish tradition, calling the celebration Sõbrapäev. Latvia and Lithuania recently started celebrating the day after they gained statehood and independence from the former Soviet Union in 1990 and the festivities include pasting stickers on the clothing of friends and relatives.

In Slovenia the first plants and flowers start to grow in mid-February and Valentine’s Day is celebrated as the day when the first work is done in the vineyards, fields and gardens. This practice gave rise to the saying “St. Valentine brings the keys of roots” and “Valentine, the first Saint of Spring”. Traditionally the Slovenian Day of Love was St. Gregory’s Day on March 12^th, the day on which the birds propose or marry before settling down to build their nests.

The Romanian day of love was always observed on February 24^th and is called Dragobete, named after a treasured character from folklore, the son of Baba Dochia, whose name includes the word drag or “dear” and dragoste meaning “love”. Lately many Romanians have joined with the rest of the world to celebrate on February 14^th as well and have drawn criticism from nationalist institutions and organizations, such as Noua Dreapta, that it is superficial commercial kitsch rooted in Western, not Romanian, culture.

In Greece and Greek Cyprus the day is called Ημέρα του Αγίου Βαλεντίνου or “St. Valentine’s Day”.

Egypt celebrates February 14^th as well as their indigenous holiday of the Eid el-Hob el-Masri  (Love Day) on November 4^th. Both days involve buying gifts, cards and flowers for loved ones.

Israel celebrates the Tu B’Av on the 15^th of the Hebrew calendar month of Av (late August) as a festival of love. It was a time when girls in their white dresses would go out to dance in the vineyards where the boys were waiting for them. In modern times it is a popular day to declare your love, propose marriage and give cards and flowers.

In Pakistan the Jamaat-e-Islami political party has tried to ban Valentine’s Day to no avail. Florists anticipate brisk business of the selling of flowers, particularly red roses on this day.
In Iran the Esfandegan, or Sepandarmazgan, is a time honoured custom celebrating love, friendship and The Earth. Though unrelated to Saint Valentine celebrations save for the fact they too give gifts, flowers and etc. to their beloved, it has been gradually supplanted by the catchy Western concept of Valentine’s Day. Since 2006 however, the Association of Iran’s Cultural and Natural Phenomena has been striving to reinstate Sepandarmazgan a state holiday on 17 February, therefore replacing Valentine’s Day.  Meanwhile Islamic Teachers have voiced their strong opposition to anything remotely similar to Valentine’s Celebration, as being an affront to Islamic culture. In 2011 they, with the backing of unions, enforced a ban on the production and distribution of any Valentine printing material in shops and outlets. This ban included such things as cards with heart designs, posters, gifts, flowers, red-roses, teddy bears, or any activity relating to this holiday.  Failure to observe the ban would meet with dire legal consequences.
In 2002 and later in 2008 Saudi Arabia’s religious police got the go ahead to enforce a ban on all Valentine items as well as anything with the colour red  which is offered for sale up to and including Valentine’s Day, as this day was deemed a Christian holiday. Unable to stem the popularity of the concept of celebrating love, this repression has only created an underground black market for roses, cards and wrapping paper.

In India the Western valentine celebrations seem rather timid, when compared to the long standing rituals of the Art of Love on that subcontinent.  Since ancient times there existed the custom of paying homage to the Lord of Love, Kamadeva, and following the famous treatise on lovemaking: the Kama Sutra. Around the Middle-Ages public displays of sexual affections became frowned upon and, as a result, celebrations of Kamadeva ceased to exist. In 1992 special TV and radio programs which promoted love letter competitions, as well as the availability of Valentine cards for Valentine’s Day led to a resurgence of interest that quickly caught on in India. Today the old school religious extremists, both Islamic and Hindu conservatives, deem this to be cultural contamination from the West. They have urged their followers to spurn the observance of a love day. Fearing this sort of globalization might disrupt their traditional way of life featuring arranged marriages, segregation of the female as a full-time wife and mother, and suppression of women’s rights.  Even the Leftist ideologies express opposition to Valentine’s Day as a front for Imperialism or neo-colonialism and its exploitation of working classes through commercialism by corporations. They have supported findings that prove the Valentine’s Day concept promotes and exacerbates Indian income inequality and fosters the creation of a westernized middle class backed by hegemonic capitalism, ultimately alienating the rural poor and the urban working poor both politically, socially.
In Malaysia, Islamic officials warned the people against Valentine’s Day festivities, equating it to vice crime. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the celebration of romantic love (in a country where arranged marriage is the norm) is “not suitable” for Muslims.  Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz (head of Malaysian Islamic Development Department) cited a 2005 fatwah by the top clerics of Malaysia and proclaimed that Valentine’s Day is associated with elements of Christianity and as such Malaysians “cannot get involved with another religion’s worshipping rituals.” In 2011, Jakim officials launched a nationwide campaign “Awas Jerat Valentine’s Day” (Mind the Valentine’s Day Trap), in order to prevent supposed wayward Muslims from celebrating the day on February 14. By raiding hotels where young couples met Malaysian religious authorities arrested and charged more than a hundred Muslim couples that dared to still celebrate in Shariah Court. In the West we are not used to such severe reaction to expressions of affection and love.
In South Korea the 14th of every month, not just February, pretty much marks a love-related day. From January to December there is Candle Day, Valentine's Day, White Day, Black Day, Rose Day, Kiss Day, Silver Day, Green Day, Music Day, Wine Day, Movie Day, and Hug Day. Here and in Japan, women give chocolate to men on February 14, and men give non-chocolate candy to women on March 14 (White Day). In a strange reversal on April 14 (Black Day) those who did not receive anything on the 14th of February or March go to a Korean restaurant to eat black noodles and "mourn" their single life. Koreans also celebrate Pepero Day on November 11, when young couples give each other Pepero cookies. The date '11/11' is intended to resemble the long shape of the cookie.
In 1936 Japan Morozoff Ltd. first introduced the Valentine’s Day concept in an advertisement aimed at foreigners. Later in 1953, when it began promoting the giving of heart-shaped chocolates, other Japanese confectionery companies followed suit. Then in 1958 the Isetan department store ran a "Valentine Sale”. Other campaigns during the 1960’s popularized it further. The custom that only women give chocolates to men (particularly the idea of office ladies giving chocolate to their co-workers) had its beginnings in a typo of a chocolate company executive during these early ad campaigns.
 Contrary to the western custom of giving greeting cards, candies, flowers, or taking a loved one out on a dinner date, in Japan the chief concern seems to be more about giving the right amount of chocolate to each person. It’s almost obligatory for women to give chocolates to all male co-workers, except when the day falls on a Sunday, a day off work. This is known as giri-choko, (giri meaning obligation and choko meaning chocolate). Unpopular co-workers receive only chō-giri choko (meaning cheap chocolate). This differs with honmei-choko, which is a chocolate given to a loved one. Friends, especially girls, may exchange chocolate tomo-choko from the word tomo meaning "friend".

In 1980 the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association launched a successful campaign to make March 14 a "reply day", where men are expected to reciprocate the favour of Valentine's Day chocolates, calling it White Day after the color of the chocolates being offered. Furthermore the color white was chosen because it is the color of purity, evoking "pure, sweet teen love", and because it is also the color of sugar. The initial name was "Ai ni Kotaeru White Day" (Answer Love on White Day).  At this time men are also obliged to dispense gifts that are at least two or three times more valuable than the gifts received on the Valentine's Day. Failure to comply is perceived as the man placing himself in a position of superiority without having any good excuses. Returning a present of equal value is considered as severing, or cutting off, that relationship. Presently, chocolate gift giving has expanded to include diverse items such as jewellery, accessories, clothing and lingerie.
In Taiwan it is the men who give gifts to women on the Valentine’s Day, and the women who return them on White day.
In the Philippines, Valentine's Day is called "Araw ng mga Puso" or "Hearts Day". It is usually marked by a sharp increase in the prices of flowers.
In China Modern Valentine's Day is also celebrated on February 14 of the solar calendar each year. This is when a male counterpart typically gives flowers, chocolate or both to his beloved.  The traditional Chinese celebration of Love is the Qixi Festival, celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. The Qixi Festival is a special time commemorating the day on which a legendary cow herder and weaving maid are allowed to be together.

Here’s a brief synopsis of the delightful folktale:
Once, a young boy, named Niulang (cowherd), chanced upon a beautiful girl, Zhinu (weavergirl), who was the seventh daughter of the Goddess in Heaven. Niulang, being bored in Heaven, escaped to earth in search of excitement. Zhinu and Niulang soon fell in love and so got married. They lived happily for many a year and had two wonderful children.  Their happiness was interrupted however when the Goddess of Heaven found out that Zhinu was missing and, furthermore, had married a mere mortal. Furious, she forced the fairy Zhinu to return to heaven and resume her former duty of weaving colourful clouds, a task which she’d neglected while living in bliss on earth with the mortal.
Meanwhile back on earth, Niulang was upset and missed his wife terribly since the day she’d gone missing. Taking pity on Niulang, the ox spoke up and told Niulang that if he killed the ox and put on its hide, he would be able to go up to Heaven and find his wife. Niulang, sobbing bitterly, did as he was told and he and his children arrived in Heaven and begun searching for Zhinu. The Goddess learned of this and was again infuriated. Removing her hairpin she scratched a wide river in the sky, forming the Milky Way stretching from Altair and Vega, and so permanently separating the lovers. From then on Zhinu was constrained to sit on one side of the river, mournfully weaving on her loom, while Niulang, caring for the children, watched her from afar.
Magpies in the world however took pity on them and once a year, on the seventh night of the seventh moon, they would all fly up to heaven to form a bridge over the star Deneb in the Cygnus constellation so that the lovers may be reunited, if only for a single night. What a wonderful expression of romantic love!

Where ever you are, whatever country, whatever you call it, it being all the same, I wish you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day!