Hogmanay - A Scottish New Year's Eve Tradition |
A guid New Year to ane an` a` and mony may ye see! Hogmanay, pronounced "hog-muh-NAY - with the main stress on the last syllable - there are many theories about the derivation of the word "Hogmanay". The Scandinavian word for the feast preceding Yule was "Hoggo-nott" while the Flemish words (many have come into Scots) "hoog min dag" means "great love day". Hogmanay could also be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon, Haleg monath, Holy Month, or the Gaelic, oge maidne, new morning. But the most likely source seems to be the French. "Homme est né" or "Man is born" while in France the last day of the year when gifts were exchanged was "aguillaneuf" while in Normandy presents given at that time were "hoguignetes". Take your pick! Traditionally, the Scots were a superstitious race at the best of times and for an event as significant as the dawning of a new year, customs, rituals and traditions inevitably arose around the country. Many of these have now disappeared but others have carried on down through the years and some have even become essential ingredients of today's celebrations.
What is the symbolism of fire at Hogmanay?
Cleaning
the House Pieces from a Rowan tree would be placed above a door to bring luck. In the house would be placed a piece of mistletoe, not for kissing under like at Christmas, but to prevent illness to the householders. Pieces of holly would be placed to keep out mischievous fairies and pieces of hazel and yew, which were thought to have magical powers and would protect the house and the people who lived in it. Juniper would be burnt throughout the house, then all the doors of the home would be opened to bring in fresh air. The house was then considered ready to bring in the New Year. Debts would be paid by New Year's Eve because it was considered bad luck to see in a new year with a debt. What is First Footing? Traditionally,
it has been held that your new year will be a prosperous one if,
at the strike
"Handselling" was the custom of gift giving on the first Monday of the New Year but this has died out. Immediately after midnight it is traditional to sing Robert Burns' "For Auld Lang Syne". It was written in old Scots, the language commonly spoken in Scotland until 1707 when Scotland's Parliament dissolved itself and was merged with England. Burns claimed it was based on an earlier fragment, and certainly the tune was in print over 80 years before he published his version in 1788... Should
auld acquaintance be forgot, Torch
and Bonfire Ceremonies In the town of Burghead, Moray, an ancient tradition called "burning the clavie" takes place each year on January 11. The clavie is a big bonfire, fueled primarily by split casks. One of these is joined back together with a big nail, filled with flammable material, and lit on fire. Flaming, it's carried around the village and up to a Roman altar known to residents as the Douro. The bonfire is built around the clavie. When the burnt clavie crumbles, the locals each grab a lit piece to kindle a fire in their own hearth.
In Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, the locals make giant balls of
tar, paper and chicken wire. These are attached to several feet
of chain or wire, and then set on fire. A designated "swinger"
whirls the ball around his head and walks through the village
streets to the local harbor. At the end of the festival, any balls
still on fire are cast into the water. This is quite an impressive
sight in the dark! New year resolutions hark bark to the notion at the core of many Hogmanay traditions of old: making a new start. After a particularly heavy night's partying, a common resolution made by many is 'never again'. But of course, if there one Hogmanay tradition that's never likely to fade it's that most resolutions rarely last beyond the end of January so don't feel too bad if you fall by the wayside. In conclusion... An integral part of the Hogmanay partying, which continues very much today, is to welcome friends and strangers, with warm hospitality and of course a kiss to wish everyone a Guid New Year. The underlying belief is to clear out the vestiges of the old year, have a clean break and welcome in a young, New Year on a happy note.
Sources: http://www.rampantscotland.com/know/blknow12.htm http://www.visitscotland.com/library/hogmanaytraditions http://www.aboutaberdeen.com/hogmanaycustoms.php http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yulethelongestnight/p/Hogmanay.htm |
What
are the origins of Hogmanay?
of midnight, a "tall, dark stranger" appears at your
door with a lump of coal for the fire (to ensure that the house
would be warm and safe), shortbread or black bun (a type of fruit
cake) to symbolize that the household would never go hungry, or
a coin (symbolizing a blessing of prosperity in the coming year).
These were symbolic gifts to 'handsel' the house. In exchange,
you offered him food, wine or a wee dram of whisky, or the traditional
Het Pint, which is a combination of ale, nutmeg and whisky. It's
been suggested that the fear associated with blond strangers arose
from the memory of blond-haired Viking’s raping and pillaging
Scotland circa 4th to 12th centuries. Redheads are also considered
very unlucky. 
What's
more likely to happen these days is that groups of friends or
family get together and do a tour of each other’s houses.
Each year, a household takes it in turn to provide a meal for
the group. In many parts of Scotland gifts are exchanged after
the turn of midnight. 
given
some bannocks - fruit buns - for their sack before moving on to
the next house. 
And
it is worth remembering that January 2nd is a holiday in Scotland
as well as the first day of the year - to give us all time to
recover from a week of merry-making and celebration, all part
of Scotland's fascinating cultural legacy of ancient customs and
traditions surrounding the pagan festival of Hogmanay. 