Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

New Year's traditions old and varied

Did you know the celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays?

It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4,000 years ago. In those days the celebration lasted 11 days. However, it's doubtful anyone would want to attempt an 11-day party now.

Many traditions started by Babylonians still exist today. Such as new year resolutions. Each year we all make a resolution to do or not do something in hopes to make it a new habit. In early Babylonian times the most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

The tradition of using a baby to signify the new year was started in Greece around 600 BC. Parading a baby in a basket represented the annual birth of the god of wine.

However, early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the new year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus.

The use of an image of a baby with a New Year's banner as a symbolic representation of the new year was brought to early America by the Germans. They had used the symbol since the 14th century.

Most people have superstitions of the New Year. Some believe that what you eat or what you do for the first few minutes of the new year is what you will have good luck with all year.

Therefore we have parties with friends each year. It is a tradition to be with family or friends to guarantee you will have a pleasant new year. However, it is believed that if your visitor was tall and had dark hair you would have extreme good luck.

It is also believed that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck. The Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune.

You all know the food traditions for Americans. We all go out to buy Black-eyed peas and hog jowls. Cabbage and rice are also considered to be lucky foods.

Shooting fireworks on New Year's Eve demonstrates the old year leaving. Basically "going out with a bang". It is also to "scare away" evil spirits.

Then all windows and doors are opened to let the old year out.

All debts must be paid by New Year's and nothing should be lent out on this day either.

If you cry on new Year's Day it is believed yo will cry all year.

Children should not be spanked on New Year's Day or you will spank them all year long.

You should not wash your hair on New Year's Day because it is believed you will wash away your good luck.

You should also wear a red shirt for good luck and if you see a red bird make a wish because it brings good luck also.

It is bad luck to greet someone in their bedroom and do not use knives or scissors because you will cut off your good fortune.

So this New Year's only invite your tall dark haired friends over to eat black-eyed peas and hog jowls. Don't wash your hair, don't spank your kids, don't greet anyone in the bedroom, don't cry, don't borrow or lend anything, don't use scissors and see how your year turns out.