Праздник the first foot

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In Scottish, Northern English, and Manx folklore, the first-foot (Scottish Gaelic: ciad-chuairt, Manx: quaaltagh/qualtagh) is the first person to enter the home of a household on New Year’s Day and is seen as a bringer of good fortune for the coming year.^[1][2] Similar practices are also found in Greek, Vietnamese, and Georgian new year traditions.

Origin[edit]

The origins of first-footing is uncertain,^[1][3][4] although there may be a connection to the Viking Invasion of the British Isles: «This may go back to the time of Vikings when the arrival of a blond stranger at your door would be the cause of fear and alarm.»^[4]

Whenever a public ritual is suppressed many continue it at another date.^{[citation needed]} Many customs of first-footing (bringing coal, knocking on doors, group singing Auld Lang Syne to pass from the old to the new) parallel those of Samhain, the Celtic new year, for which fuel was gathered, food collected by reciting verses door-to-door, and a ritual fire lit to welcome crossing the threshold to the next world.^{[citation needed]}

«Quite a degree of transferability of customs across the period between Samhain … Christmas and New Year. Whether this represents a natural tendency to transfer celebrations that brighten the dull winter months or a concerted religious effort to dissipate or transform wholly pagan festivities remains unclear, but a combination of factors is likely.»^[5]

Britain[edit]

North of England[edit]

The tradition of first-footing and how it is conducted varies from place to place in the North of England. Generally, a tall, dark-haired male is preferred over a man with light hair or even a woman. There are regional variations about the hair colour of the first-foot, although generally they must be a male.^[6] In East Yorkshire, the first-footer should be dark-haired, but the North York Moors first-footers should be fair-haired.^[7]

Often it is expected that they will bring symbolic gifts, and be given food and drink in return by the inhabitants of the house they visit:^[1]

The first-foot doesn’t enter the house empty-handed – any first-footers who do arrive empty-handed will bring bad luck with them. Instead, the first-foot should bring a selection of gifts for the household, which can include; a silver coin; shortbread or a black bun; salt; coal; and a drink, usually whisky. They represent prosperity, food, flavour, warmth for the house, and good cheer – the whisky is used to toast the new year.^[7]

Scotland[edit]

The practice of first-footing is still common across Scotland and varies from place to place as part of Hogmanay celebrations.^[8] The luck that the first-foot brings with him will determine the luck for the household for the rest of the year.^[9]

Generally, the first-foot should be a tall red-haired male who is not already in the house when midnight strikes.^[9] In many areas, the first-foot should bring with him symbolic gifts such as coal, coins, whisky, or black buns.^[10] Food and drink will be given to the first-foot and any other guests. Often women and light or dark-haired men are considered very unlucky.^[8] In Scotland, first-footing has traditionally been more elaborate than in England, involving subsequent entertainment.^[6]

Isle of Man[edit]

On the Isle of Man the practice of first-footing has also been a long held tradition. A. W. Moore in his book Folklore of the Isle of Man described the practice:

The qualtagh (he or she) may also be the first person who enters a house on New Year’s morning. In this case it is usual to place before him or her the best fare the family can afford. It was considered fortunate if the qualtagh were a person (a man being preferred to a woman), of dark complexion, as meeting a person of light complexion at this time, especially if his or her hair is red, would be thought very unlucky.^[11]

Traditionally, young boys would visit the houses in their local area on New Year’s Day. They would recite a poem in the Manx language at every house and then a boy with dark hair was considered to be lucky for the household and he was given the best food and drink the inhabitants had to share.^[12][13]

Outside of the British Isles[edit]

In Serbian folklore, the polaznik, polažajnik, polaženik, or radovan, is the first person who visits the family on Christmas Day.^[15] Like the first-foot tradition, it is expected that the visit will ensure good luck and well-being for the household in the ensuing year. Often a man or boy is chosen in advance for the visit on Christmas morning.^[15]

There are practices similar to first-footing outside the British Isles. For example, it exists in Sweden, where having a fair-skinned, blond(e) first-foot is considered the highest blessing whereas darker persons are considered bad luck. In a similar Greek tradition called pothariko, also called podariko (from the root pod-, or ‘foot’), it is believed that the first person to enter the house on New Year’s Eve brings either good or bad luck. Many households to this day keep this tradition and specially select who first enters the house. After the first-foot, the lady of the house serves the guests with Christmas treats or gives them an amount of money to ensure that good luck will come in the new year.

A similar tradition exists in the country of Georgia, where the person is called მეკვლე mekvle (from კვალი kvali – ‘footstep’, ‘footprint’, ‘trace’).

See also[edit]

• Polažajnik in Serbian folklore
• House blessing
• Wassailing

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Recording of John Gell reciting the Manx New Year blessing
• Article about first-footing from PR Newswire
• Short video about first-footing in Northumbria (1950)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In Scottish, Northern English, and Manx folklore, the first-foot (Scottish Gaelic: ciad-chuairt, Manx: quaaltagh/qualtagh) is the first person to enter the home of a household on New Year’s Day and is seen as a bringer of good fortune for the coming year.^[1][2] Similar practices are also found in Greek, Vietnamese, and Georgian new year traditions.

Origin[edit]

The origins of first-footing is uncertain,^[1][3][4] although there may be a connection to the Viking Invasion of the British Isles: «This may go back to the time of Vikings when the arrival of a blond stranger at your door would be the cause of fear and alarm.»^[4]

Whenever a public ritual is suppressed many continue it at another date.^{[citation needed]} Many customs of first-footing (bringing coal, knocking on doors, group singing Auld Lang Syne to pass from the old to the new) parallel those of Samhain, the Celtic new year, for which fuel was gathered, food collected by reciting verses door-to-door, and a ritual fire lit to welcome crossing the threshold to the next world.^{[citation needed]}

«Quite a degree of transferability of customs across the period between Samhain … Christmas and New Year. Whether this represents a natural tendency to transfer celebrations that brighten the dull winter months or a concerted religious effort to dissipate or transform wholly pagan festivities remains unclear, but a combination of factors is likely.»^[5]

Britain[edit]

North of England[edit]

The tradition of first-footing and how it is conducted varies from place to place in the North of England. Generally, a tall, dark-haired male is preferred over a man with light hair or even a woman. There are regional variations about the hair colour of the first-foot, although generally they must be a male.^[6] In East Yorkshire, the first-footer should be dark-haired, but the North York Moors first-footers should be fair-haired.^[7]

Often it is expected that they will bring symbolic gifts, and be given food and drink in return by the inhabitants of the house they visit:^[1]

The first-foot doesn’t enter the house empty-handed – any first-footers who do arrive empty-handed will bring bad luck with them. Instead, the first-foot should bring a selection of gifts for the household, which can include; a silver coin; shortbread or a black bun; salt; coal; and a drink, usually whisky. They represent prosperity, food, flavour, warmth for the house, and good cheer – the whisky is used to toast the new year.^[7]

Scotland[edit]

The practice of first-footing is still common across Scotland and varies from place to place as part of Hogmanay celebrations.^[8] The luck that the first-foot brings with him will determine the luck for the household for the rest of the year.^[9]

Generally, the first-foot should be a tall red-haired male who is not already in the house when midnight strikes.^[9] In many areas, the first-foot should bring with him symbolic gifts such as coal, coins, whisky, or black buns.^[10] Food and drink will be given to the first-foot and any other guests. Often women and light or dark-haired men are considered very unlucky.^[8] In Scotland, first-footing has traditionally been more elaborate than in England, involving subsequent entertainment.^[6]

Isle of Man[edit]

On the Isle of Man the practice of first-footing has also been a long held tradition. A. W. Moore in his book Folklore of the Isle of Man described the practice:

The qualtagh (he or she) may also be the first person who enters a house on New Year’s morning. In this case it is usual to place before him or her the best fare the family can afford. It was considered fortunate if the qualtagh were a person (a man being preferred to a woman), of dark complexion, as meeting a person of light complexion at this time, especially if his or her hair is red, would be thought very unlucky.^[11]

Traditionally, young boys would visit the houses in their local area on New Year’s Day. They would recite a poem in the Manx language at every house and then a boy with dark hair was considered to be lucky for the household and he was given the best food and drink the inhabitants had to share.^[12][13]

Outside of the British Isles[edit]

In Serbian folklore, the polaznik, polažajnik, polaženik, or radovan, is the first person who visits the family on Christmas Day.^[15] Like the first-foot tradition, it is expected that the visit will ensure good luck and well-being for the household in the ensuing year. Often a man or boy is chosen in advance for the visit on Christmas morning.^[15]

There are practices similar to first-footing outside the British Isles. For example, it exists in Sweden, where having a fair-skinned, blond(e) first-foot is considered the highest blessing whereas darker persons are considered bad luck. In a similar Greek tradition called pothariko, also called podariko (from the root pod-, or ‘foot’), it is believed that the first person to enter the house on New Year’s Eve brings either good or bad luck. Many households to this day keep this tradition and specially select who first enters the house. After the first-foot, the lady of the house serves the guests with Christmas treats or gives them an amount of money to ensure that good luck will come in the new year.

A similar tradition exists in the country of Georgia, where the person is called მეკვლე mekvle (from კვალი kvali – ‘footstep’, ‘footprint’, ‘trace’).

See also[edit]

• Polažajnik in Serbian folklore
• House blessing
• Wassailing

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Recording of John Gell reciting the Manx New Year blessing
• Article about first-footing from PR Newswire
• Short video about first-footing in Northumbria (1950)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from First-Foot)

In Scottish, Northern English, and Manx folklore, the first-foot (Scottish Gaelic: ciad-chuairt, Manx: quaaltagh/qualtagh) is the first person to enter the home of a household on New Year’s Day and is seen as a bringer of good fortune for the coming year.^[1][2] Similar practices are also found in Greek, Vietnamese, and Georgian new year traditions.

Origin[edit]

The origins of first-footing is uncertain,^[1][3][4] although there may be a connection to the Viking Invasion of the British Isles: «This may go back to the time of Vikings when the arrival of a blond stranger at your door would be the cause of fear and alarm.»^[4]

Whenever a public ritual is suppressed many continue it at another date.^{[citation needed]} Many customs of first-footing (bringing coal, knocking on doors, group singing Auld Lang Syne to pass from the old to the new) parallel those of Samhain, the Celtic new year, for which fuel was gathered, food collected by reciting verses door-to-door, and a ritual fire lit to welcome crossing the threshold to the next world.^{[citation needed]}

«Quite a degree of transferability of customs across the period between Samhain … Christmas and New Year. Whether this represents a natural tendency to transfer celebrations that brighten the dull winter months or a concerted religious effort to dissipate or transform wholly pagan festivities remains unclear, but a combination of factors is likely.»^[5]

Britain[edit]

North of England[edit]

The tradition of first-footing and how it is conducted varies from place to place in the North of England. Generally, a tall, dark-haired male is preferred over a man with light hair or even a woman. There are regional variations about the hair colour of the first-foot, although generally they must be a male.^[6] In East Yorkshire, the first-footer should be dark-haired, but the North York Moors first-footers should be fair-haired.^[7]

Often it is expected that they will bring symbolic gifts, and be given food and drink in return by the inhabitants of the house they visit:^[1]

The first-foot doesn’t enter the house empty-handed – any first-footers who do arrive empty-handed will bring bad luck with them. Instead, the first-foot should bring a selection of gifts for the household, which can include; a silver coin; shortbread or a black bun; salt; coal; and a drink, usually whisky. They represent prosperity, food, flavour, warmth for the house, and good cheer – the whisky is used to toast the new year.^[7]

Scotland[edit]

The practice of first-footing is still common across Scotland and varies from place to place as part of Hogmanay celebrations.^[8] The luck that the first-foot brings with him will determine the luck for the household for the rest of the year.^[9]

Generally, the first-foot should be a tall red-haired male who is not already in the house when midnight strikes.^[9] In many areas, the first-foot should bring with him symbolic gifts such as coal, coins, whisky, or black buns.^[10] Food and drink will be given to the first-foot and any other guests. Often women and light or dark-haired men are considered very unlucky.^[8] In Scotland, first-footing has traditionally been more elaborate than in England, involving subsequent entertainment.^[6]

Isle of Man[edit]

On the Isle of Man the practice of first-footing has also been a long held tradition. A. W. Moore in his book Folklore of the Isle of Man described the practice:

The qualtagh (he or she) may also be the first person who enters a house on New Year’s morning. In this case it is usual to place before him or her the best fare the family can afford. It was considered fortunate if the qualtagh were a person (a man being preferred to a woman), of dark complexion, as meeting a person of light complexion at this time, especially if his or her hair is red, would be thought very unlucky.^[11]

Traditionally, young boys would visit the houses in their local area on New Year’s Day. They would recite a poem in the Manx language at every house and then a boy with dark hair was considered to be lucky for the household and he was given the best food and drink the inhabitants had to share.^[12][13]

Outside of the British Isles[edit]

In Serbian folklore, the polaznik, polažajnik, polaženik, or radovan, is the first person who visits the family on Christmas Day.^[15] Like the first-foot tradition, it is expected that the visit will ensure good luck and well-being for the household in the ensuing year. Often a man or boy is chosen in advance for the visit on Christmas morning.^[15]

There are practices similar to first-footing outside the British Isles. For example, it exists in Sweden, where having a fair-skinned, blond(e) first-foot is considered the highest blessing whereas darker persons are considered bad luck. In a similar Greek tradition called pothariko, also called podariko (from the root pod-, or ‘foot’), it is believed that the first person to enter the house on New Year’s Eve brings either good or bad luck. Many households to this day keep this tradition and specially select who first enters the house. After the first-foot, the lady of the house serves the guests with Christmas treats or gives them an amount of money to ensure that good luck will come in the new year.

A similar tradition exists in the country of Georgia, where the person is called მეკვლე mekvle (from კვალი kvali – ‘footstep’, ‘footprint’, ‘trace’).

See also[edit]

• Polažajnik in Serbian folklore
• House blessing
• Wassailing

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Recording of John Gell reciting the Manx New Year blessing
• Article about first-footing from PR Newswire
• Short video about first-footing in Northumbria (1950)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from First-Foot)

In Scottish, Northern English, and Manx folklore, the first-foot (Scottish Gaelic: ciad-chuairt, Manx: quaaltagh/qualtagh) is the first person to enter the home of a household on New Year’s Day and is seen as a bringer of good fortune for the coming year.^[1][2] Similar practices are also found in Greek, Vietnamese, and Georgian new year traditions.

Origin[edit]

The origins of first-footing is uncertain,^[1][3][4] although there may be a connection to the Viking Invasion of the British Isles: «This may go back to the time of Vikings when the arrival of a blond stranger at your door would be the cause of fear and alarm.»^[4]

Whenever a public ritual is suppressed many continue it at another date.^{[citation needed]} Many customs of first-footing (bringing coal, knocking on doors, group singing Auld Lang Syne to pass from the old to the new) parallel those of Samhain, the Celtic new year, for which fuel was gathered, food collected by reciting verses door-to-door, and a ritual fire lit to welcome crossing the threshold to the next world.^{[citation needed]}

«Quite a degree of transferability of customs across the period between Samhain … Christmas and New Year. Whether this represents a natural tendency to transfer celebrations that brighten the dull winter months or a concerted religious effort to dissipate or transform wholly pagan festivities remains unclear, but a combination of factors is likely.»^[5]

Britain[edit]

North of England[edit]

The tradition of first-footing and how it is conducted varies from place to place in the North of England. Generally, a tall, dark-haired male is preferred over a man with light hair or even a woman. There are regional variations about the hair colour of the first-foot, although generally they must be a male.^[6] In East Yorkshire, the first-footer should be dark-haired, but the North York Moors first-footers should be fair-haired.^[7]

Often it is expected that they will bring symbolic gifts, and be given food and drink in return by the inhabitants of the house they visit:^[1]

The first-foot doesn’t enter the house empty-handed – any first-footers who do arrive empty-handed will bring bad luck with them. Instead, the first-foot should bring a selection of gifts for the household, which can include; a silver coin; shortbread or a black bun; salt; coal; and a drink, usually whisky. They represent prosperity, food, flavour, warmth for the house, and good cheer – the whisky is used to toast the new year.^[7]

Scotland[edit]

The practice of first-footing is still common across Scotland and varies from place to place as part of Hogmanay celebrations.^[8] The luck that the first-foot brings with him will determine the luck for the household for the rest of the year.^[9]

Generally, the first-foot should be a tall red-haired male who is not already in the house when midnight strikes.^[9] In many areas, the first-foot should bring with him symbolic gifts such as coal, coins, whisky, or black buns.^[10] Food and drink will be given to the first-foot and any other guests. Often women and light or dark-haired men are considered very unlucky.^[8] In Scotland, first-footing has traditionally been more elaborate than in England, involving subsequent entertainment.^[6]

Isle of Man[edit]

On the Isle of Man the practice of first-footing has also been a long held tradition. A. W. Moore in his book Folklore of the Isle of Man described the practice:

The qualtagh (he or she) may also be the first person who enters a house on New Year’s morning. In this case it is usual to place before him or her the best fare the family can afford. It was considered fortunate if the qualtagh were a person (a man being preferred to a woman), of dark complexion, as meeting a person of light complexion at this time, especially if his or her hair is red, would be thought very unlucky.^[11]

Traditionally, young boys would visit the houses in their local area on New Year’s Day. They would recite a poem in the Manx language at every house and then a boy with dark hair was considered to be lucky for the household and he was given the best food and drink the inhabitants had to share.^[12][13]

Outside of the British Isles[edit]

In Serbian folklore, the polaznik, polažajnik, polaženik, or radovan, is the first person who visits the family on Christmas Day.^[15] Like the first-foot tradition, it is expected that the visit will ensure good luck and well-being for the household in the ensuing year. Often a man or boy is chosen in advance for the visit on Christmas morning.^[15]

There are practices similar to first-footing outside the British Isles. For example, it exists in Sweden, where having a fair-skinned, blond(e) first-foot is considered the highest blessing whereas darker persons are considered bad luck. In a similar Greek tradition called pothariko, also called podariko (from the root pod-, or ‘foot’), it is believed that the first person to enter the house on New Year’s Eve brings either good or bad luck. Many households to this day keep this tradition and specially select who first enters the house. After the first-foot, the lady of the house serves the guests with Christmas treats or gives them an amount of money to ensure that good luck will come in the new year.

A similar tradition exists in the country of Georgia, where the person is called მეკვლე mekvle (from კვალი kvali – ‘footstep’, ‘footprint’, ‘trace’).

See also[edit]

• Polažajnik in Serbian folklore
• House blessing
• Wassailing

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Recording of John Gell reciting the Manx New Year blessing
• Article about first-footing from PR Newswire
• Short video about first-footing in Northumbria (1950)

First Footing, или First-Foot- традиция Первой Ноги (или Стопы) — одна из древнейших традиций новогодних праздников. В Шотландии она соблюдается особенно рьяно по сравнению, к примеру, с ближайшей своей соседкой, северной Англией. И здесь очень важно, кто именно станет вашим первым гостем в Новом году…

Начну с казуса, который приключился со мной пару лет назад из-за незнания этой новогодней традиции. Зять моего мужа, чистокровный шотландец, будучи проездом в наших северных краях, заявился как-то 1 января с уже начатой бутылкой виски и шотландскими сдобными хлебцами shortbread.

Налив по глотку виски и выдав по хлебцу, он произнес шотландский заздравный тост: Сландживар! (аналог нашего Будем здоровы). Мы еще немного пообщались, и зять ушел. Вдруг муж забеспокоился и стал срочно звонить по мобильному. А я с нескрываемым удивлением смотрела на принесенную, как я полагала, нам в подарок початую бутылку виски и думала, что недаром шотландцы прослыли самой экономной нацией в мире. Каково же было мое изумление, когда зять вскоре вернулся и забрал
бутылку виски, поблагодарив при этом мужа. Я решила не задавать бестактных вопросов, но признаюсь, что была изрядно удивлена.

Уже потом я узнала, что First Footing насчитывает в Шотландии чуть не полторы тысячи лет! Считается, что удача в Новом году будет сопутствовать тем, чьим первым гостем станет молодой симпатичный мужчина с темными волосами. Явиться сей посол госпожи Удачи должен с деньгами в кармане, солью, кусочком угля и хлеба. Ну и понятное дело, с виски —  шотландской «водой жизни»!

Хлеб-соль — имеет ту же символику, что и в России или на Украине, а кусочек угля бросается в камин со словами: Да, будет всегда тепло и радость в этом доме!
Но сейчас про уголь как-то позабыли, да и камины у большинства уже электрические. Однако некая предприимчивая компания попыталась возродить эту традицию в шоколадном варианте, как вы видите на фото слева. Вполне возможно, что это начинание в будущем ожидает бешеный успех.

Шотландский Новый год, Хогмани (Hormanay), который отмечается аж целых четыре дня с 29 декабря по 1 января включительно, опирается на множество увлекательных языческих традиций, большинство из которых связаны с огнем, но сейчас не будем на это отвлекаться. Однако есть и не связанная с огнем новогодняя традиция, о которой невозможно не упомянуть в данном контексте.

Так что не спешите 1-го января в гости без специального на то приглашения, если вы не брюнет или шатен! Но сегодня нам явно повезло, что собственно и явилось причиной написания этой внеочередной заметки. Практически без предупреждения, как тут вообще принято, явились зять с внучкой. На сей раз в руках у зятя был активно разрекламированный Гаем Ричи на пару с Дэвидом Бекхэмом зерновой скотч, естественно, полный лишь на три четверти и неизменный пакетик шотландских хлебцов.
Возможно, будет некоторым преувеличением назвать нашего зятя молодым брюнетом, но то, что он обаятельный и темноволосый — это точно! Впрочем, практически все шотландцы, не зависимо от возраста, считают себя молодыми и обаятельными, что тоже необходимо знать;)
Как бы то ни было,  на сей раз я столь бурно обрадовалась нашему первому новогоднему посетителю, что он, признаться, даже опешил от неожиданности… И это несмотря на мою нелюбовь к виски Haig Club, одеколонно-синее оформление которого сразу же подавляет все мои вкусовые рецепторы. Но дело же не в этом, а в славной традиции, а потому на сей раз все остались счастливы!

Так что местные традиции и выражения желательно изучить даже туристам, чтобы не попасть впросак наподобие меня. Сланживар!

Как всегда буду рада вашим откликам в окне комментариев внизу под заметкой!

Сертифицированный тургид по северу Шотландии (HOSTGA — Highlands Of Scotland Tour Guide Association)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In Scottish, Northern English, and Manx folklore, the first-foot (Scottish Gaelic: ciad-chuairt, Manx: quaaltagh/qualtagh) is the first person to enter the home of a household on New Year’s Day and is seen as a bringer of good fortune for the coming year.^[1][2] Similar practices are also found in Greek, Vietnamese, and Georgian new year traditions.

Origin[edit]

The origins of first-footing is uncertain,^[1][3][4] although there may be a connection to the Viking Invasion of the British Isles: «This may go back to the time of Vikings when the arrival of a blond stranger at your door would be the cause of fear and alarm.»^[4]

Whenever a public ritual is suppressed many continue it at another date.^{[citation needed]} Many customs of first-footing (bringing coal, knocking on doors, group singing Auld Lang Syne to pass from the old to the new) parallel those of Samhain, the Celtic new year, for which fuel was gathered, food collected by reciting verses door-to-door, and a ritual fire lit to welcome crossing the threshold to the next world.^{[citation needed]}

«Quite a degree of transferability of customs across the period between Samhain … Christmas and New Year. Whether this represents a natural tendency to transfer celebrations that brighten the dull winter months or a concerted religious effort to dissipate or transform wholly pagan festivities remains unclear, but a combination of factors is likely.»^[5]

Britain[edit]

North of England[edit]

The tradition of first-footing and how it is conducted varies from place to place in the North of England. Generally, a tall, dark-haired male is preferred over a man with light hair or even a woman. There are regional variations about the hair colour of the first-foot, although generally they must be a male.^[6] In East Yorkshire, the first-footer should be dark-haired, but the North York Moors first-footers should be fair-haired.^[7]

Often it is expected that they will bring symbolic gifts, and be given food and drink in return by the inhabitants of the house they visit:^[1]

The first-foot doesn’t enter the house empty-handed – any first-footers who do arrive empty-handed will bring bad luck with them. Instead, the first-foot should bring a selection of gifts for the household, which can include; a silver coin; shortbread or a black bun; salt; coal; and a drink, usually whisky. They represent prosperity, food, flavour, warmth for the house, and good cheer – the whisky is used to toast the new year.^[7]

Scotland[edit]

The practice of first-footing is still common across Scotland and varies from place to place as part of Hogmanay celebrations.^[8] The luck that the first-foot brings with him will determine the luck for the household for the rest of the year.^[9]

Generally, the first-foot should be a tall red-haired male who is not already in the house when midnight strikes.^[9] In many areas, the first-foot should bring with him symbolic gifts such as coal, coins, whisky, or black buns.^[10] Food and drink will be given to the first-foot and any other guests. Often women and light or dark-haired men are considered very unlucky.^[8] In Scotland, first-footing has traditionally been more elaborate than in England, involving subsequent entertainment.^[6]

Isle of Man[edit]

On the Isle of Man the practice of first-footing has also been a long held tradition. A. W. Moore in his book Folklore of the Isle of Man described the practice:

The qualtagh (he or she) may also be the first person who enters a house on New Year’s morning. In this case it is usual to place before him or her the best fare the family can afford. It was considered fortunate if the qualtagh were a person (a man being preferred to a woman), of dark complexion, as meeting a person of light complexion at this time, especially if his or her hair is red, would be thought very unlucky.^[11]

Traditionally, young boys would visit the houses in their local area on New Year’s Day. They would recite a poem in the Manx language at every house and then a boy with dark hair was considered to be lucky for the household and he was given the best food and drink the inhabitants had to share.^[12][13]

Outside of the British Isles[edit]

In Serbian folklore, the polaznik, polažajnik, polaženik, or radovan, is the first person who visits the family on Christmas Day.^[15] Like the first-foot tradition, it is expected that the visit will ensure good luck and well-being for the household in the ensuing year. Often a man or boy is chosen in advance for the visit on Christmas morning.^[15]

There are practices similar to first-footing outside the British Isles. For example, it exists in Sweden, where having a fair-skinned, blond(e) first-foot is considered the highest blessing whereas darker persons are considered bad luck. In a similar Greek tradition called pothariko, also called podariko (from the root pod-, or ‘foot’), it is believed that the first person to enter the house on New Year’s Eve brings either good or bad luck. Many households to this day keep this tradition and specially select who first enters the house. After the first-foot, the lady of the house serves the guests with Christmas treats or gives them an amount of money to ensure that good luck will come in the new year.

A similar tradition exists in the country of Georgia, where the person is called მეკვლე mekvle (from კვალი kvali – ‘footstep’, ‘footprint’, ‘trace’).

See also[edit]

• Polažajnik in Serbian folklore
• House blessing
• Wassailing

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Recording of John Gell reciting the Manx New Year blessing
• Article about first-footing from PR Newswire
• Short video about first-footing in Northumbria (1950)

Asked by: Ms. Scarlett Dibbert Jr.

Score: 4.6/5
(73 votes)

Traditionally, the first footer should be someone who was not already in the house when midnight struck – hence the Scottish party tradition of having one guest leave just before the bells so they can knock on the door as the new year begins.

What should first footers bring?

“First footing” (or the “first foot” in the house after midnight) is still common across Scotland. To ensure good luck for the house the first foot should be a dark-haired male, and he should bring with him symbolic pieces of coal, shortbread, salt, black bun and a wee dram of whisky.

What does it mean to first-foot someone?

the first person to enter a household in the New Year. By Hogmanay tradition a dark-haired man who crosses the threshold at midnight brings good luck. verb. to enter (a house) as first-foot.

Can you first-foot yourself?

At its core, first-footing relates to the first person to enter the house after midnight on January 1. To truly be the first-foot, you can be an occupant of the house, but you can’t be in the house at the stroke of midnight.

What is the New Year tradition of the first-foot?

First-foot, or quaaltagh in Gaelic, is a custom where the first person to enter a home on New Year’s Day either brings good or bad fortune for the following year, depending on the quality of their whiskey.

28 related questions found

National First-Foot Day, on January 1, is about celebrating the New Year as per the Scottish and North England tradition of bringing good luck upon your home by being the first person to set foot inside at the beginning of the year. Did you know that similar practices of first footing are also found in many traditions including Greek and Georgian traditions? This is not just it, many more interesting things surround this festival!

The belief is that the one who will first set foot in your house cannot be someone who was inside when midnight struck. It’s OK if an occupant of the house deliberately stays outside till midnight and then enters after midnight. Therefore, to observe this holiday, people stay just outside their homes until midnight of New Year’s Eve before going in.

Британский и мэнский новогодний ритуал

В британском и мэнском фольклоре первая ступня (шотландский гэльский : ciad-chuairt, Manx : quaaltagh / qualtagh) — первый человек, входящий в дом семьи в Новый год и рассматривается как приносящий удачу в наступающем году. Подобные обычаи встречаются также в греческих и грузинских новогодних традициях.

Содержание

• 1 Происхождение
• 2 Великобритания
  • 2,1 Север Англии
  • 2,2 Шотландия
• 3 Остров Мэн
• 4 За пределами Британских островов
• 5 См. Также
• 6 Ссылки
• 7 Внешние ссылки

Происхождение

Происхождение первопроходцев неясно, хотя может быть связь с вторжением викингов на Британские острова: » Это может относиться ко временам викингов, когда появление незнакомого светловолосого человека у вашей двери было причиной страха и тревоги ».

Каждый раз, когда публичный ритуал подавляется, многие продолжают его в другое время. Многие обычаи первопричины (приносить уголь, стучать в двери, групповое пение Auld Lang Syne переходить от старого к новому) параллельны обычаям Самайна, кельтского нового года, для чего было собрано топливо, пища, собранная путем чтения стихов от двери к двери, и ритуальный огонь, зажженный, чтобы приветствовать переход порога в следующий мир.

«В значительной степени переносимость обычаев в период между Самайн… Рождество и Новый год. Является ли это естественной тенденцией к переносу праздников, украшающих унылые зимние месяцы, или согласованными религиозными усилиями по рассеиванию или преобразованию полностью языческих праздников, остается неясным, но вполне вероятно сочетание факторов ».

Британия

Север Англии

Традиция первенства и то, как она проводится, варьируются от места к месту севера Англии. Как правило, высокий темноволосый мужчина предпочитается мужчине со светлыми волосами или даже женщине. Существуют региональные различия в цвете волос первой лапы, хотя обычно они должны быть мужского пола. В Восточный Йоркшир первый нижний колонтитул должен быть темноволосым, а North York Moors первый нижний колонтитул должен быть светловолосым.

Часто это ожидается что они принесут символические подарки и получат взамен еду и питье от обитателей дома, который они посещают:

Первые не входят в дом с пустыми руками — любые первенцы, которые приходят с пустыми руками — руки принесут с собой неудачу. Вместо этого первопроходцы должны принести выбор подарков для семьи, которые могут включать; серебряная монета; песочное печенье или черная булочка; соль; уголь; и напиток, обычно виски. Они олицетворяют достаток, еду, вкус, тепло для дома и хорошее настроение — виски используют для тостов за Новый год.

Шотландия

Практика первоочередности все еще распространена в Шотландии и варьируется с места на место в рамках празднования Хогмани. Удача, которую принесет с собой первая нога, определит удачу для семьи на оставшуюся часть года.

Как правило, первой ногой должен быть высокий темноволосый мужчина, которого еще нет в доме. дом, когда пробьет полночь. Во многих областях первопроходец должен приносить с собой символические дары, такие как уголь, монеты, виски или черные булочки. Еда и напитки будут предоставлены первому и всем остальным гостям. Часто очень невезучими считаются женщины и светлые или рыжие мужчины. В Шотландии первенство традиционно было более сложным, чем в Англии, и предполагало последующие развлечения.

Остров Мэн

На острове Мэн практика первенства опора также была давней традицией. А. Мур в своей книге «Фольклор острова Мэн» описал эту практику:

Квалтаг (он или она) также может быть первым человеком, который входит в дом в новогоднее утро. В этом случае обычно предлагают ему или ей лучшую еду, которую семья может себе позволить. Считалось удачным, если квалитаг был человеком (мужчиной, а не женщиной) смуглого цвета, поскольку встреча со светлым лицом в это время, особенно если его или ее волосы рыжие, считалась бы очень неудачной.

Традиционно молодые мальчики посещали дома в своем районе на Новый год. Они читали стихотворения на мэнском языке в каждом доме, и затем мальчик с темными волосами считался счастливчиком для семьи, и ему давали лучшую еду и питье, которые только могли разделить жители.

За пределами Британских островов

В сербском фольклоре полазник, полажник, полаженик или радован — это первый человек, который посещает семью на Рождество. Ожидается, что это посещение, как и традиция первопроходцев, принесет семье удачу и благополучие в следующем году. Часто мужчину или мальчика заранее выбирают для визита в рождественское утро.

За пределами Британских островов существуют обычаи, похожие на первую ногу. Например, он существует в Швеции, где светлокожая, белокурая (е) первая ступня считается высшим благословением, а темнокожие считаются неудачей. В аналогичной греческой традиции, называемой потарико, также называемой подарико (от корня под- или «стопа»), считается, что первый человек, входящий в дом в канун Нового года приносит либо удачу, либо неудачу. Многие домочадцы и по сей день хранят эту традицию и специально выбирают, кто первым войдет в дом. После первого шага хозяйка дома угощает гостей рождественскими угощениями или дает им определенную сумму денег, чтобы гарантировать, что удача придет в новом году.

Подобная традиция существует в стране Грузия, где человека называют меквле (от квали — «шаг», «след», «след»).

См. Также

• Полажайник в сербском фольклоре
• Благословение дома
• Wassailing

Ссылки

Внешние ссылки

• Запись Джона Гелла, читающего Мэнское новогоднее благословение
• Статья о первенцах из PR Newswire
• Короткое видео о первенствах в Нортумбрии (1950)