That the Greeks smash the New Year against the wall. How is New Year celebrated in Greece? Scotland

New Year in Greece it is a big and important holiday. The first day of the calendar year is always associated with good wishes, with hopes and expectation of new happiness, good luck and new beginnings next year.

New Year in Greece is not celebrated as widely as Christmas, which precedes the New Year and is celebrated on the night of December 25th. This day has special role in the life of the Greeks, it is associated with national traditions and with a great religious holiday.

We should note that for the Greeks, Father Frost or Santa Claus is St. Basil, so many Greek New Year traditions are associated with the personality of Basil the Great.

Saint Basil of Caesarea

Basil of Caesarea ( Βασίλειος Καισαρείας ) was a native of Asia Minor, grew up in a family of pious parents. He was well educated, studied at the schools of Constantinople and Athens, was a preacher of Christianity, healed with prayers. When he was Bishop of Caesarea, the inhabitants recalled with great gratitude how he defended the poor and orphans: he built homes for the elderly, created shelters, distributed clothes and fed for free.

For these merits, Basil was named the Great and became the heavenly patron of the Greek people. In 379, on January 1, Basil the Great died, he is still in the memory of the Greeks, and "Protochronia" (the first day of the new year) is the day of memory of St. Basil.

Greek New Year Traditions

Pomegranate: on New Year's morning, the family goes to church for the divine liturgy in memory of Basil the Great, carrying a pomegranate with them for consecration. Upon returning, entering the house, the owner throws the pomegranate with force on the floor so that more seeds fall out of it, while saying: “health, happiness, joy in the New Year, how many seeds a pomegranate has, so many pounds will bring.” The brighter the grains and the more they fall out of the pomegranate, the more happy days there will be in the New Year.

lucky leg: for the Greeks, it is important who will be the first person to enter the house after midnight, luck in the New Year depends on this. As a rule, the Greeks prefer it to be Small child, because children are innocent and there is no malice and envy in their hearts.

Vasilopita: on the festive New Year's table, the main place is occupied by vasilopita - a pie in honor of St. Basil. The hostesses prepare it on New Year's Eve and always put a fluri coin there, which, according to tradition, will bring good luck to whoever gets this piece of vasilopita. The head of the family solemnly cuts the basilopita - the first piece to Christ, next to the house, and then to each member of the family (by seniority).

Playing cards and others gambling : exactly at new year's eve luck in the form of a win accompanies the players. Therefore, many Greeks want to try their luck in the hope that the New Year will bring good luck in the game.

Christmas bow: this is wild plant, which looks like a big onion, it is peculiar to it after cutting for a long time is without land (soil) and without water. The Greeks believe that this is a big life force while wanting to possess it. The plant is hung in the house or on the other side of the door so that it attracts strength and health.

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Not everyone knows how the New Year is celebrated in Greece - one of the most beloved and significant holidays of all peoples of the world. Most tourists visit Greece in spring or summer, so the culture and life of the Greek people are well known to travel lovers. But it is quite possible to assume that, as in Russia, in Greece the New Year is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1.

For local residents is a family holiday with special traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. The Greeks begin to prepare for it in advance.

The streets of towns and villages are decorated with bright illumination, and luminescent figures of ships can be seen in the squares. They symbolize not only the love of the Greeks for the sea, but also the hope for happiness in the coming year. People believe that these sails will bring joy and good luck to their homes. Greeks pay great attention New Year's Eve interior decoration of their homes. They decorate not only apartments, but also balconies with garlands and artificial Christmas trees. Everyone tries to make their balcony the most beautiful, so it is very difficult to come across the same design……

Before the New Year, children walk through the streets and houses. To the sounds they sing “kalanda” songs, which sound the wishes of happiness and prosperity in the coming year. In response to congratulations, children are given sweets and coins. Traditionally, before the holiday, the Greeks give each other large baskets filled with fruits and bottles of wine.

Finally, the long-awaited New Year's Eve comes, which the Greeks meet with their families or guests. The holiday begins with the fact that guests put a stone in front of the threshold of the house, the size of which depends on the wishes. If the stone is large, then the owner of the house is wished for significant wealth and prosperity.

Another Greek ritual is very symbolic and filled with deep meaning. On New Year's Eve, the head of the family goes out into the yard and smashes a pomegranate fruit against the wall of the house or the front door. The farther apart his grains scattered, the richer and happier the coming year will be for the family. One can only imagine how much effort the owner makes to carry out this ritual in order to attract as much happiness as possible into the house.

During the festive meal, the guests exchange gifts and say the warmest words to each other. The New Year's table is traditionally plentiful. From the dishes on it you will always see roasted pig with baked potatoes and sweet pie"Vasilopita" with a coin inside. According to the sign, the one who finds it will be the happiest all year. The pie is made in honor of St. Basil, whose birthday is celebrated on the first of January as widely as the New Year. This saint is deeply revered by the Greeks, he is the patron saint of all the poor. On New Year's Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope of seeing gifts from St. Basil in them in the morning.

At the festive table, you will definitely be treated to sweets and traditional gingerbread cookies soaked in honey. New Year's Eve is a time for mysticism. Observing ancient signs, the Greeks will never grind coffee or shout at this time. The celebration of the New Year is not limited to just a family celebration. Numerous cafes and restaurants offer entertainment programs that will be of interest to tourists. Greece is a country of deep and varied traditions. New Year's Eve is another opportunity to see this.

New Year traditions in different countries ah Very soon the most beautiful and long-awaited holiday will come - the New Year. Following the traditions - Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians will cook kutia so that the coming year will be rich and fruitful, they will bake cookies in the form of pets ... And what are the New Year traditions in overseas countries?

In Australia there is no snow, palm trees grow instead of Christmas trees, and Santa Claus walks along the beach in a bathing suit. But the New Year is celebrated here cheerfully. are going big companies, arrange open-air parties, launch colorful fireworks into the sky. But... after midnight everyone goes to bed.

In Austria people gather in the square in Vienna to listen to the Peace Bell. If you are lucky enough to meet a chimney sweep there on New Year's Eve and, touching him, get dirty, then do not hesitate, you will be lucky all year.

In Argentina, on the last day of the outgoing year, it is customary to throw old calendars out of the windows.

In Afghanistan, as it should Muslim country, everything is strict: men celebrate separately, women separately. Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited during this time.

in Burma New Year is celebrated in the summer (according to their calendar). People pour water on each other, but no one is offended, because it will bring good luck.

In Bulgaria the main attribute of the holiday is dogwood sticks. They need to lightly hit the person you congratulate, and before the clock strikes for the last time in the old year, the lights go out in all the houses, and everyone begins to kiss.

In Brazil people come to the beach, light candles and throw flower petals into the water. The English, in addition to the Christmas tree, decorate their homes with branches of mistletoe. And the guys, on Christmas Eve, are allowed to kiss the girl they like on the forehead without warning.

in Vietnam, on New Year's Eve, they forgive each other all insults and release carp into the river. It is believed that God sits on their backs, who then goes to heaven.

In Holland main course holiday table are donuts with raisins. At midnight, the Greeks smash a pomegranate against the wall. If its grains scatter into different sides the new year will bring good luck.

Inhabitants Ireland on New Year's Eve, the doors of their dwellings are thrown wide open. Any passer-by can enter without knocking and become a welcome guest. He will be seated in the most honorable place, fed, treated with delicious wine.

On New Year's Eve Italians they try to get rid of old things, sometimes throwing them right out of the windows.

Spaniards- people who honor family values ​​and traditions, so the New Year is celebrated only with the family at a richly laid table.

New Year in China celebrated at the end of January. On New Year's Eve, people light up a lot of red lanterns to scare away evil spirits.

In Cuba fill the glasses with water, and while the clock strikes twelve times, pour it out the window. It is believed that the coming year will be as bright and clear as water.

With the chime of the clock in Mexico begin to break clay jugs filled with New Year's gifts.

In Norway they firmly believe that if on New Year's Eve, it is satisfying to feed the animals: pour millet for birds, give oats to cattle, then the year will be bread. In Peru, it is believed that if you walk around the house with a suitcase on New Year's Eve, then in the coming year, all your plans will come true.

In Romania there is an old New Year's tradition - on New Year's Eve people dress up in goat and sheep skins, go to their neighbors, dance, and in a certain rhythm beat the ground with a whip, shouting New Year's wishes. The decoration of the holiday among Romanians is not a Christmas tree, but a branch of mistletoe.

In Sudan an unripe nut is a symbol of happiness and good luck.

In Finland unmarried girls throw a shoe over their shoulder. If he fell with his nose to the door, then in the coming year, she will get married.

In France on New Year's Eve, they throw a dry log into the oven - a symbol of family happiness and prosperity. They bake gingerbread, one of which is made “happy”, they put a bean inside.

In Scotland old year they burn - they stuff an old barrel with straw, set it on fire and roll it through the streets.

In Sweden after the last stroke of the clock, it is customary to break dishes at the neighbors' doors.

In Japan The New Year is celebrated at sunrise. With the first rays, the Japanese give each other gifts and wish everyone happiness in the coming year.

Meeting the New Year in Russia is associated with a whole host of traditions, both ancient and modern. immutable attributes new year holiday in our country are the Christmas tree, the Olivier salad, the Irony of Fate on TV, making wishes to the sound of the Kremlin chimes ...

But their New Year traditions exist in other countries of the world. Moreover, some of them may seem to Russians no less strange than our attachment to Olivier and the adventures of a drunken doctor who got lost between the two capitals to foreigners.

7. Finland. Kissel instead of Olivier

Finnish New Year traditions have not gone too far from Russian ones. In the end, the Finnish Joulupukki is perhaps the most close relative our Santa Claus among foreign New Year's wizards. But what can really surprise you on New Year's Eve in Finland is the dishes of the traditional New Year's table.

Of course, it would be strange if the Finns served Olivier. However, it is unlikely that any of the Russians will be happy if they serve rice porridge for the New Year. And the Finns rejoice, because rice porridge is the traditional New Year's dish of the inhabitants of this country. Plum jelly is served with porridge, which also does not fit in the Russian mind, not only with the New Year, but in general with any holiday.

But nothing can be done, other people's traditions should be respected.

By the way, until recently, the visit of Joulupukki for Finnish children looked quite menacing. The wizard appeared in the house with rods and asked the question: “Are there any obedient children in this house?”

But now Joulupukki had to completely abandon the rods - a strict grandfather could rattle in jail for using force against minors.

6. Cuba. water splash

In Cuba, before New Year's midnight, as in Russia, glasses are filled, but not with champagne, but ... with water.

No, it's not at all about the total sobriety of the inhabitants of the Island of Freedom. According to Cuban tradition, with the strike of the clock at midnight, one should throw the water from the glasses into open windows. This means that the old year has ended happily and the Cubans wish each other that the new year will be as clear and pure as water.

Water, by the way, is splashed out not only from glasses - especially generous ones pour it from buckets and basins, so the probability of being doused "for good luck" on New Year's Eve in Cuba is very high.

5. Bulgaria. Blind kisses

In Bulgaria, many New Year traditions are similar to Russian ones, but one of them may surprise an unprepared person, to put it mildly. Exactly at midnight on New Year's Eve, the lights go out in Bulgarian houses, and all those present ... begin to kiss. And it does not matter at all who is with whom - relatives and strangers, men with women, as well as men with men ... True, this does not last very long. After kissing “for good luck”, the hostess of the house cuts the holiday cake, and here one must also be careful - it is customary for Bulgarians to put “surprises” in it. If a branch of a rose comes across, then this is for love, if a coin, this is for wealth. And if you break a tooth - this is a visit to the dentist!

4. Scotland. Coal gift

In Scotland, on New Year's Eve, it is customary to visit each other and give gifts. There are arbitrary gifts, but there are strictly regulated ones. Visiting a Scot on New Year's Eve should come with a piece of cake, a glass of wine and ... a piece of coal. The point is not the stinginess of the Scots, although there are jokes about the frugality of this nation. Coming with such gifts, you wish the owners prosperity - a lot of food, drink and warmth.

The tradition of giving coal on New Year's Eve, obviously, will soon be mastered by Ukrainians. Only one piece is unlikely to cost here - “gift coal buckets” are expected!

3. Spain. Eat grapes, amigo!

In Spain, the New Year is considered a public holiday, and it is customary to celebrate it on the streets of cities. Before New Year's midnight, it is customary to gather at the Christmas tree in the central square of the city. You should have grapes with you. Under the beat of the clock, you need to try to have time to eat 12 grapes. Each grape represents one month of the coming year, and if you eat all 12 in the allotted time, this guarantees the fulfillment of the most cherished desire.

By the way, if you are timid and your personal life is not going well, you can also turn one Spanish tradition to your advantage. On New Year's Eve in Spain, guys and girls write their names on scraps of paper, which they then pull out like lottery tickets. This is how the pairs of "grooms" and "brides" are determined. Such "love at first sight" lasts, according to tradition, until the end of Christmas time. It's interesting that Catholic Church young people look at such fun through their fingers - “lotteries of brides and grooms” sometimes take place right at local temples.

2. Greece. Get down, pomegranate!

The Greek New Year tradition is also capable of capturing the imagination of those who are not ready for it. If at midnight the owner of the house goes out into the yard and starts throwing agricultural products at the wall, this does not mean that he has “overdone” and it is time to call the police.

According to Greek tradition, at midnight on New Year's Eve, the owner of the house should smash a pomegranate fruit against the wall. If the grains scatter all over the yard, a happy life awaits the family in the coming year.

Yes, and going to the New Year to visit the Greek, do not forget to grab a mossy stone. It should be left to the owners with the words: "Let your money be heavy, like this stone."

1. Italy. Down with the old!

When celebrating the New Year in Italy, on New Year's Eve you should stay away from houses, because it is not known what will fly out of the windows in the next second. Italians are temperamental people, but the point here is not at all a drunken rampage. According to Italian tradition, before the clock strikes midnight, old and unnecessary things should be thrown out of the house so that they remain in the outgoing year with all the hardships and troubles.

One of the most popular New Year's gifts in Italy is red lingerie. It is given to both men and women. Red color in Italians means newness. So the red shorts that Dulin tried to give Mikhalych are just a traditional Italian gift!

Based on materials: http://www.aif.ru/ny/tellings/1414193

Many of the extremely interesting and varied New Year traditions of the Greeks, which have their roots in the distant past, continue to be observed today. Most of them are to some extent related to luck, for example, such customs include the "happy foot" of the first guest, breaking a pomegranate, gambling, while other traditions are entertaining and purely festive in nature - these are New Year's parties, fireworks. Undoubtedly major role among the customs associated with the advent of the New Year, belongs to the division of vasilopita - a traditional cake baked on the first of January. This custom is strictly adhered to by the vast majority of Greek families.

Vasilopita

The traditional Greek New Year's cake is inextricably linked with the arrival of the New Year, and it can be found in all areas of Greece, of course, with some differences. Basically, these differences are related to the ingredients used to bake the pie, as well as its appearance. So, in some regions, vasilopita is more like a cake or a bun, in others it is a salty or sweet layer cake, in others, the cake is a carpet similar to Christmas bread. The decoration of the cake also varies. However, all varieties of vasilopita have common decorative elements - a cross and an inscription with a new date. Most often, vasilopita is baked in a round shape, and inside the pie there is always a baked coin - “fluri”.

In most Greek families, the traditional pie is cut directly at the advent of the New Year, however, in some regions of Greece, vasilopita is cut at lunchtime on St. Basil's Day, which falls on the first of January. In any case, the procedure for dividing the New Year's cake is the same: the head of the family baptizes the basilopita three times with a knife, and then begins to cut the cake into pieces. The first piece belongs to Christ, the second to the Mother of God, the third to St. Basil, the fourth to the house. The remaining pieces are divided among all family members according to seniority. It is believed that the family member who gets the coin will be especially lucky all next year.

carols

Carols are one of the oldest and most loved traditions in Greece. It is customary to carol on the eve of Christmas, New Year and Epiphany. From early morning, children go around the houses of their acquaintances to announce the arrival of the holiday with joyful singing. In addition to singing traditional congratulatory carols, they express their wishes to the owners of the house. Most often, carols are accompanied by playing traditional triangular bells (trigon), less often - playing other musical instruments. Award for carols and good wishes, as a rule, becomes a small amount of money and various treats. Of course, carols are a very beautiful custom, bringing special warmth to Greek homes thanks to the mellifluous children's voices.

Podariko - "happy leg" of the first guest

When we are talking about who will be the first to cross the threshold of a dwelling in the new year, most Greeks are very careful. In this regard, a few days before the holiday, many ask one of their acquaintances, who is considered especially lucky and lucky (having a “happy leg”), to visit their house on the first of January. It is believed that this visit will certainly bring luck to the family. Some families prefer to have a small child as the first visitor, because innocent children do not know envy, and there is neither malice nor envy in their hearts.

smashing a pomegranate

Pomegranate in Greece is considered a symbol of abundance, fertility and good luck. The custom of breaking a pomegranate at the arrival of the New Year is respectfully observed in many regions of the country. Returning home after the holy New Year's Liturgy, the Greeks break the pomegranate on the threshold of the house, throwing it with such force that the fruit splits and the berries scatter everywhere. Only after that the owner crosses the threshold of the house (always with his right foot), so that in the new year the family will be lucky in everything.

gambling

Among the most common and very beloved traditions of the Greek people is the custom to try your luck on New Year's Eve, expressing the hope that the New Year will bring special luck. In addition to the state lottery, which traditionally draws 10,000,000 euros on New Year's Eve, such gambling games as dice, roulette, cards are widespread: they are played in cafes, clubs and at home. As a rule, it is customary to play cards at home on New Year's Eve, while while waiting for the change of year. The sums are usually put rather symbolic in this case - the game, therefore, is friendly and does not bring grief to the losers.