Into Light by barryjeffer
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Description
The New Years Eve celebration of Scotland is called Hogmanay. The name derives from the old Scots name for Yule gifts of the Middle Ages. The early Hogmanay celebrations were originally brought to Scotland by the invading and occupying Norse who celebrated a solstitial new year (Britain celebrated the new year on March 25, "Lady Day"). In 1600, with the Scottish application of the January 1 New year and the church's persistent suppression of the solstice celebrations, the holiday traditions moved to December 31. The most widespread Scottish custom is the practice of first-footing which starts immediately after midnight on New Year's Day. This involves being the first person (usually tall and dark haired) to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour and often involves the giving of symbolic gifts such as salt (less common today), coal, shortbread, whisky, and black bun (a fruit pudding) intended to bring different kinds of luck to the householder. Food and drink (as the gifts, and often Flies cemetery) are then given to the guests.
Traditionally Hogmanay was a day of preparation and the celebrations did not begin until after midnight i.e. into the New Year. It was like many winter festivals and really celebrated the end of winter and the return of the sun.
Comments (71)
artistheat
Terrific Image and Lighting
bluart
fantastic work
crystalknight
Mystical legend beautiful, hell of a party and one awesome image!
Trigue
Beautiful work :) and thanks for the description, very interesting !
Savage_dragon
I did not know that. Cool! ")
netsuke
Absolutely beautiful.
Shaylea
Beautiful work! "Merry Christmas"
Tholian
Excellent bit of history...
adorety Online Now!
Beautiful image. I love the light and Ruffa's make up and the hors really make this so old world mystical. Great bit of info on the New Year. Seems the whisky giving tradition still holds up :) I guess the French had to add in the Champagne ;)
brewgirlca
Thanks for this, on many levels.
ANGELFIRE999
Beautiful!