The document discusses the origins and traditions of Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year's celebration. It traces the roots of Hogmanay to ancient Celtic winter festivals like Samhain that celebrated the new year on November 1st. Traditions discussed include first-footing, where the first visitor of the new year brings luck; foods eaten for good fortune; and the singing of Auld Lang Syne. The banning of Christmas in 16th century Scotland by John Knox helped establish Hogmanay as the main end of year celebration.

1. The origins and
practice of
Hogmanay
Cameron Kippen
toeslayer2000@yahoo.com.au

2. Etymology
Hogmanay was first recorded in 1604 in the Elgin
Records as hagmonay (delatit to haue been
singand hagmonayis on Satirday); and again in
1692 in an entry of the Scotch Presbyterian
Eloquence, "It is ordinary among some plebeians
in the South of Scotland to go about from door To
door upon New-years Eve, crying Hagmane."
The etymology of hogmanay remains obscure and
may arise from a French, Norse or a Goidelic
(Insular Celtic) root.

3. The Festival of the
Dead
In the old Celtic calendar, New Year fell on the 1st November and
was called Samhain.
This was an unreal time, when one year turned into another. A
twilight zone where spirits of the
dead and those not yet born walked freely among the living.
It was a time of plenty as the stocks were returned from the hills
before the severe winter ahead and a great time for kinship as
the hill dwellers came to the gathering.
Remnants of the Festival of the Dead are found throughout the
Celtic and Hispanic world and last from Halloween to New Year.

4. Samhain
When Lun the Sun God was defeated by
his darker side he became the Lord of
Misrule.
Good people needed the comfort of
their own kind and protection from the
Evil forces of the dark.
Much of the sacred symbolism of
Samhain can be found in the
customs of Halloween and Hogmanay.
Lord of Misrule or the Ghost of
Christmas Past

5. The End of Christmas in
Scotland
Scotland formally broke away from the Papacy in 1560,
and the pope’s authority repudiated, the church was
reformed.
The celebration of the Mass was forbidden and all
festival days and other church holidays were abolished.
The celebration of Christmas was regarded as a "Popish
festival" and charges were brought against people for
keeping "Yule".

6. Hogmanay - the time to celebrate
new life.
John Knox banned Christmas in Scotland in
1580 and preferred Hogmanay as the time to
celebrate new life.
By 1583, Bakers who made the Yule breads
(mincemeat pies) were fined but their
punishment could be lessened if they gave the
names of their customers.
Instead many bakers made mincemeat pies
smaller and easier to hide to allow Catholics
to continue their clandestine celebrations.

7. First Footing
At New Year, many cultures believed the first
foot to cross the threshold brought the house
good fortune for the coming year.
Suspicious people refused to leave their
home until they were first footed.
"First footing" is a Celtic custom and
tradition demands the first person after the
bells to enter the house must be a sonsy
(trustworthy); a stranger of dark complexion;
and carry a luck talisman.
A person with fair complexion
brought bad luck.

8. The Talisman
Bearing gifts as a good luck charm for the year ahead is
an old Viking custom.
In Scotland this involved:
Black Bun ( a pastry covered rich current cake); and
a wassail (hot toddy) to represent food and sustenance for
the coming year.
Combined with coal to symbolized good luck and prosperity.
•

9. Arched foot
In the Isle of Man (UK) a good first
footer was a man of handsome
appearance and dark complexion
with in-steps high enough to allow a
mouse to run through.
The significance of the arched foot
remains unclear but early Christians
believed men were made in the
image of God and the Christian Foot
had a perfect arch.
Flat feet or splayed feet were considered the sign
of evil and unlucky omens

10. The Evil Foot
Functional feet were important to the early
Christians as walking was the only means to
spread the Gospel. Subsequently well formed
feet became associated with joy and
happiness.
Prior to modern medicine, illness and
deformity were regarded as a form of
demonic possession.
Flat feet are commonly seen in many disabling
musculoskeletal conditions.

11. After the Bells
The modern interpretation is after hearing the New Year
Bells , friends visit each other’s homes sharing goodwill
and treating them to intoxicating liquor.
The Celts held alcohol in very high esteem and was an
important part of ritual.
In the past first footing had practical purpose which
allowed everyone in the village to meet the New Year
with good cheer; and allow the superstitious to leave
their abode after being first footed.

12. Ner’day Dinner
In Scotland families gather on Ner’day (New Year‘s
Day) and feast like the traditional Christmas Day.
This represents the modern “gathering of the clans, ”
and certain foods are thought to bring good fortune
for the New Year. These include a thick Scotch broth:
Steak Pie; and a Clootie dumpling (a sweet fruit
pudding).
It is not uncommon in Celtic tradition to have an extra
place set at table for unexpected guests.

13. Auld Lang Syne
Auld Lang Syne is a traditional ayre given lyrics by
Robert Burns but was not traditionally sang at
Hogmanay until the 20th century after it was played at
a New Year celebration in New York.
The sentiment expressed is perfect for the occasion and
has been associated with Ner’day ever since.

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