New Year in Ukrainian
Jingle bells are ringing everywhere, shop windows are lit up with bright lights, and people are divided into two categories: those “waiting for a Christmas miracle” and those “on deadlines.”
Let’s remember the New Year’s traditions that existed and still exist. A good idea in anticipation of the New Year, see
Mankind has been celebrating the New Year for a long time. The first mention of the New Year’s celebration can be found in the 2nd millennium BC. in ancient Babylon. But on January 1, the New Year began to be celebrated in ancient Rome according to the calendar of Julius Caesar from 46 AD. is.
And when did the Christmas tree appear? The custom of decorating a tree was known even among the ancient Greeks, but it was the ancient Germans who began to decorate Christmas trees, thus honoring the spirit of the forest. The first written mention of the Christmas tree can be found in the chronicle of the city of Strasbourg from 1605, where it is described that the townspeople put a Christmas tree in their homes and decorate it with colored paper flowers, apples, and sugar. Later, through Holland, the Czech Republic, and Poland, this custom came to us.
The first Christmas trees in Poland, and thus in Galicia, began to be installed in the 19th century, adopting this custom from German evangelical immigrants. However, until this time, houses were decorated with Christmas tree branches. In this sense, it is more correct to call the holiday tree Christmas, not New Year’s, because it was installed on the eve of Christmas. Christmas trees were decorated according to fortune. Looking at European New Year decorations of extraordinary beauty and sophistication in museums, it is worth remembering that not everyone could afford such luxury. Even middle-income families decorated the Christmas tree with apples, nuts in foil, homemade decorations made of straw, eggshells, and colored paper. Balls were even made from newspapers, wrapping them in foil. And candy or gingerbread were the most desired Christmas tree decorations for children. The candles on the Christmas tree looked very festive. Special feet were made for the candles so that the Christmas tree would not catch fire.
Today, everyone celebrates the New Year the way they want: with family or friends. At home or at a loud party. Or does not celebrate at all. This, of course, is everyone’s choice. But it is worth remembering those traditions that have been preserved among Ukrainians, so as not to lose them at all.
What do most people know about the New Year today? The fact that the date of its celebration has changed several times on the territory of Ukraine. It was in the middle of January, and in the spring, and in the fall. But we are talking about the winter New Year, so let’s try to learn more about it:
Did we have Santa Claus?
It is believed that every country has its own counterpart of Santa Claus. Somewhere Santa Claus, somewhere Pere Noel, and somewhere – Mikulas. But this statement is false. After all, there was no festive grandfather in Ukraine on New Year’s, who came and gave gifts to polite children. Such a tradition existed on St. Nicholas Day, December 19, and the hero was not a fairy tale, but a real one who once lived on earth. He personified completely different ideas and was not associated with the New Year.
Also, unrelated to the holidays, there was Morozko, a gray-haired and kind grandfather who symbolizes winter.
Did we have a Christmas tree?
No, there was a sheaf of straw, which was called Didukh. He personified a common ancestor, a family, a connection between generations. But it, like the Christmas tree, was decorated, so this tradition remained unchanged.
How to decorate a Christmas tree today in the Ukrainian style?
Make honey gingerbread. Cut them into different themed shapes: like snowflakes, Christmas trees, crescent moon or stars, snowman, etc. String on threads and tie on a Christmas tree. You can pre-paint them with sugar glaze.
Walnuts and pine cones were also often used as decorations, as were fresh apples. Now they can be supplemented with candies in wrappers, colorful ribbons and flashlights.
Toys made of wood – painted with bright colors – are becoming popular again.
Celebration traditions
Many traditions have survived to this day. For example, preparing 12 dishes for the festive table, inviting guests for the next day.
In some places, young girls still tell New Year’s fortunes. Also, in part, the amazing tradition of generosity has remained.
We are generous both on the first of January and on the Old New Year.
They always celebrated, as now, with songs, a good feast, in the family circle. There were also many omens, most of which we still believe in:
Signs for the New Year
1. You can’t take out the garbage before the New Year – otherwise there will be no harmony and peace in the house.
2. Throw out old and broken things from the house – so that you don’t know the trouble in the new year.
3. Wear the most expensive jewelry and new clothes for the celebration to live in abundance.
4. During the countdown to the New Year, make your greatest wish.
5. Also, in order to live long, porridge was served at the table, and relatives and friends were sprinkled with grain, especially during giving.
6. If there is frost on the trees on the morning of January 1, there will be plenty of bread. And if there is none at all, then the year will be hungry.
7. During the New Year celebration, put at least one coin in your pocket so that you don’t need anything.
8. In the period from December 31 to the end of January 1 – do not lend or borrow anything from anyone. Otherwise, you will give all your luck and leave yourself unlucky. This applies not only to money, but also to money and even products.
9. If you meet a dog on the way home on December 31, then next year you will meet a faithful friend.
10. If the New Year’s night is clear and starry, then the coming year will be fruitful.
There was another interesting tradition, which was supported not only here, but also in other European countries. You have to sing loudly, shout and dance. Not just for fun, but to scare away evil spirits as far away from the house as possible.
