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Hogmanay and first-footing
The Scottish New Year, in which the first person over the threshold after midnight is believed to set the luck of the house.
About Hogmanay and first-footing
On New Year's Eve in Scotland and northern England, people observe first-footing: the first visitor to cross the threshold after midnight brings luck for the year, and traditionally should be a tall dark-haired man bringing coal, salt, bread and whisky, and not a fair-haired or red-haired man or a woman. Houses were cleaned and debts settled before the night, as the first moments of the year were thought to shape the rest. Fire festivals mark the date, among them swinging balls of fire in Stonehaven. The preference for dark hair is often put down to Viking raids, though that is a folk explanation. The practice persists, now with the emphasis on friendship over omen.
Entries tied to it
Also part of it, and being written: Hogmanay (The Scottish new year.), Black bun (A traditional Hogmanay food.).
Written by the EveryJaadu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Hogmanay" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family, and are described as belief and practice. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.