HA P P Y N E W Y E A R There are things unmistakably attached to the New Year
Kissing under the Mistletoe The Druids considered the mistletoe a plant with miraculous properties and a protection against witchcraft. If enemies met under the mistletoe in the forest, they had to stop fighting until the next day. This is the origin of the custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it, as a sign of friendship and goodwill. Nowadays, if a couple in love kisses under the mistletoe, it is a promise to marry.
The Twelve Grapes of luck is a Spanish tradition that dates back from 1909. Some vine growers started this custom of selling huge amounts of grapes a year that they got an excellent harvest. The tradition consists of eating a grape with each bell strike at midnight on December 31 st. If you eat them all twelve up you will have a prosperous year.
Fireworks and Noisemakers The Chinese believe that if you make a lot of noise, that will keep the bad spirits away. American and French people have adopted this tradition as a way to celebrate the New Year. Everyone kisses, exchanges good luck, greetings, and toasts Champagne to the New Year.
The ball dropping Since 1907 the "ball dropping" in top Times Square in New York City is a major component of the New Year’s Eve celebration. The ball is placed on a 77 foot pole and when dropped it descends the pole's length in the last ten seconds of the year.
Auld Lang Syne At the stroke of midnight people gather in a ring, holding hands as they sing Auld Lang Syne (for the old times), a poem written in Scottish by Robert Burns in 1788. This song is well known in the English speaking world to celebrate the start of the New Year.
New Year's resolutions New Year's Eve has always been a time to look forward to the coming year. It's a time to think of the changes we want to make in our life. Most of New Year’s resolutions are made in anticipation of the new year and new beginnings. However, these resolutions are seldom fulfilled. Friends and family exchange New Year's resolutions kisses and wishes.
Red & Gold The red colour in Chinese culture means good luck. So red is just a symbol of good luck in the coming year. Golden colour is traditionally the colour used in imperial service. The golden colour symbolises wealth and also happiness. These colours are used in decorations, candle lights and shiny garlands.
What have you learnt? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day Champagne Stroke Fireworks Mistletoe Resolutions For the old times The ball dropping Good luck The 31 st of December celebration is called… The 1 st of January celebration is called… What is the most common drink to toast to the new year? 4. In Spain they eat a grape with every bell … 5. The spectacular effects of lights and explosions upon the sky are called… 6. Druids thought that this plant had miraculous properties. 7. Promises that people make on the last day of the year are called… 8. What does Auld Lang Syne mean? 9. What happens in Time Square every 31 st of December? 10. What does red colour symbolise for Chinese people?
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 1) Nowadays, if a couple in love kisses under the mistletoe, it is… a) a promise to marry b) a sign of friendship c) a sign of peace 2) The Spanish tradition of the twelve grapes of luck started when some vine growers… a) had an excellent harvest b) strike a bell on December 31 st 1895 c) had a bad harvest 3) The Chinese believe that if you make a lot of noise… a) it’s a sign of luck b) you will marry that year c) it will keep the bad spirits away 5) At the stroke of midnight people gather as they sing Auld Lang Syne… a) sitting on the ground b) in a ring with hands joined c) dressed in red 6) Most of New Year’s resolutions… a) will fulfilled b) will never fulfilled c) will rarely fulfilled 7) The golden colour symbolises. . . a) good luck b) wealth and happiness c) the coming year By maigomay 1 - a 2 - a 3 - c 4 - c 5 - b 6 - c 7 - b 4) The ball in Time Square is dropped… a) 30 seconds before the year ends b) 3 seconds before the year ends c) 10 seconds before the year ends