We celebrate the New Year on January 1 because three centuries ago, Tsar Peter I issued a decree ordering this holiday to be celebrated on December 31. It was this decree that became the reason for the emergence of many Russian traditions, customs, and signs. Spruce, for example, became the main symbol of the New Year's holiday, as was common in all European countries.
The next tsar's decree read: "... On the major thoroughfare streets noble people in front of the gates should make jewelry from the branches of juniper and pine ... and scant people - at least one tree or spruce branches should be placed on each gate ...". For the first time on this New Year's holiday all Muscovites decorated their houses with twigs of juniper, spruce and pine trees on the patterns that were decorated with the royal guest yard.
This custom was borrowed by the Russians from the Germans, who considered spruce a sacred tree, in the branches of which lives a kind "forest spirit" - a defender of justice, good and truth. Constantly green spruce personified longevity, eternal youth, courage, dignity and loyalty. Fir cones were a symbol of the fire of life, as well as the restoration of health.
Evening on the eve of the New Year was considered "generous." A plentiful celebratory table was made out by all that wanted to have in abundance. By the New Year they cooked various compotes, beers, beer, served many meat, groats and flour dishes, baked pies with a variety of fillings.
The New Year's table did not have to contain dishes from poultry, game birds or hares, because there was a belief that happiness could escape from the house. Ukrainians, Byelorussians, Russians and Moldovans were considered traditional New Year dishes pancakes and kutya. Guests were treated with nuts, sweets or figurines baked from dough in the form of domestic animals: cows, bulls, horses.
Meet the New Year was taken in a new dress and shoes (it was believed that then you will go all year in new clothes). Before the New Year, they tried to forgive all their grievances, to pay all their debts. On the eve of the holiday in the houses they washed windows and mirrors, got rid of broken dishes.
In Russia it was decided to prepare a very intricate dish for the New Year's table. It was not only costly, but it required a very high level of skill from the cook. Such was the recipe in general outline: a slice of anchovies was put in place of stones for fleshy olives, which served as a filling for the gutted lark, which was placed in a fat partridge, and that into a pheasant. The last "wrapper" of olives was a suckling pig. This work of culinary art was invented by the court chef-Frenchman and is dedicated to the beautiful Catherine II. Soon the secret of this extravagant New Year's meal was discovered by the wealthy nobleman and quickly spread it among the representatives of the nobility. Inviting guests to the roast "Empress" became very prestigious.
But now from the traditions we will pass to the rites of the New Year's holiday ...
With the celebration of the New Year there are many other, quite interesting signs. Under New Year's Eve, in severe frost, the water was frozen in a spoon. About the good health and longevity is shown by the ice in the vials, and about the disease or even death - the fovea in the center.
There is another no less interesting custom: on the night of the New Year, a part of the festive dinner, the girl put herself under a pillow. Before going to bed, she invited her husband to come and taste the food she had stored. The beloved was to come to her in a dream.
In the people for a long time there are New Year's signs. I think you can find some of them:
1. On New Year's Eve, you can not lend money, otherwise you will need them all the next year.
2. If you want good luck everywhere in the New Year, put on something new.
3. In order for the house to be well-to-do, the New Year's table must be bursting with food and drinks.
4. If on January 1 the first guest in the house is a man, the year will be happy, and if the woman - on the contrary.
5. Remember how you will celebrate the New Year, so you will live it. Try not to swear, not quarrel, do not cry and do not go to bed early on New Year's Eve.
6. In order not to bring trouble on yourself and someone from family members, do not erase on New Year's Eve.
7. If you throw garbage out of the house before the New Year, wait for trouble in the coming year, forget about well-being.
Women do not like when they are given: cheap perfume, lipstick, jewelry, cheap soap sets, blouses, pantyhose, pans, kitchen utensils and everything that reminds them of the household. An exception is pre-specified situations.
Men are not welcome to present as a gift: flowers, cufflinks, tie, a strong-smelling after shave lotion or cologne, underwear, handkerchiefs, socks.
The child will be upset if you give him: clothes (without a toy), a smart book (Encyclopedia of a schoolboy), school supplies, a souvenir that can not be played, or can only be put on a shelf.