new year's countdown

over the next 36 or some odd hours, people worldwide will be celebrating the coming of the new year, 2007. it has been quite the year, especially with the events of yesterday in iraq. what a memory for the end of a year. i only hope the next year is a more peaceful one.


i would like to take the opportunity to thank all the readers and contributors of my blog which i started this year. your visits and input are much appreciated and i look forward to each and every comment.

i would like to wish a year of —

health,

happiness,

joy

&

prosperity

for each and everyone of you

according to this site, new year's celebrations go back to the babylonians, more than 4000 years ago who,

began the idea of New Year's resolutions as a way to start the year off with a clean slate by returning borrowed items.

the holiday spot says that on new year's eve,

[t]he idea of making deafening noise is to drive away the evil spirits who flocked to the living at this climactic season with a great wailing of horns and shouts and beating of drums. This is why at the stroke of midnight we hear the deafening cacophony of sirens, car horns, boat whistles, party horns, church bells, drums, pots and pans - anything that serves the purpose of producing a devil chasing din.

it goes on to say,

[i]t is traditionally thought that the first day of the year is symptomatic of the approaching 364 days. Accordingly, people try to spend the first day of the new year in the best possible way in the company of family and friends. It was once believed to be a good omen if a tall dark-haired man visits your house on New Year's Day. Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring good luck. In many cultures, it is a predominant belief that anything in the shape of a ring brings luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. It is primarily for this reason that the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day brings good fortune. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures. The hog, and thus its meat, is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Consuming cabbage is also considered a potential harbinger of good luck. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day.

whatever you believe, let's hope it's a good year!

as an additional note, here is one site which explains the history of new year's day celebrations and traditions. it is an interesting read.

this is another one which shows the new year around the world with sayings in several languages.

i have to add that not everyone in the world will be celebrating as is done in north america. many cultures have different traditions, beliefs and practices.

what's your tradition?