|
|
|
| Current Issue |
|
|
| Resources |
|
|
|
The First Foot
| Article
# : |
19050 |
|
|
Section : |
CULTURE
|
| Issue
Date : |
1 / 1991 |
2,931 Words |
| Author
: |
Kay Shaw Nelson
Food and travel writer Kay Shaw Nelson has written for
numerous magazines and newspapers, including Gourmet, House
and Garden, Washingtonian, and the New York Times. The author
of thirteen cookbooks, she most recently published A Bonnie
Scottish Cookbook. |
Every December 31, while millions of people ring in the New Year, Scots gather at home with family and friends to celebrate Hogmanay, their traditional Old Year's Night. Once the New Year has been announced, the gathering waits in anticipation for the arrival of a portentous visitor, the "first foot" (in the American vernacular "firstfoot"), whose character, and appearance are believed to determine the household's fortune for the coming year. Indeed, first footing is the most significant and captivating custom associated with Hogmanay, the liveliest and greatest of all Scottish holidays.
At the stroke of midnight from the clock on the mantelpiece, everyone waits expectantly for the first-footing ceremony to commence. Toasting and kissing are in progress when, in the midst of the gaiety, a loud knock comes on the front door. "Someone's first footin' ye," shouts one of the guests, as the celebrating suddenly stops and all eyes turn to see the caller.
Of utmost importance to the Scots is the appearance of the first foot. According to a legend that is believed to originate from Roman settlers (who in turn adopted it from the Greeks), this fixes the character of the luck for the coming year. A first foot who is believed to have brought misfortune may never again be invited to the victim's home.
An auspicious first foot must be a man, and it is usually required that he be dark-haired and dark-eyed. A fair-haired man can mean bad luck in some parts of Scotland, a belief originating from the days when blond Viking and Norse invaders ravaged coastal communities. Less readily explained is a predominantly lowland prejudice against redheads (as a great number of Scots are red-haired), although in some Highland and island villages a redheaded first foot is considered quite acceptable.
A propitious first foot should not be carrying anything sharp or wearing any thing black. It is advantageous to have a high instep so that "water will run underneath." Ill-omened are criminals, persons with deformities or squints, those whose eyebrows meet in the middle or are suspected of having the evil eye, and--above all--women. Scots believe that if the first foot is a woman, she is "an image of death."
But there are even differences of opinion about women. A red-haired woman is regarded as the unluckiest of all first foots, say some Scots. Then again, a blonde can be a very bad omen. "If the first foot is a woman,/ And that woman she be fair,/ In the days
...
Read Full Article
Look for this article in Ask.com
|
|
