Meaning of the kiss in the eve of Western people

Historians think that according to the old concept of the Germans, New Year's Eve kiss can bring good luck for the new year.

New Year's Eve is a very sacred moment, farewell to an old year that has passed to celebrate the upcoming New Year. This is also the time when people want to be with the people they love most, to celebrate the peaceful new year together. When the couple is together, at the time of New Year's Eve, they will give each other a warm kiss, which is said to bring good luck in the new year. The true meaning of this sweet act also relates to an ancient tradition.

According to historians, at the end of the crop in the middle of winter, the ancient Romans often held a one-week celebration to honor Saturn, the agricultural deity in their faith. Many traditions of Christmas and New Year today originated from this festival such as decorating the house, hanging laurel wreaths, giving gifts, taking leave from work, eating great meals and spending time having fun together.

Jillianne Sabatini and Stephen Regalia kissed on Times Square, New York, USA, January 1, 2018.(Photo: Reuters)

In the book "Religion of Rome," historians say that during this festival, "hierarchy and rules of society are paused" , meaning that people can live more freely than usual, couples The couple can show affection and enjoy the warm moment together.

It is also believed that the first day of the year determines the remaining days of the year. Therefore, when kissing each other at the moment of transfer between the old year and the new year, the whole year they will always be happy together.

During the Renaissance in Europe from the 15th to the 17th centuries, masquerade was popular at the end of the year. When the mask is removed at New Year's Eve, people will kiss the first person they see. This ritual is believed to help wash away the unfortunate events that occurred in the old year.

This tradition is similar to the British view that kissing gives the blessing to the one we love, giving them the power to resist misfortune, according to astronomer and anthropologist Anthony Aveni.

New Year's Eve at Diamond Horse-shoe, New York City, December 31, 1941.(Photo: Bettmann).

The popular conception of the British and Germans is that people celebrate the New Year with them will bring good luck or bad luck for the whole year. Germans who immigrated to the United States in the mid-19th century are thought to be the people who spread the tradition of New Year's Eve kiss , according to Alexis McCrossen, author of the historical view of time views in American culture.

She authored an article published on January 3, 1863 of the New York Times about the atmosphere to welcome the New Year in New York City as follows: "New Year's Eve is a great time for Germans" , article newspaper. "When the clock hits 12 o'clock at night, all the fun stops for a moment giving way to the silence to think about and when the last second of the old year is over, everyone, big or small , old and young, men and women, all rushed into each other's arms, they exchanged passionate kisses, shouting 'Happy New Year!' "

This tradition then transcended the scope of the German immigrant community . "Cities in the US are expanding and more and more immigrants from Europe are bringing with them the celebrations of the New Year," said history professor McCrossen. "Nevertheless, the Germans still have a great influence on American culture and customs."

American society has different attitudes towards immigrants from different countries."Germans are more respected than Italians and other immigrant groups," Professor McCrossen points out. As a result, many German customs quickly spread throughout American society.

After lighting electricity in the 1880s, the nightlife became lively and people started going out to welcome New Year's Eve."That is the time when the custom of kissing in the moment of transferring the old and the new year becomes popular".

In 1907, New York banned fireworks and the city government devised a new way to celebrate the new year - drop a glass ball. The image of lovers kissing on Times Square is broadcast on the bridge, making New Year's Eve kiss become the increasingly popular customs around the world.

No one knows how the tradition of the ancient Romans, the British or the Germans right and wrong, but we all know well, sharing the first-year kiss with your beloved brings a lot of special features, creating The excitement for the upcoming new year promises to be filled with sweetness and love.