Праздники в Британии
РЕФЕРАТ
Курсовая работа 38 страниц, 20 источников.
Key words: holidays, Great Britain, national holidays, British Royal ceremonies, religious holidays, the historical background
Object: holidays in Great Britain
Subject: the traditions and customs in Great Britain, the origins and the way of celebration different holidays and festivals
Methods of research: study and analysis of literature on the problems of the main holidays in Great Britain
Purpose: to describe the main British holidays, making a note of their national, religious or state aspect
Objectives: to study the main British holidays; to describe the way of celebration British Royal ceremonies and festivals; to give the interesting facts about the main national holidays; to single out their features and the origins
Results: British modern holidays have been studied; the information about the national, religious holidays has been given; British Royal ceremonies have been described in every detail
Recommendations: the results of the research can be used in "British Studies"
Contents
Introduction………………………………………………
1 BRITISH CEREMONIES……………………………………………………
1.1 Poppy Day…………………………………………………………………….
1.2 The Lord Mayor’s Show………………………………………………………...7
1.3 Changing the Guard…………………………………………………………...
1.4 The Ceremony of the Key……………………………………………………….9
1.5 Trooping the Colour…………………………………………………………….
1.6 Engagement and the Ceremony of Wedding……………………………………12
2 TRADITIONAL HOLIDAYS…………….………………………………………
2.1 New Year……………………………………………………………………
2.2 St. Valentine’s Day ……………………………………………………………..16
2.3 April Fool’s Day………………………………………………………………...
2.4 May 1 – Day of Solidary……………………………………………………….
2.5 Merry England and London May Queen Festival …………………………..…22
2.6 August Bank Holiday……………………………………………………………
2.7 Halloween………………………………………………………
2.8 Guy Fawkes Night……………………………………………………………….
3 RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS……………………………………………………….
3.1 Christmas………………………………………………………
3.2 Mother’s Day……………………………………………………………………
3.3 Easter………………………………………………………………
3.4 Pancake Day…………………………………………………………………….
Conclusion……………………………………………………
Bibliography………………………………………………
Introduction
This course paper tells about traditions and customs in Great Britain, the origins and the way of celebration these holidays and different festivals.
Every country and every nation has its own holidays, customs and traditions. British people are very proud of their traditions, cherish them and carefully keep them up, because many of them are associated with the history and cultural development of the country.
Britain is a country governed by routine. It has fewer public holidays than any other country in Europe. The British also seem to do comparatively badly with regard to annual holidays. These are not as long as they are in many other countries. In fact, about 40% of the population do not go away anywhere for their holidays. The task and the purpose of my course work is to describe the main British holidays, making a note of their national, religious or state aspect. Thus in this research work traditional and religious holidays of Britain are studied. The main information on the subject is collected. The gathered material is divided into three parts:
- British ceremonies;
- Traditional holidays;
- Religious holidays.
Each of these parts is described in detail. English traditional and religious holidays are classified according to their types and features.
The main national holidays are:
New Year is not as widely or as enthusiastically observed as Christmas. However the type of celebrations varying very much according to the local custom, family tradition and personal taste;
St. Valentine's Day is a day when boys and girls, sweethearts and lovers, will exchange greetings of affection, undying love or satirical comment;
All Fool's Day is a day when any person may be made an April Fool;
Halloween is a very special holiday — a combination of holidays. It is time for games, fun and fortune telling, for ghost stories and making mischief;
Guy Fawkes Night, November 5, it commemorates the discovery or the so- called Gunpowder Plot and is widely celebrated throughout the country;
British people are proud of ceremonies of the national capital- London. They include daily ceremonies and annuals, Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Ceremony of the Keys in the Tower, Remembrance Day, Mounting the Guard at the Horse Guards square are the most popular daily ceremonies.
Religious holidays are:
Pancake Day is the popular name for Shrove Tuesday, the day preceding the first day of Lent;
Mothering Day is a day of small family reunions, when absent sons and daughters return to their homes, and gifts are made to mothers by their children of all ages;
Easter is also a time when certain old traditions are observed, whether it is celebrated as the start of spring or a religious festival.
Christmas is a religious holiday and many church services are held to celebrate the birth of Jesus. In December, as Christmas gets closer, carols are sung in churches and schools, often at special concerts, and also, though less often than in the past, by groups of people who go from house to house collecting money for charitable causes.
Also there are different traditions and holidays in different regions. In Scotland and northern England, the custom of First-Footing in the early hours of January 1st is still kept up with great vigour. He brings symbolic gifts of food or fuel or money as tokens of prosperity in the year that has just begun.
Some British traditions are known all over the world. Britain is full of customs. There are a lot of English songs, sayings and superstitions. There is a long menu of traditional British food as well. They are a part of the British way of life. A lot of them have very long histories. Some are funny and some are strange. But they are all interesting.
1 BRITISH CEREMONIES
1.1 Poppy Day
Poppy Day or Remembrance Day is observed throughout Britain in commemoration of the million or more British soldiers, sailors and airmen who lost their lives during the two world wars.
Ceremonies are held at local war memorials, usually organized by local branches of the Royal British Legion, an association for ex-servicemen. Typically, poppy wreaths are laid by representatives of the Crown, the armed forces, and local civic leaders, as well as by local organizations including ex-servicemen organizations, cadet forces, the Scouts, Guides, Boys' Brigade, St John Ambulance and the Salvation Army. A minute's or two minutes' silence is also frequently incorporated into church services. Further wreath-laying ceremonies are observed at most war memorials across the UK at 11 a.m. on the 11th of November, led by the Royal British Legion. The beginning and end of the two minutes' silence is often marked in large towns and cities by the firing of ceremonial cannon and many employers and businesses invite their staff and customers to observe the two minutes' silence at 11:00 a.m.
The First Two Minute Silence in London (11 November 1919) was reported in the Manchester Guardian on 12 November 1919. The main national commemoration is held at Whitehall, in Central London, for dignitaries, the public, and ceremonial detachments from the armed forces and civilian uniformed services such as the Merchant Navy and Her Majesty's Coastguard. Members of the British Royal Family walk through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office towards the Cenotaph, assembling to the right of the monument to wait for Big Ben to strike 11:00 a.m., and for the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery at Horse Guards Parade, to fire the cannon marking the commencement of the two minutes of silence. Following this, "Last Post" is sounded by the buglers of the Royal Marines. "The Rouse" is then sounded by the trumpeters of the Royal Air Force, after which wreaths are laid by the Queen and senior members of the Royal Family attending in military uniform and then, to "Beethoven's Funeral March" (composed by Johann Heinrich Walch), by attendees in the following order: the Prime Minister; the leaders of the major political parties from all parts of the United Kingdom; Commonwealth High Commissioners to London, on behalf of their respective nations; the Foreign Secretary, on behalf of the British Dependencies; the First Sea Lord; the Chief of the General Staff; the Chief of the Air Staff; representatives of the merchant navy and Fishing Fleets and the merchant air service. Other members of the Royal Family usually watch the service from the balcony of the Foreign Office. The service is generally conducted by the Bishop of London, with a choir from the Chapels Royal, in the presence of representatives of all major faiths in the United Kingdom. Before the marching commences, the members of the Royal Family and public sing the national anthem before the Royal Delegation lead out after the main service.
Members of the Reserve Forces and cadet organizations join in with the marching, alongside volunteers from St John Ambulance, paramedics from the London Ambulance Service, and conflict veterans from World War II, Korea, the Falklands, the Persian Gulf, Kosovo, Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Iraq, other past conflicts and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. The last three British-resident veterans of World War I, Bill Stone, Henry Allingham, and Harry Patch, attended the 2008 ceremony but all died in 2009. After the service, there is a parade of veterans, who also lay wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph as they pass, and a salute is taken by a member of the Royal Family at Horse Guards Parade.
The Poppy is internationally recognized as a symbol of remembrance because 3 months after the first world war ended the trenches in Flanders Field became overgrown with poppies. That is why on that day artificial poppies, are traditionally sold in the streets everywhere, and people wear them in their button-holes. The money raised from the sale of the poppies worn by almost everyone in the UK every year goes to the Earl Haig fund which was set up after world war I to provide immediate assistance to ex-servicemen and women in need. This may include food, shelter or medical attention.
1.2 The Lord Mayor’s Show
Winding its way through the city of London, the Lord Mayor’s Show celebrates 800 years of history and pageantry watched by millions throughout Britain.
The Lord Mayor’s Show forms the longest running and most well-known spectacles in the fabulous city of London. The day after being sworn into service, the Lord Mayor, travelling in a glamorous state coach leads a procession from the City of London to the Royal Courts of Justice in the City of Westminster, where they mayor officially swears allegiance to the Crown.
This procession is known as the Lord Mayor’s Show and mixes 800 years of traditional pageantry and modern day carnival, with military bands and floats from organizations within the London community, while in the evening a huge fireworks display is held by the banks of the Thames.
Around half a million people are expected to turn out on the streets of London to watch the Lord Mayor’s Show, while millions more will watch the event at home on the BBC.
The Lord Mayor’s Show, dates back to 1215 and the tradition has been upheld even through the dark days of the Black Death and the Blitz. Dick Wittington was famously thrice Mayor of London and led the procession in 1397, 1406 and 1419. In 1759 the fabulous Lord Mayor’s state coach was built at a staggering cost of £120,000 and has carried the Mayor along the route each year since. From 1959, the Lord Mayor’s Show has been held on the second Saturday of November.
The Lord Mayor governs the City of London region and is not to be confused with the Mayor of London, whose remit covers the Greater London area. The first Lord Mayor was Henry Fitzailwyn in 1189, from 1215 has been elected by the City and since then almost 700 people have served as Lord Mayor of London.
The Mayoral insignia include the Seal, the Purse, the Sword and the Mace. In their role the mayor serves on the governing body of the City of London, the Corporation of London, though their role is primarily ceremonial rather than political hosting foreign dignitaries and representing the London financial sector. The Lord Mayor’s other roles include Chief Magistrate of London and Admiral of the Port of London.
Lord Mayor of London lives in the City - in the Mansion with a classic front very much like a Greek temple.
The Lord Mayor is the first citizen of the City and the first Magistrate. He has the Keys of the City. No troops are allowed to cross the limits of the City, neither King nor Queen is allowed to come here without his permission.
The Lord' Mayor is elected every year by the Aldermen and every year on the second Saturday in November there is a great ceremony — "The Lord Mayor's Show."
1.3 Changing of the Guard
Changing of the Guard is a top London attraction for residents and tourists alike and embodies much of the pomp and ceremony that the British are so well known for around the world.
The guards who take part in the Changing of the Guard ceremony may look like ceremonial guards, but they are actually also serving Soldiers in Her Majesty's British Army.
The Household Division is made up of The Household Cavalry Regiment, The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals as well as the five regiments on foot, which are the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards and also the Welsh Guards. The Queen's Life Guards are mounted troopers of the Household Cavalry, whose job is to guard the official entrance to St. James's Palace, as well as Buckingham Palace outside Horse Guards in Whitehall. Each detachment of the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace and St. James's is under the command of the Captain of the Queen's Guard.
Guarding the ruling Sovereign is a job that has been traditionally performed by the Household Troops (as they were then known) which dates back to the accession of Henry VII in 1485. These soldiers still actively protect the Queen. At night, the guards patrol the grounds at Buckingham Palace and St. James's.
The Queen's Life Guard ceremony takes place each day during the week at 11:00 a.m. and on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Horse Guards. The mounted sentries are on duty from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
The St. James' Palace detachment of the Queen's Guard, led usually by the Corps of Drums, and bearing the Colour (if the Queen is in residence, then this will be the Queen's Colour; if she is not, then it is the Regimental Colour), marches along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where the Buckingham Palace detachment has formed up to await their arrival. These two detachments are the Old Guard. Meanwhile the New Guard is forming up and are awaiting inspection by the Adjutant on the parade square at Wellington Barracks. The Band, having been inspected by the Adjutant, forms a circle to play music whilst the New Guard is inspected. The Guard provides a full Military Band consisting of no fewer than 35 musicians (usually, though not always, from one of the Guards regiments) accompanied by their Director of Music. When the New Guard is formed up, led by the Band, it marches across into the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Once there, the New Guard advances towards the Old Guard in slow time and halts. The Old Guard presents arms, followed by the New Guard presenting arms. The Captains of the Guards march towards each other for the handing over of the Palace keys. The new reliefs are marched to the guardrooms of Buckingham Palace and St James' Palace where new sentries are posted.
During this time the Band has taken its place by the centre gate, formed up in a half-circle, where it plays music to entertain the New and Old Guard as well as the watching crowds. During this period, the two regimental colours are paraded up and down by the Ensigns (usually junior officers of 2nd Lieutenant rank or equivalent). With the Old and New Guards formed up once again, the Old Guard and the Band marches out through the centre gates in slow time to their Regimental Slow march played by the Band. At the end of the slow march the Captain of the Old Guard gives the word of command to 'Break into Quick Time' and with a brisk five pace roll from the drums, the Band leads the way back to Wellington Barracks.
1.4 The Ceremony of the Key
While London is full of history, there are few opportunities for visitors to be part of a centuries old tradition in a very up-close-and-personal way while also getting a very direct feel of the history of the place. One of those opportunities comes when attending the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London.
The Ceremony of the Keys has been conducted nightly for the past 700 years, and the tradition continues on into the 21st Century. While the Queen no longer lives at the Tower of London, the Crown Jewels and other valuable artifacts are still there, and the Tower, which continues to serve as a fortress, must be securely locked each night by the famed Beefeaters, who act in concert with the military guards, the same ones who can be seen wearing large “Bearskin” hats during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.
The exact origin of the Ceremony is somewhat obscure, though it probably dates from the time of the White Tower - the great Norman fortress commenced by William the Conqueror and completed in about 1080 AD - become regularly used as a Royal stronghold in the capital city.
As the fortifications around the Tower were increased from time to time so it became used not only as Royal residence, but also as the Mint and State Prison. The Country's gold was stored at the Tower, as were the Royal Records and Royal Regalia, and numerous historical figures were imprisoned within its walls for political reasons, many of whom were never to emerge to freedom, dying either from natural causes or by execution on Tower Green or Tower Hill.
The surrounding populace were not always in sympathy with activities inside the Tower, and as enemies of the King might attempt to rescue prisoners or to steal the Crown Jewels, the need for security was very great. Thus it was in olden times that every night at dusk the Gentlemen Porter - now known as the Chief Yeoman Warder - would collect an armed escort, and would Lock and secure all the gates and doors leading into the Tower, thereby making it proof against hostile attack or intrigue, This done, the Keys would be handed over to the Tower Governor for safe keeping during the night.
In 1826, the Duke of Wellington (then Constable of the Tower) ordered that the time of the Ceremony be fixed at ten o'clock each night, so as to ensure that his soldiers were all inside the Tower before the gates were locked.
Accordingly, every night at exactly 7 minutes to ten, the Chief Warder emerges from the Byward Tower, carrying the traditional lantern - still lighted with a piece of candle - and in the other the Queen's Keys. He proceeds at a dignified pace to the Bloody Tower, where an escort consisting of two sentries, - a Sergeant and a representative Drummer are marched to the outer gate. En route, all guards and sentries present arms as the Queen's Keys pass.
As the Chief Warder shuts and locks the great oak doors of first the Middle Tower and then the Byward Tower, the escort halt and present arms.
They now return along Water Lane towards the Wakefield Tower, where in the deep shadows of the Bloody Tower Archway a sentry waits and watches.
As the Chief Warder and escort approach, the sentry's challenge rings out.
"Halt!" the escort is halted.
"Who comes there?"
"The Keys" replies the Chief Warder.
"Who's Keys?"
"Queen Elizabeth's Keys" is the answer.
"Pass Queen Elizabeth's Keys - All's well".
Whereupon the Chief Warder and escort proceed through the archway towards the steps by the 13th century wall, where the Guard for the night is drawn up under an officer with drawn sword, The Chief Warder and escort halt at the foot of the steps.
The Officer gives the command, Guard and Escort - present arms. The Chief Warder takes two paces forward, raises his Tudor bonnet high in the air and calls out God preserve Queen Elizabeth.
The Whole Guard reply Amen, and as the parade ground clock chimes ten, the Drummer (bugler) sounds the Last Post.
The Chief Warder takes the Keys to the house of the Resident Governor, and the Guard is dismissed.
1.5 Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour is a ceremony performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies. It has been a tradition of British infantry regiments since the 17th century, although the roots go back much earlier. On battlefields, a regiment's colours, or flags, were used as rallying points. Consequently, regiments would have their Ensigns slowly march with their colours between the soldiers' ranks to enable soldiers to recognize their regiments' colours.
Since 1748 Trooping the Colour has also marked the official birthday of the British sovereign. It is held in London annually on a Saturday in June on Horse Guards Parade by St. James's Park, and coincides with the publication of the Birthday Honours List. Among the audience are the Royal Family, invited guests, ticketholders and the general public. The colourful ceremony, also known as "The Queen's Birthday Parade", is broadcast live by the BBC.
The Trooping the Colour procession begins at about 10:00 a.m. The Queen travels down The Mall from Buckingham Palace in a royal procession with a sovereign's escort of Household Cavalry (mounted troops or horse guards). After receiving a royal salute, she inspects her troops of the Household Division, both foot guards and horse guards, and the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery. Each year, one of the foot-guards regiments is selected to troop its colour through the ranks of guards. Then the entire Household Division assembly conducts a march past the Queen, who receives a salute from the saluting base. Parading with its guns, the King's Troop takes precedence as the mounted troops perform a walk-march and trot-past.
The music is provided by the massed bands of the foot guards and the mounted bands of the Household Cavalry, together with a Corps of Drums, and occasionally pipers, totaling approximately 400 musicians.
Returning to Buckingham Palace, the Queen watches a further march-past from outside the gates. Following a 41-gun salute by the King's Troop in Green Park, she leads the Royal Family on to the palace balcony for a Royal Air Force fly-past.
When it comes to pomp and pageantry, the Trooping the Colour is the most elaborate of London’s royal ceremonies. The Trooping the Colour ceremony is held to celebrate the official birthday of the British Sovereign. So, although Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21st, her birthday is officially celebrated in Britain in June each year, usually around the second Saturday. The annual Trooping the Colour combines pageantry, colour and music and is the high point of London’s ceremonial year.
1.6 Engagement and the Ceremony of Wedding
In Britain the custom of becoming engaged is still generally retained, though many young people dispense with it, and the number of such couples is increasing. As а rule, an engagement is announced as soon as а girl has accepted а proposal of marriage, but in some cases it is done а good time afterwards. Rules of etiquette dictate that the girl’s parents should be the first to hear the news; in practice, however, it is often the couple’s friends who are taken into confidence before either of the parents. If а man has not yet met his future in-laws he does so at the first opportunity, whereas his parents usually write them а friendly letter. It is then up to the girl’s mother to invite her daughter’s future in-laws, to а meal or drinks. Quite often, of course, the man has been а frequent visitor at the girl’s house long before the engagement, and their families are already well acquainted.
When а girl accepts а proposal, the man generally gives her а ring in token of the betrothal. It is worn on the third finger of the left hand before marriage and together with the wedding ring after it. Engagement rings range from expensive diamond rings to rings with Victorian semi-precious stones costing only а few pounds.
In most cases the engagement itself amounts only to announcements being made to the parents on both sides and to friends and relations, but some people arrange an engagement party, and among the better-off people it is customary to put an announcement in the newspaper.
In the book Etiquette the author writes that “as soon as congratulations and the first gaieties of announcement are over, а man should have а talk with the girl’s father about the date of their wedding, where they will live, how well off he is and his future plans and prospects”. Nowadays this is often not done, one of the reasons being that today the young people enjoy а greater degree of financial independence that they used to, to be able to decide these matters for themselves. However, in working class families, where the family ties are still strong and each member of the family is more economically dependent upon the rest, things are rather different. Quite often, particularly in the larger towns, the couple will have no option but to live after marriage with either the girl’s or the man’s people. Housing shortage in Britain is still acute, and the rents are very high. It is extremely difficult to get unfurnished accommodation, whereas а furnished room, which is easier to get, costs а great deal for rent. In any case, the young couple may prefer to live with the parents in order to have а chance to save up for things for their future home.
But if the young people, particularly those of the higher-paid section of the population, often make their own decisions concerning the wedding and their future, the parents, particularly the girl’s, still play an important part in the ensuing activities.
The period of engagement is usually short, three or four months, but this is entirely а matter of choice and circumstances.
Choosing the right day for the wedding is the next thing to be considered. Now the most popular day is a Saturday as most people work during the week. As there are only four Saturdays in any month, summer weddings need to be booked a year in advance.
In the past, however, choosing when to marry was a serious affair. Saturdays were considered unlucky, and so were Fridays, especially Friday the 13th. This famous old rhyme advises a wedding to happen in the first half of the week:
Monday for wealth
Tuesday for health
Wednesday the best day of all
Thursday for losses
Friday for crosses
Saturday for no luck at all
However, this is just the beginning of the serious business of wedding planning. Weddings are not cheap, so a careful budget needs to be set. An average wedding in Britain costs £10-12,000. To a large extent, the cost depends on how many guests are invited, which is normally around 150. Traditionally, the bride's family would pay most expenses, except for the drinks and the honeymoon which would be at the bridegroom's family's expense. Nowadays, things are more flexible and expenses are split according to the two families' incomes.
Buying a suitable outfit for the groom is not difficult - he just needs a black suit and a flower buttonhole. However, dressing the bride is an altogether different matter. The answer is in this old rhyme, which is as relevant today as it was more than a hundred years ago:
Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in your shoe
"Something old" is usually given to the bride by a happily married woman in the hope that her happy marriage will be passed on to the new bride. "Something new" symbolizes the newlyweds' happy and prosperous future. "Something borrowed" is often a valuable item lent by the bride's family which needs to be returned to ensure good luck. "Something blue" is normally a blue ribbon in the bride's hair to symbolize fidelity. The placing of a silver sixpence (an old English coin) or a penny in the bride's shoe is to ensure future wealth.
As it is important for the bride and groom to look and feel great on the most important day of their life, they need some help. The bride chooses her sister or a close friend to be her chief bridesmaid. Originally, bridesmaids were young women dressed the same way as the bride to confuse evil spirits and protect the bride. The chief bridesmaid, or the Bridesmaid of Honour, helps the bride to choose her dress, get dressed on the day and assists with the actual wedding ceremony. If it is a church wedding, she follows the bride and her father up the aisle and holds the bride's bouquet during the ceremony. The groom also has a helper. The Best Man, who is normally the groom's best friend, plays an important part in any wedding. He helps the groom to get dressed, organizes the stag party and generally coordinates the whole event.
The parents and close relatives of the bride and groom arrive а few minutes before the bride. The bridegroom and his best man should be in their places at least ten minutes before the service starts. The bridesmaids and pages wait in the church porch with whoever is to arrange the bride’s veil before she goes up the aisle.
The bride, by tradition, arrives а couple of minutes late but this should not be exaggerated. She arrives with whoever is giving her away. The verger signals to the organist to start playing, and the bride moves up the aisle with her veil over her face (although many brides do not follow this custom). She goes in on her father’s right arm, and the bridesmaids follow her according to the plan at the rehearsal the day before. The bridesmaids and ushers go to their places in the front pews during the ceremony, except for the chief bridesmaid who usually stands behind the bride and holds her bouquet.
After the ceremony the couple go into the vestry to sign the register with their parents, best man, bridesmaids and perhaps а close relation such as а grandmother. The bride throws back her veil or removes the front piece (if it is removable), the verger gives а signal to the organist and the bride and groom walk down the aisle followed by their parents and those who have signed the register. The bride’s mother walks down the aisle on the left arm of the bridegroom’s father and the bridegroom’s mother walks down on the left arm of the bride’s father (or whoever has given the bride away). Guests wait until the wedding procession has passed them before leaving to go on to the reception.
The last part of the wedding is the reception. Traditionally, guests are offered a wedding cake. Originally, cakes were flat and round and contained fruit and nuts that symbolized fertility. Now wedding cakes have three tiers. The new shape is believed to have been inspired by the unusual spire of Saint Bride's Church in the City of London. The couple make the first cut together to symbolize their shared future. It is said that if unmarried guests place a piece of wedding cake under their pillow before sleeping, it will increase their chances of finding a partner.
In conclusion I’d like to say that there is no other nation that clings to the past with the tenacity of the British. The Briton has a sense of the continuity of history. He loves to go through his ancient ceremonies as he has always performed them with the consciousness that he is keeping faith with his ancestors, that he is maintaining the community they created. He does not often change his manner of carrying out official acts, and if ever he does, the new method at once becomes the tradition.
2 TRADITIONAL HOLIDAYS
2.1 New Year
British celebrations of New Year are a defined and precise reflection of the customs, cultures, and traditions as followed and hold by British people. Even in the time of the modern world, when everything which one can think of has grown itself into an unimaginable world, festivals and the way they are celebrated are no exception. However, with the New Year celebrations in British, one can clearly draw a prominent exception in the list. It is not that British totally evade itself from accepting the changing times, and the changing way of celebrations. But, they do change, but at the same time ensuring that they remain intact with their own customs and traditions even in the changing circumstances. New Year celebrations are a clear reflection of that.
British celebrate New Year on January 1, i.e. the first date of the first month of the Georgian calendar. British celebrations reflect high vigor, enthusiasm, pleasure, and delight; and at the same times give a glance of their rich customs and traditions. They reflect the British belief that one should initiate anything with positive hopes and beliefs of pleasurable coming time. Also, one should move ahead and over the past problems and difficulties of life, and should only remember them to learn few good lessons of life. With this as the crux of all, British celebrate their New Year. Off late, one have visible experience an addition of contemporary traditions to New Year celebrations in British, such as taking oath, making resolution, etc. British New Year celebrations are eminent all around the world, and common and royal people from all around the world put in efforts to be a part of it.
New Year celebrations in British saw a lot of planning and preparation going in before the key day arrives. Traditionally, British New Year celebrations begins on New Year’s Eve, i.e. 31st December of the old year, and go on till the dawn of the New Year’s Day, i.e. January 1st of the New Year. Setting off fireworks is an important celebration tradition, which gained eminence in last few years. As soon as church bell rings twelve at the midnight, these fireworks are set off. Also, people all around the place, whether in houses, streets or parties, wish and hug one another while spreading and celebrating immense cheer and joy associated with New Year.
In England, there is a tradition of opening the back door of the house as soon as the church bell rings twelve. It is considered to be a reflection of one’s farewell to the old year. Then a dark haired moon, preferably young and good looking, is asked to enter through the front door with salt, coal, and bread in his possession. Doing so is traditionally believed to bring good luck, and also ensure abundance of food (bread), money (salt), and warm (coal) in the coming year. One should prefer to bring in a stranger. Also a blonde, a woman, or a red-haired are unwelcomed, as they are considered to be bring bad luck to the house. Apart from England, it is also rigorously followed in Scotland.
In London crowds of people gather in Trafalgar square, and Piccadilly Circus as well as stand around to hear the chimes of London's Big Ben announces the arrival of the New Year. Everyone stands around with arms linked to sing Auld Lang Syne.
The custom of exchanging gifts was transferred to Christmas it was originally done at New Year, when the Lord of the Manor was given samples of produce by his tenants and peasants, while he gave a valuable gift to the Queen or King. The Englishman gave their wives money to by pins for the coming year. This Tradition died, but, the expression "pin money" is still used to describe the money set aside for personal use, especially if given to a woman by her husband.
On New Year's Day children from England and Great Britain rise early to make the rounds to their neighbors singing songs. They are given coins, mince pies, apples and other sweets for singing. This must be done by noon or the singer will be called fools.
The Burning Bush is a nineteenth century custom carried into the early years of this century. In Radnorshire and Herefordshire farmhand would get up early before dawn on New Year's Day and carry a hawthorn bush to the field. They were burnt in straw on the wheat field. It was a symbol of good luck for the farmers. The bushes sometimes hung in the kitchen until the next year.
In England girls would drop egg whites into water. They thought it would form the first letter of the name of the man they would marry.
Apart from parties and meals, another important part of New Year celebrations in UK is the biggest New Year parade. The parade starts at noon walking down the streets via Whitehall, Pall Mall and finishing in Berkley square. Musicians, dancers, acrobats, march, drums and other entertainers do a splendid job to make the event most distinguished one. Everyone present at the Berkley is openly invited to join the carnival and enjoy the festive occasion.
2.2 St. Valentine’s Day
Valentine's Day is a romantic day observed on February 14th. This day is celebrated with gaiety, enthusiasm and charm in Britain. Just as in many other countries, people in Britain express love for their beloved on this day by presenting them flowers, cards, chocolates and other special gifts. Different regions of the country have their specific traditions to celebrate Valentine's Day but one uniform custom is the singing of special songs by children. These children are rewarded with gifts of candy, fruit or money. In some regions delectable Valentine buns are baked with caraway seeds, plums or raisins.
The history of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery. St. Valentine’s Day contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. There are many legends about Saint Valentine and the origins of the holiday.
One legend says that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those married, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. And Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death, which probably occurred around 270 A.D.
According to another legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself. While in prison, Valentine fell in love with a young girl, his jailor’s daughter, who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that is still in use today. Legends usually says that Valentine was a sympathetic, heroic, and romantic person. In the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
But there is a version that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine’s day in the middle of February in an effort to ‘christianize’ celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of fertility, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
In the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big jar. The city’s bachelors would then each choose a name out of the jar and would then be a partner of chosen woman for the duration of the festival. Sometimes the pairing of the people lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry.
Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day around 498 A.D. The Roman ‘lottery’ system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed.
Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending simple gifts such as flowers.
In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology.
Customs associated with Valentine's Day had their origin in the popular belief held by people in Great Britain and France during 14th and 15th century that birds begin to mate on February 14, halfway through the month of February. Lovers, therefore found St Valentine's Day an appropriate time to send love letters and gifts to beloved. Romantic image of the festival was further established by English and French poets and litterateurs who drew parallel between mating of birds and St Valentine's Day. In the Paston Letters, Dame Elizabeth Brews writes thus about a match she hopes to make for her daughter (spelling modernize), addressing the favored suitor:
And, cousin mine, upon Monday is Saint Valentine's Day and every bird chooses himself a mate, and if it like you to come on Thursday night, and make provision that you may abide till then, I trust to God that ye shall speak to my husband and I shall pray that we may bring the matter to a conclusion.
Unmarried girls in Britain and Italy used to wake up before sunrise on Valentine's Day. They believed that the first man they see on Valentine's Day or someone who looks like him would marry them within a year. Girls, therefore, used to wake up early to stand by their window and wait for the man to pass. William Shakespeare, the famous English playwright, mentions this belief in Hamlet (1603). Ophelia, a woman in the play, sings:
Good morrow! 'Tis St. Valentine's Day
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your valentine!
Another popular belief held by people of Great Britain made women pin four bay leaves to the corners of their pillow and eat eggs with salt replacing the removed yokes on Valentine's Day eve. Unmarried girls to dream of their future husband followed the custom. Unmarried ladies also used to write their lover's names on paper and put them on clay balls that they would drop into the water. It was believed that whichever paper came up first, that man would be their future husband.
Nowadays Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries of the world on February 14. It is a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines”).
Modern Valentine’s Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Winged and mischievous little angel called Cupid is one of the very famous Valentine's Day Symbols. According to Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Cupid was known to cause people to fall in love by shooting them with his magical arrows. But Cupid didn't just cause others to fall in love - he himself fell deeply in love. As legend has it, Cupid fell in love with a mortal maiden named Psyche. Cupid married Psyche, but Venus, jealous of Psyche's beauty, forbade her daughter-in-law to look at Cupid. Psyche, of course, couldn't resist temptation and sneaked a peek at her handsome husband. As punishment, Venus demanded that she perform three hard tasks, the last of which caused Psyche's death. Cupid brought Psyche back to life and the gods, moved by their love, granted Pysche immortality. Cupid thus represents the heart and Psyche the (struggles of the) human soul.
