In many towns and villages of northern England the New Year, and sometimes Christmas also, is "let in" by a dark-haired man or boy, called "First-foot," or "Lucky Bird." Nobody should leave the house until First-foot arrives, thus establishing good luck to the household for the coming year. Most people agree that a woman, a squint-eyed, or a flat-footed person is unlucky. Light, or sandyhaired men are generally unpopular, since Judas Iscariot was thought to have had red hair!
First-foot often carries gifts into the house, such as something green (but not dead), a lump of coal, or a loaf of bread, so that the household may have good luck, warmth and plenty of food during the next twelve months. In Yorkshire's mining area I know a man who, on New Year's Eve, always wraps lumps of coal in bright blue, green or red paper, and leaves one piece at midnight with each of his cronies. From year to year, the recipients cherish the coals which, on no account, may be burned or cast aside. First-foot always is heartily welcomed with a glass of ale, a piece of Yule spice cake and a bit of cheese.
In many Staffordshire villages the family head (if dark-haired) leaves the house just before midnight, while church bells are tolling the old year out. Then, just as the chimes begin their joyous pealing, he returns, "bringing the New Year in" through the open front door, and "letting the Old Year out" by the back. All the womenfolk are kissed, congratulations exchanged, healths drunk and little mince pies eaten. For Staffordshire, Shropshire, and some other counties claim that the Twelve Days between Christmas and January first mirror the coming year, and a person will have one happy month during the next twelve for each mince pie he eats at a neighbor's home. It is small wonder then, that village wassailers, acquaintances and friends visit constantly from house to house during Yuletide, and that hospitality flows as freely as good wishes and congratulations.
New Year's Day in rural England, as in many other countries, abounds in signs and portents. Each county has its own quaint sayings and folk superstitions to safeguard the family welfare for the next twelve months.
In Lancashire, Lincolnshire, and some other places, for example, people say it is unlucky "to give away a light from the house" on New Year's Day, while elsewhere it is generally thought that bad luck results from taking anything out of the house before bringing something in! To carry in something green means plenty of bread, but to carry in bad news, results in sure disaster!
In Cornwall, to pay out money on January 1 means you will be passing it out for the next twelve months, while in Devonshire a handsel, or gift, of something sweet, must go to the bees, if there is to be plenty of honey during the coming year. Of course, washing on New Year's Day may "wash a friend away," while sweeping towards the door instead of the hearth, takes out every bit of luck!
On New Year's Day every one does well to watch his ways. For the beginning of the year is the time for remembering old customs, old ceremonials and old superstitions, many of which--quite unknown to persons who do so--originated in the midwinter rites of pagan times.
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