Post by Victor Drosselmeyer on Dec 31, 2008 16:30:19 GMT -5
I thought this would be fitting considering it's New Year's Eve! ;D
Bleigießen (pron. BLYE-ghee-sen)
“Lead pouring” (das Bleigießen) is an old practice using molten lead like tea leaves. A small amount of lead is melted in a tablesthingy (by holding a flame under the sthingy) and then poured into a bowl or bucket of water. The resulting pattern is interpreted to predict the coming year. For instance, if the lead forms a ball (der Ball), that means luck will roll your way. The shape of an anchor (der Anker) means help in need. But a cross (das Kreuz) signifies death.
Feuerwerk (pron. FOY-er-VEHRK)
Fireworks on New Year's Eve (Silvester) are not unique to German-speaking Europe. People all over the world use fireworks (private or government-sponsored) to welcome in the New Year and drive out evil spirits with loud noises and sparkling, flashing pyrotechnics.
Feuerzangenbowle (pron. FOY-er-TSANGEN-bow-luh)
In addition to champagne or Sekt (German sparkling wine), wine, or beer, Feuerzangenbowle ("flaming fire tongs punch") is a popular traditional German New Year's drink. The only drawback for this tasty punch is that it is more complicated to prepare than a normal bottled or canned beverage. Part of the popularity of Feuerzangenbowle is based on a classic novel of the same name by Heinrich Spoerl (1887-1955) and the 1944 film version starring the popular German actor Heinz Rühmann. The hot punch drink's main ingredients are Rotwein, Rum, Orangen, Zitronen, Zimt und Gewürznelken (red wine, rum, oranges, lemons, cinnamon and cloves).
Recipe:
Bowle/Punch
3 bottles of red wine (2-3 liters total)
2 cinnamon sticks
cardamom
allspice
1-2 oranges
1-2 lemons
5 cloves
Neujahrskarte (pron. NOY-yahrs-KAR-tuh)
Some Germans prefer to send a New Year's card rather than a Christmas card. They wish their friends and family "Ein gutes und gesegnetes neues Jahr!" ("a good and blessed New Year") or simply "Prosit Neujahr!" ("Happy New Year!"). Some also use the New Year's card to tell family and friends about events in their life during the past year.
Information taken from: german.about.com/library/blsilvester.htm
Bleigießen (pron. BLYE-ghee-sen)
“Lead pouring” (das Bleigießen) is an old practice using molten lead like tea leaves. A small amount of lead is melted in a tablesthingy (by holding a flame under the sthingy) and then poured into a bowl or bucket of water. The resulting pattern is interpreted to predict the coming year. For instance, if the lead forms a ball (der Ball), that means luck will roll your way. The shape of an anchor (der Anker) means help in need. But a cross (das Kreuz) signifies death.
Feuerwerk (pron. FOY-er-VEHRK)
Fireworks on New Year's Eve (Silvester) are not unique to German-speaking Europe. People all over the world use fireworks (private or government-sponsored) to welcome in the New Year and drive out evil spirits with loud noises and sparkling, flashing pyrotechnics.
Feuerzangenbowle (pron. FOY-er-TSANGEN-bow-luh)
In addition to champagne or Sekt (German sparkling wine), wine, or beer, Feuerzangenbowle ("flaming fire tongs punch") is a popular traditional German New Year's drink. The only drawback for this tasty punch is that it is more complicated to prepare than a normal bottled or canned beverage. Part of the popularity of Feuerzangenbowle is based on a classic novel of the same name by Heinrich Spoerl (1887-1955) and the 1944 film version starring the popular German actor Heinz Rühmann. The hot punch drink's main ingredients are Rotwein, Rum, Orangen, Zitronen, Zimt und Gewürznelken (red wine, rum, oranges, lemons, cinnamon and cloves).
Recipe:
Bowle/Punch
3 bottles of red wine (2-3 liters total)
2 cinnamon sticks
cardamom
allspice
1-2 oranges
1-2 lemons
5 cloves
Neujahrskarte (pron. NOY-yahrs-KAR-tuh)
Some Germans prefer to send a New Year's card rather than a Christmas card. They wish their friends and family "Ein gutes und gesegnetes neues Jahr!" ("a good and blessed New Year") or simply "Prosit Neujahr!" ("Happy New Year!"). Some also use the New Year's card to tell family and friends about events in their life during the past year.
Information taken from: german.about.com/library/blsilvester.htm
Very interesting information you have assembled here Herr Minister.