FabSwingers.com forum: Does anyone remember the old tradition

By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

of gifting people who moved into a new home a tin with a piece of coal, a candle, matches, a piece of bread and salt in?

They were supposed to be so you always have heat, food and light I think. Not sure what the salt was for and can't remember if there was anything else in the tin.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

Salt was probably for killing the slugs in the garden/yard, so they could grow tomatoes or sweet peas

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

I remember the coal and bread.

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"Salt was probably for killing the slugs in the garden/yard, so they could grow tomatoes or sweet peas

Lol knowing my uncle who gave it to us that's probably true.

My mum hated slugs.

I think it was also something food related.

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"I remember the coal and bread. "

I think different places had different traditions.

My uncle gave my mum an old tobacco tin that was filled up.

I keep thinking there was a needle and thread in there too.

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By *educing_EmCouple
over a year ago

Tipperary

I've never heard of it but I'd guess that the salt is to keep bad energy out?

Em x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

This sounds like a variation of an old Jewish custom. "Bread that this house may never know hunger salt that life may always have flavor and wine that joy & prosperity may reign forever."

Bess x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We do coal in scotland on hogmany x

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By *offiaCoolWoman
over a year ago

Kidsgrove

"We do coal in scotland on hogmany x"

And lots of alcohol

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By *ou only live onceMan
over a year ago

London

No, I'd never heard of that, but we used to leave coal by the door on New Year's Eve...

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"I've never heard of it but I'd guess that the salt is to keep bad energy out?

Em x"

No it wasn't anything to do with bad energy.

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"This sounds like a variation of an old Jewish custom. "Bread that this house may never know hunger salt that life may always have flavor and wine that joy & prosperity may reign forever."

Bess x"

Something like that with heat and light too.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

"This sounds like a variation of an old Jewish custom. "Bread that this house may never know hunger salt that life may always have flavor and wine that joy & prosperity may reign forever."

Bess x"

This is also very possible in an East London community, as so many Jewish immigrants settled there from the 19th century.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"We do coal in scotland on hogmany x

And lots of alcohol

100%

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

Coal was given too at new year, plus ringing bells and first footing.

People don't seem to do any of that any more.

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By *ou only live onceMan
over a year ago

London

"I've never heard of it but I'd guess that the salt is to keep bad energy out?

Em x"

I know this thread is not just about New Year, but we did the energy thing. Front and back doors open at midnight so good luck came in and bad luck left!

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By *educing_EmCouple
over a year ago

Tipperary

"I've never heard of it but I'd guess that the salt is to keep bad energy out?

Em x

I know this thread is not just about New Year, but we did the energy thing. Front and back doors open at midnight so good luck came in and bad luck left!"

My Nan used to do that.

She would also light a candle for luck during exams or if someone was sick

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"I've never heard of it but I'd guess that the salt is to keep bad energy out?

Em x

I know this thread is not just about New Year, but we did the energy thing. Front and back doors open at midnight so good luck came in and bad luck left!"

We've done that too.

Don't think it's worked for me

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

"of gifting people who moved into a new home a tin with a piece of coal, a candle, matches, a piece of bread and salt in?

They were supposed to be so you always have heat, food and light I think. Not sure what the salt was for and can't remember if there was anything else in the tin.

Salt was/is believed to be a barrier that evil spirits cannot cross.Salt in a doorway,window,chimney etc.

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By *avexxMan
over a year ago

cheshire

"of gifting people who moved into a new home a tin with a piece of coal, a candle, matches, a piece of bread and salt in?

They were supposed to be so you always have heat, food and light I think. Not sure what the salt was for and can't remember if there was anything else in the tin.

Salt was/is believed to be a barrier that evil spirits cannot cross.Salt in a doorway,window,chimney etc."
,, this

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By *uke_silverMan
over a year ago

London

I don't know any of these - can you get coal nowadays? (I guess it'd be charcoal instead)

But I would've guessed salt was to flavour, and results of Google-fu seem to agree: Bread to symbolize never knowing hunger and salt to represent life always having flavor.

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"of gifting people who moved into a new home a tin with a piece of coal, a candle, matches, a piece of bread and salt in?

They were supposed to be so you always have heat, food and light I think. Not sure what the salt was for and can't remember if there was anything else in the tin.

Salt was/is believed to be a barrier that evil spirits cannot cross.Salt in a doorway,window,chimney etc."

It wasn't anything to do with evil spirits.

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By *avexxMan
over a year ago

cheshire

"of gifting people who moved into a new home a tin with a piece of coal, a candle, matches, a piece of bread and salt in?

They were supposed to be so you always have heat, food and light I think. Not sure what the salt was for and can't remember if there was anything else in the tin.

Salt was/is believed to be a barrier that evil spirits cannot cross.Salt in a doorway,window,chimney etc.

It wasn't anything to do with evil spirits."
,, now i honestly thought it was

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By *asterR and slut mayaMan
over a year ago

Bradford

I bought an artificial coal effect fire

And to my surprise. It has real coal

On it .

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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago

Newcastle

Salt was too ward off the evil unless the bread was lacking it

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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago

Newcastle

Now days it'd be a kit for a junkies

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

"of gifting people who moved into a new home a tin with a piece of coal, a candle, matches, a piece of bread and salt in?

They were supposed to be so you always have heat, food and light I think. Not sure what the salt was for and can't remember if there was anything else in the tin.

Salt was/is believed to be a barrier that evil spirits cannot cross.Salt in a doorway,window,chimney etc.

It wasn't anything to do with evil spirits.,, now i honestly thought it was"

Salt is believed to be a barrier.Poured in a circle it is believed to protect those inside.In a line a barrier that can't be crossed.Some people carried salt in a bag in their pocket for journeys at night,even walking home.Traces have been found in aforementioned windows etc,along with apotropaic marks in wood or stone, innacurately called "witch marks"

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By *ou only live onceMan
over a year ago

London

"I've never heard of it but I'd guess that the salt is to keep bad energy out?

Em x

I know this thread is not just about New Year, but we did the energy thing. Front and back doors open at midnight so good luck came in and bad luck left!

We've done that too.

Don't think it's worked for me

Or maybe it has, and your luck would have been worse if you hadn't done it?!

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"of gifting people who moved into a new home a tin with a piece of coal, a candle, matches, a piece of bread and salt in?

They were supposed to be so you always have heat, food and light I think. Not sure what the salt was for and can't remember if there was anything else in the tin.

Salt was/is believed to be a barrier that evil spirits cannot cross.Salt in a doorway,window,chimney etc.

It wasn't anything to do with evil spirits.,, now i honestly thought it was

I know, but that wasn't the reason salt was given as gifts with coal and bread.

It was nothing to do with spirits.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

"of gifting people who moved into a new home a tin with a piece of coal, a candle, matches, a piece of bread and salt in?

They were supposed to be so you always have heat, food and light I think. Not sure what the salt was for and can't remember if there was anything else in the tin.

Salt was/is believed to be a barrier that evil spirits cannot cross.Salt in a doorway,window,chimney etc.

It wasn't anything to do with evil spirits.,, now i honestly thought it was

I know, but that wasn't the reason salt was given as gifts with coal and bread.

It was nothing to do with spirits."

Maybe the salt was for the tequila?

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

"Salt was too ward off the evil unless the bread was lacking it "

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"of gifting people who moved into a new home a tin with a piece of coal, a candle, matches, a piece of bread and salt in?

They were supposed to be so you always have heat, food and light I think. Not sure what the salt was for and can't remember if there was anything else in the tin.

Salt was/is believed to be a barrier that evil spirits cannot cross.Salt in a doorway,window,chimney etc.

It wasn't anything to do with evil spirits.,, now i honestly thought it was

I know, but that wasn't the reason salt was given as gifts with coal and bread.

It was nothing to do with spirits.

Maybe the salt was for the tequila?

They forgot the lemons

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"Salt was too ward off the evil unless the bread was lacking it

Nope. Nothing to do with evil spirits.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

"of gifting people who moved into a new home a tin with a piece of coal, a candle, matches, a piece of bread and salt in?

They were supposed to be so you always have heat, food and light I think. Not sure what the salt was for and can't remember if there was anything else in the tin.

Salt was/is believed to be a barrier that evil spirits cannot cross.Salt in a doorway,window,chimney etc.

It wasn't anything to do with evil spirits.,, now i honestly thought it was

I know, but that wasn't the reason salt was given as gifts with coal and bread.

It was nothing to do with spirits.

Maybe the salt was for the tequila?

They forgot the lemons

When life gives you lemons.......

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

First post:- "not sure what the salt was for"

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"First post:- "not sure what the salt was for""

But definitely nothing to do with evil spirits.

Believe me, I know my family.

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By *ormerWelshcouple2020Man
over a year ago

Stourbridge

Salt was wealth. Roman legionaries we’re part paid in salt as it was expensive and signified wrath and prosperity

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

And there was a coin in the box too.

I knew there was something else.

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"Salt was wealth. Roman legionaries we’re part paid in salt as it was expensive and signified wrath and prosperity "

I'm not that old

I think it was to do with cooking.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

"And there was a coin in the box too.

I knew there was something else."

That was to do the Lotto scratch card

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By *ormerWelshcouple2020Man
over a year ago

Stourbridge

"And there was a coin in the box too.

I knew there was something else."

Same as always putting a coin in a new bag if you have one as a present

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

"Salt was wealth. Roman legionaries we’re part paid in salt as it was expensive and signified wrath and prosperity "

Where the word Salary comes from

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By *ormerWelshcouple2020Man
over a year ago

Stourbridge

"Salt was wealth. Roman legionaries we’re part paid in salt as it was expensive and signified wrath and prosperity

I'm not that old

I think it was to do with cooking. "

It really was the tradition, I’m not joking.

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

A coin for Charon.

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"Salt was wealth. Roman legionaries we’re part paid in salt as it was expensive and signified wrath and prosperity

I'm not that old

I think it was to do with cooking.

It really was the tradition, I’m not joking. "

I think the coin was for wealth.

There were probably differences around the country in who gave what for whatever.

My mum's family grew up in East London.

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"And there was a coin in the box too.

I knew there was something else.

Same as always putting a coin in a new bag if you have one as a present "

My mum always put a coin in a purse or bag she bought us.

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"A coin for Charon."

Nobody died.

We moved house

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

If the coin was for wealth what was the salt for?

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

"A coin for Charon.

Nobody died.

We moved house

No one has to have died or be about to die for the superstition of Charon.It was there for the inevitable,whenever that may be.

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By *apnDomMan
over a year ago

London | Belfast

You brits have weird customs

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By *ad Nanna OP Woman
over a year ago

East London

"A coin for Charon.

Nobody died.

We moved house

No one has to have died or be about to die for the superstition of Charon.It was there for the inevitable,whenever that may be."

Not in my family.

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

Marching through the streets in bowler hats with orange sashes.Saluting moles.Bealtine.Crowning a goat as King Puck.Burning towers of pallets.

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

"A coin for Charon.

Nobody died.

We moved house

No one has to have died or be about to die for the superstition of Charon.It was there for the inevitable,whenever that may be.

Not in my family. "

Didn't say your family.The superstition.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Just looked up the salt.

It has different meanings to different cultural backgrounds.

It can be:

1. To ensure your life always had flavour.

2. To ward off evil.

3. To ensure good luck and prosperity.

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By *orphia2003Woman
over a year ago

Tonypandy.

My parents actually gifted me this when I bought my house 3 years ago. Did the same for my brothers too

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By *TG3Man
over a year ago

Dorchester

"of gifting people who moved into a new home a tin with a piece of coal, a candle, matches, a piece of bread and salt in?

They were supposed to be so you always have heat, food and light I think. Not sure what the salt was for and can't remember if there was anything else in the tin.

"
salt for cooking everyone used salt for cooking in them days

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By *rontetownMan
over a year ago

Cleckheaton

Used to be a similar thing in countryside in yorkshire at new year, called first footing (1st foot in the door) for good luck in year 1st person through door brought coal,bread,and a coin(if memory serves. I remember grandparents mentioning it)

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