Pagan mirthful new year is a traditional celebration that dates back to ancient times. It is a festive occasion that marks the beginning of a new year according to pagan beliefs and practices. The main characteristic of this celebration is the emphasis on mirth and joy. In pagan cultures, the new year is seen as a time of renewal and rebirth, and it is celebrated with various rituals and festivities. During the pagan mirthful new year, people gather together to welcome the new year with laughter and happiness. It is a time for celebration, dancing, singing, and feasting.
Supporters of the Austrian ski team make music with Powder one of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games mascots as they wait for the start of the weather delayed women's downhill in Snowbasin, Utah on Feb. 11, 2002. (AP Photo/Rudi Blaha)
The mascots for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, from left, Miga, Quatchi and Sumi pose for photographers following their debut to students in Surrey, British Columbia, on Nov. The mascots for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, from left, Miga, Quatchi and Sumi pose for photographers following their debut to students in Surrey, British Columbia, on Nov.
It is a time for celebration, dancing, singing, and feasting. People adorn themselves with bright and colorful costumes and masks, symbolizing the joyful spirit of the occasion. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and anticipation for the year ahead.
Winter Olympic mascots through the years
One was decided by a newspaper poll, one by a public vote and some others through a contest. The most recent was chosen from thousands of global entries of illustrations by children. Over the years, the mascots for the Winter Olympics have been abstract forms, animals and humans.
And they have remained in the public memory.
Bing Dwen Dwen, the cheerful panda, is the official mascot for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, but there were plenty before.
View fullsizeA woman poses for a photo with a statue of the Winter Olympics mascot Bing Dwen Dwen in Beijing, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Shuss, a man on skis in abstract form, was the first official mascot for a Winter Olympics. He was the mascot for the 1968 Grenoble Games, made in the colors of France: blue, red and white.
Norwegian children Haakon and Kristin, dressed in Viking outfits, were the first mascots in human form. The 1994 Lillehammer mascots are said to have been inspired by historical figures Håkon IV Håkonson, the 13th century king of Norway, and his aunt Princess Kristin.
Schneemandl is said to have been a commercial success and inspired versions of living mascots. Austrian for “Snowman,” Schneemandl was the mascot for the 1976 Innsbruck Games.
View fullsizeSnowmen, mascots of the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, appear in Kitzbühel, Austria, Jan. 28, 1975, during World Cup downhill skiing events. (AP Photo)
A wolf isn’t an expected character for a mascot but the 1984 Sarajevo Games transformed an animal known to be feared into a friendly image. In Yugoslavian fables, the wolf symbolizes winter. Vučko the wolf was chosen through a contest with hundreds of participants.
Neve and Gliz were the mascots for the 2006 Turin Olympics. Neve is a snowball and Gliz an ice cube.
In Beijing, Bing Dwen Dwen is everywhere — on buses, at street corners and hanging from the rafters at some official Olympic venues. He is the face that those in a strict Olympic bubble at the Beijing Games will take back with them.
Olympic mascots and a young girl participate in the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Feb. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
A child wears one of the Olympic mascots on his face when watching the women's 1,500-meter speedskating race at the Gangneung Oval at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Feb. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Workers browse their phones next to the mascots for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games near the South Korean booth during the World Winter Sports Expo in Beijing, Sept. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Robotic mascots perform during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Feb. 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
The mascots for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, from left, Miga, Quatchi and Sumi pose for photographers following their debut to students in Surrey, British Columbia, on Nov. 27, 2007. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP)
Children attending the short track skating races in the Palavela Arena cheer with Torino Olympic mascots Neve, left and Gliz at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Feb. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Supporters of the Austrian ski team make music with Powder one of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games mascots as they wait for the start of the weather delayed women's downhill in Snowbasin, Utah on Feb. 11, 2002. (AP Photo/Rudi Blaha)
Snowlets, the Olympic mascots, walk around the stadium prior to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics at Minami Nagano Sports Park in Nagano, Japan on Feb. 7, 1998. (AP Photo/Eric Draper, File)
The wooden mascots of the Winter Olympics watch over one of the main shopping streets on Feb. 8, 1994, in Lillehammer, Norway. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Allison McAbe is framed by all kinds of souvenirs in a Calgary, Alberta, shop on Feb. 7, 1988. (AP Photo/Michel Lipchitz)
Vucko the wolf, the symbol for the XIV winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo's Yugoslavia, dances with Howdy the bear who will be the symbol for the next Winter Games, to be held on Calgary, Alberta, Feb. 19, 1984, at the closing ceremonies for the games in Sarajevo. (AP Photo)
Amela Dizdar, 3, poses with a replica of the Winter Olympics mascot named Vucko in Sarajevo in 1984. The mascot was the creation of Joze Trobec, an academic painter from Kranj in Slovenia. (AP Photo/Bob Dear)
A snowman, mascot of the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, greets children in Kitzbuhel, Austria, during the world downhill ski events, January 1975. (AP Photo)
Bing Dwen Dwen is a little panda in an ice costume. Shuey Ron Ron is a glowing red Chinese lantern. Red is the most festive colour, which is perfect since the Olympics are at the same time as Chinese New Year. And the panda is the most popular animal in China.
In addition to the mirthful celebrations, pagan cultures also incorporate rituals and ceremonies during the new year. These rituals often involve offerings to the gods and goddesses, prayers for a prosperous year, and the casting of spells or charms for good luck. Pagan traditions vary from region to region, but the underlying theme of mirth and joy is always present. The pagan mirthful new year is not only a time for celebration but also a time for reflection and introspection. It is a time to let go of the past and look forward to the future. People take this opportunity to set intentions, make resolutions, and engage in self-improvement practices. It is believed that by doing so, one can align themselves with the natural rhythms of the universe and attract positive energy for the year ahead. Overall, the pagan mirthful new year is a celebration of life, joy, and renewal. It is a time for people to come together, celebrate, and embrace the possibilities of a fresh start. The main idea of this celebration is to cultivate mirth and happiness, as it is believed to bring good fortune and blessings for the coming year..
Reviews for "The Importance of Merriment in Pagan New Year Festivities"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - I came across "Pagan mirthful new year" while searching for a fun and entertaining book to read during the holidays. However, I was extremely disappointed with what I found. The story was poorly written, with shallow and uninteresting characters. The plot was difficult to follow and lacked depth. The humor, which was supposed to be the highlight of the book, fell flat and felt forced. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
2. Mark - 2/5 stars - "Pagan mirthful new year" had the potential to be an interesting and unique story, but it fell short for me. The pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest in the characters and their journey. Additionally, the writing style was overly verbose, making it difficult to stay engaged. The attempts at humor were not funny to me and felt out of place in the overall narrative. While I appreciate the author's attempt to create something different, I personally did not enjoy this book and would not read it again.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was initially intrigued by the idea of a "Pagan mirthful new year" as the premise for a book. However, the execution left much to be desired. The story seemed to lack focus and meandered without a clear direction. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. The attempts at humor were often cringe-worthy and felt forced. While I appreciate the effort put into this book, I ultimately did not find it enjoyable or entertaining.