Comments on The end of the year and time to burn the old man. An old cultural practice

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Straightforward, I think it is a religious term.   My dad always said "the old man" is Satan.

posted by TAPS. on January 3, 2006 at 7:14 PM | link to this | reply

Perhaps it could mean that the older people should get rid of ideas that are no longer useful and never were good ideas in the first place. However, it should work both ways....younger generations should take a look at the old ideas and consider which ones are worth retaining. lt's all in the interpretation.

posted by babe_rocks on December 22, 2005 at 6:13 AM | link to this | reply

StraightForward

Hello.. This is the first time that I've heard of this custom ( interesting)  I have always had respect for the elderly and now that I am reaching my later years. I do wonder what some of the younger generation are thinking.

posted by BrightIrish on December 19, 2005 at 7:51 PM | link to this | reply

Stright

Why not? I mean, go for it! Burn him...it's okay!!

I keep my previous burns in my closet!

posted by Offy on December 18, 2005 at 5:50 PM | link to this | reply

That is a rather disturbing custom to me

 I am a wuss though and easily disturbed...

posted by FactorFiction on December 15, 2005 at 7:45 PM | link to this | reply

Tiel, at the end of the year, it is symbolic to make an old man out of hay

and burn him - signifying the ringing out of the old and the ringing in of the new. The point I am making is that it is often said that sometimes these symbolisms sink in the wrong way and people begin absorbing the message they figure out from the symbolism and the real purpose of that symbolism is forgotten. So could t at one stage begin to look like this: That when a person is old, he's unproductive, you eliminate him?

posted by Straightforward on December 15, 2005 at 6:21 PM | link to this | reply

Straightforward

Please go into a little more detail.  I am confused by your latest post, but I want to understand what you're saying.

posted by Tiel on December 15, 2005 at 11:38 AM | link to this | reply

I hate the whole politically correct thing...and as long as he isn't still

alive, what's the harm?

posted by Original_Influence on December 15, 2005 at 4:33 AM | link to this | reply