Page 5 - Italian-American Herald - January 2024

ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERALD
CALENDAR
represent money, because their shape is similar to small money that was used in ancient times.
Also traditionally on the table is la melagrana (a pomegranate) which comes from a sacred plant with ties to Giunone or Juno who was the ancient Roman divinity of marriage and childbirth with connections to Venere (Venus). Its place on the table represents longevity, fertility, and richness.
During the initial stages of Christianity, the Church in Rome celebrated Jan. 1 with
a feast that celebrated the Natale or birth
of the mother of God. This later became eclipsed by the feasts of the Annunciation and Assumption which were adapted by Constantine at the beginning of the 7th century when it was celebrated as the “eighth day.” It is written in Luke 2:21 that this was the day Mary’s son was named Jesus. In the 13th or 14th century Rome began to celebrate the day as the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord and the Octave of the Nativity. The holiday had gone through several name changes when, in 1969, the revision to an earlier Roman Missal changed it to the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary.
Italians have a number of traditions they practice for New Year’s, some of which are the same as in the United States. Fireworks
JANUARY2024 | ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM 5
Maurizio Palmulli, aka Mr. OK, leads an annual New Year’s tradition in Rome by jumping into the Tiber River.
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Alfa Romeo & Maserati of Wilmington Pike piazzadelaware.com