Ein Blick in die Zukunft: The German Custom of Bleigiessen
This poem accompanies such a list in a Silvesterblei set:
In der Silvester-Nacht
wird das Blei zum Schmelzen gebracht.
Es wird gekippt in Wasser, kalt und klar;
rate, was stellen die Figuren dar?
Schau sie an, so wie sie sind;
rätst die Gestalt du nicht geschwind.
Halt sie hinters Licht,
das Schattenbild dir mehr verspricht.
Kommt es dir nicht in den Sinn,
schau auf dieses Büchlein hin.
Es sagt dir frank und frei,
so allerlei...!
How to do it - online or with a set
Translation help is always at Translate.google.com
| Deutung der gegossenen Bleifiguren: | Meaning |
| Acker (field) | luck and happiness |
| ähren (grain head) | your wishes will be fulfilled |
| Adler (eagle) | profit in your job |
| Amboss (anvil) | be careful with your job |
| Anker (anchor) | you will receive help from others |
| Apfel (apple) | your trust will be broken |
| Auto (car) | promising venture or enterprise |
| Automat (vending machine) | be careful with spending |
| Baum (tree) | growth in your capabilities |
| Becher (mug) | luck and health |
| Beil (axe) | disappointment in love |
| Besen (broom) | conflict or small argument |
| Beutel (bag) | unexpected luck |
| Biene (bee) | prospect of marriage |
| Blumen (flowers) | new friendships will develop |
| Bock (ram) | expect an inheritance |
| Bombe (bomb) | you will escape danger |
| Boten mit Brief (messenger with letter) | you will receive important news soon |
| Brille (glasses) | you will live to be old |
| Brücke (bridge) | you will form new ties |
| Brunnen (fountain) | deep love for everyone |
| Burg (fortress) | you wish for change |
| Chrysanthemen (Chrysanthemum) | someone needs your help |
| Degen (sword) | cutting change |
| Denkmal (monument) | you overestimate yourself |
| Dolch (dagger) | you will be victorious |
| Dreieck (triangle) | finances improve |
| Ei (egg) | your family will grow |
| Eidechse (lizard) | big annoyance that goes away quickly |
| Eimer (pail) | satisfaction with relationships |
| Eisenbahn (train) | departure from a friend |
| Elefant (elephant) | you have good powers of comprehension |
| Engel (angel) | good will come to you |
| Erdwall (earthen dam) | you will be successful only through trouble |
| Fahne, wehend (waving flag) | your heart and thoughts are in different places |
| Falke (falcon) | someone is jealous of you |
| Faust (fist) | you feel that you have been pushed back |
| Feder (feather) | change in your home |
| Felsen (cliffs) | much work to come |
| Fische (fish) | people are talking about you |
| Flakon (phial, small bottle) | don't let anyone "pull your leg" |
| Flasche (bottle) | happy times to come |
| Flugzeug (airplane) | good luck in open competition |
| Frosch (frog) | you will eventually win much money in a lotterie |
| Gabel (fork) | quarrels and arguments |
| Galgen (gallows) | be wary of false friends |
| Garten (garden) | new love in your path |
| Gebüsch (bush) | acknowledge the accomplishments of others |
| Geweih (antlers) | misfortune in love |
| Gewichte (scales) | success in business |
| Gitarre (guitar) | secret longings |
| Glocke (bell) | inheritance coming into view |
| Gondel (gondola) | an adventure is approaching |
| Hahn (rooster) | be careful of fire |
| Haken (hook) | obstacles will come into your path |
| Hammer (hammer) | you will get your way |
| Hase (rabbit) | hang onto your luck |
| Haus (house) | your ventures will go well |
| Hose (pants) | you will be ridiculed |
| Hufeisen (horseshoe) | good business |
| Hut (hat) | good news |
| Igel (hedgehog) | people are envious of you |
| Insel (island) | you are lonely |
| Kahn (boat) | good luck in your intentions, plans |
| Käfer (beetle) | nice experience in love |
| Kamel (camel) | new duties |
| Kanne (jug) | unpleasantness |
| Kanzel (pulpit) | you like to be right |
| Kapelle (chapel) | longing for peace and quiet |
| Karpfen (carp) | unexpected raise in salary |
| Karussell (merry-go-round) | dumb jokes from acquaintances |
| Kegel (ninepin) | be careful in business |
| Kelch (chalice) | your future will be happy |
| Kirche (church) | you will start a household soon |
| Klee (clover) | satisfaction and luck |
| Korb (basket) | lucky in love |
| Kranz (wreath) | reconciliation in your circle of friends |
| Krone (crown) | you will use official position |
| Kuchen (cake) | festivity is coming |
| Kugel (ball) | don't take your bad mood out on others |
| Kuh (cow) | cure from sickness |
| Lanze (lance) | someone wants to fight with you |
| Leiter (ladder) | advancement in your job |
| Leiter, zerbrechen (broken ladder) | make decisions faster |
| Leuchter (candlestick) | you will "see the light" (understand, get an idea) |
| Leuchtturm (lamppost) | don't give up on your goals |
| Löffel (spoon) | people are talking about you |
| Mauerr (wall) | your perseverance will pay off |
| Mond (moon) | you may expect honor |
| Nagel (nail) | better times coming |
| Nest mit Eiern oder Vögeln (nest w/eggs or birds) | a happy home will soon be started |
| Orgel (organ) | you'll play your way through life |
| Palme (palm tree) | a long-cherished wish will be fulfilled |
| Pantoffel (slipper) | you will get married soon |
| Peitsche (whip) | you need a strong hand |
| Pistole (pistol) | you will cheat in love |
| Pfeife (pipe) | be careful—danger approaches |
| Pflug (plow) | you must work harder at your job |
| Rad (wheel) | big changes coming |
| Regenschirm (umbrella) | be hopeful, and avoid unpleasantness |
| Säge (saw) | a separation, which is advantageous, is coming |
| Säule (pillar) | a wish will remain unfulfilled |
| Segelboot (sailboat) | good advancement in your job |
| Sichel (sicle) | don't scorn the little joys of life |
| Schere (scissors) | important decisions coming |
| Schaukel (swing) | make up your mind |
| Schlange (snake) | people are envious of your success |
| Schlitten (sled) | make your relationships fit yourself |
| Schluessel (key) | let others keep their secrets |
| Schornsteinfeger (chimney sweep) | luck in love |
| Schraubstock (bench vice) | hang on tight to what you have |
| Schwamm (sponge) | clean your soul |
| Schwein (pig) | luck in play, games |
| Schuh (shoe) | you'll have to do a lot of running around soon |
| Spinne (spider) | your luck hangs on a silken thread |
| Storch (stork) | you will travel |
| Stock (stick, staff) | your life will turn around |
| Tänzerin (dancer) | don't take life so seriously |
| Tisch (table) | soon you will be invited to a party |
| Teller (plate) | you'll have opportunity for generosity |
| Tor (gate) | you'll change your place of residence |
| Trauring (engagement ring) | you'll be engaged soon *OR* warning of upcoming escapades |
| Treppen (steps) | new assignments await you |
| Trompete (trumpet) | you will soon gain public office |
| Trichter (funnel) | protect your strength |
| Tunnel (tunnel) | you will recover from a horrible fright |
| Turm (tower) | have more courage in your ____ _______ |
| Urne (urn) | don't grieve about the past |
| Vogel (bird) | good luck coming |
| Wiege (cradle) | you will take part in a baptism |
| Zaun (fence) | you have to explain a misunderstanding |
| Zeppelin (zeppelin) | gleaming advancement opportunities await you |
| Zylinder (top hat) | serious matters ahead |
Eine alte Sitte in der Neujahrsnacht war das Bleigiessen. Die Jugend führte es in den Spinnstubengesellschaften aus. Das in einem Tiegel geschmolzene Blei wurde in kaltes Wasser gegossen, wobei sich mitunter sehr bizarre Formen bildeten, aus welchen die jungen Leute allerlei Schlüsse für ihr bevorstehendes Leben zogen (Berufsaussichten, Eheglück usw.). Am Neujahrstag besuchten früher die Kinder ihre Paten und bekamen für den Neujahrswunsch einen Neujahrsweck und ein Geldgeschenk.
Wachs statt blei. Article urging use of wax instead of poisonous lead.
Glück und Aberglaube, Horoskop and the custom of Bleigiessen
Return to Silvester / New Year's Eve Page