Shrovetide is the oldest Russian holiday, originally pagan. But he (the only one) was also recognized by the Orthodox Church - it is called Cheese Week according to church canons. From time immemorial, on Maslenitsa in Russia, festivities were organized, baked and ate pancakes, burned a scarecrow, thus seeing off the winter and welcoming spring. The tradition has survived to this day, today Maslenitsa, as well as in the past, is celebrated for a week. And every day of the holiday has its own characteristics.
Instructions
Step 1
On Monday, according to the old tradition, a meeting takes place. They make a doll out of straw, build swings and slides out of snow, begin to bake pancakes. According to tradition, the first pancake should be given to the poor or put on a dormer window in order to regale the souls of deceased parents.
Step 2
On Tuesday, the flirtation was celebrated. It is customary to invite guests for pancakes, ride down the hills, have fun. Unmarried guys look out for brides, and girls guess on their future husband for pancakes. If, for example, the groom eats them with caviar, the house will be a full cup, but the husband is not affectionate; if with butter or red fish, the betrothed will be tender, but will not help with the housework; if with sugar - will love children; and with jam - will change.
Step 3
Wednesday is the so-called gourmet. On this day, tables are laid everywhere, stalls beckon buyers, offering a variety of delicacies. It is on Wednesday that the mother-in-law calls her son-in-law for pancakes and treats him to the bone, treating him to pancakes with various fillings.
Step 4
Thursday - take a walk, this is the time for men's entertainment: fist fights, tug-of-war, storming snow fortresses. On this day, families go for a sleigh ride, and a merry man sits on a pole installed on a separate sled and entertains the audience.
Step 5
On Friday, when mother-in-law evenings are celebrated, sons-in-law of their mother-in-law are already calling for pancakes. In the old days it was believed that the more people come to invite a woman to such gatherings, the more respect she is shown.
Step 6
On Saturday, sister-in-law's gatherings take place, that is, the daughter-in-law invites her sister-in-law to visit for pancakes. If they are married, then the married relatives should be called, and if not married, then the unmarried should be invited. According to tradition, the daughter-in-law should prepare gifts for all guests.
Step 7
Sunday is considered a forgiveness day. It is customary to ask everyone for forgiveness - first of all, from the ancestors, then - from each other, for the wrongs inflicted in the current year. After that, everyone goes to the bathhouse to wash, and in the evening they burn a carnival effigy, make fires, and in them - old things. It is believed that not only winter but also death burns in the flame.
