Undoubtedly, the folk holiday of Ivan Kupala absorbed the most mysterious and romantic signs and beliefs from the ancient Slavic ancestors. Following the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, the summer solstice (June 24) was moved as the celebration date to July 7. And the ritual part of the celebration is directly related to fire, water and herbs.
Popular belief has brought the basic information about the holiday of Ivan Kupala to our time. The main celebration begins on July 6 at sunset and continues until dawn on July 7. This night is considered mystical and miraculous, since at this time all evil spirits, including witches, Mavoks and mermaids, gather for their Sabbath. And the forces of fire, water and herbs acquire healing and magical properties.
It is accepted that after dinner on July 6, the girls begin to collect herbs and flowers in order to weave wreaths. The main characters of the holiday are Kupala and Marena. The first character represents abundance and rebirth, while the second personifies dying and withering. Young people pre-make their stuffed animals. Regional traditions have different variations. Known methods of making stuffed animals from young trees, bush branches and straw. They are necessarily decorated with ribbons and gifts of nature.
It is customary to lead round dances around the stuffed animals, personifying the cycle in nature, and to carry out ritual chants. After the glorification of the miraculous forces of the universe, the stuffed animals were drowned in water or burned, and the holiday lasted until dawn around the Kupala bonfire.
The history of the origin of the holiday of Ivan Kupala
After the baptism of Russia, the pagan tradition of celebrating Ivan Kupala was timed to coincide with the Orthodox celebration - the Nativity of John the Baptist. It is with this saint that the first part of the modern name of the popular holiday is associated. The second component of the name is considered more mysterious and has several interpretations, among which there is one that connects it with a certain pagan deity Kupala, who patronized fruits and flowers. However, modern theology rejects this kind of etymology, believing that this character never existed in the Slavic pantheon of gods.
Thus, the name "Kupala" today is recognized by the majority precisely as a designation of a thematic rite. The historical roots of this folk festival go back to the era when church officials tried to supplant a pagan holiday, replacing it exclusively with an Orthodox one. The priests very strongly condemned the participants in this action, considering them worshipers of evil spirits and demonic saints.
Kupala bonfire, healing water and magical herbs
Since ancient times, it was believed that on the night of July 6-7, fire becomes truly cleansing and miraculous. That is why the ritual bonfire is considered the main attribute of the holiday. He personifies the sun, and therefore becomes large enough. In addition, a pillar is installed in the central part of the fire pit, on which the skull of a horse or cow is strung ("vidma"). Around a large pillar of fire, people dance, dance and sing songs. After the flame diminishes after burning out, the youth begin a ritual of purification and healing as boys and girls jump over the fire.
The girl who could not overcome the flame is perceived by everyone as a witch. In this case, it is doused with water, sprinkled with feathers or evaporated with nettles. And young couples in this ritual test their union for strength. It is believed that in the event of overcoming the fire with closed hands, such a family will be strong and inseparable. In addition, it is customary to burn unnecessary things and clothes of sick people at the stake, as this helps to get rid of troubles and ailments. There are cases when even livestock was driven through a bathing fire, trying to get rid of its death and pestilence.
Water is also saturated with special power on this holiday. It is believed that on Ivan Kupala, this element acquires a special healing property. Therefore, the ritual of ablution is considered mandatory in many regions. At the same time, not only the body is cleansed, but also the soul. Ailments and diseases recede along with bad thoughts. Moreover, all the evil spirits leave such reservoirs, rushing to their own sabbaths. However, folk traditions are known in some places, when mass bathing on this night, on the contrary, was excluded due to the rampant of the dark forces. But even in this case, washing in the morning dew is recommended, which brings beauty to girls and health to guys. Especially on Ivan Kupala, it is recommended to take a steam bath, using special brooms knitted from 12 herbs that have healing power.
The historical legacy of Midsummer's Day has carried to our days the legend about the miraculous effects of many herbs. At dawn on July 7, healers and herbalists usually went out for a healing collection, when all the vegetation was covered with bathing dew. As a rule, such blanks were accompanied by the recitation of special conspiracies designed to enhance the healing properties of the harvested plants. Since ancient times, the Slavic population firmly believed that all medicinal herbs are grown by Mavka (forest spirits), which specifically reward them with such qualities. And in Belarus, for example, it is still believed that the collection of medicinal plants should be carried out precisely by the elderly and children, who have the purest souls.
Sun symbols and fern color
Since Midsummer's Day was previously celebrated on June 24 (on the day of the summer solstice), then the main attributes of this holiday are associated precisely with this luminary. In this regard, the guys launched lighted barrels with a tarred surface from various heights, which at night were very symbolically identified by everyone with the solar cycle. Another must-have attribute of the holiday is a wreath. After all, Slavic mythology attributes this girlish accessory to the sun, pure and youthfulness.
Among the epic legends about the day of Ivan Kupala, the most popular is the legendary story of a fern flower. It is believed to bloom once a year on this particular night. If a person can find such a flower at that magical moment when he is guarded by evil spirits, then the lucky one will become the owner of many supernatural qualities, including the ability to understand the language of any living creature, finding treasures, controlling the elements and spirits, gaining optical invisibility.
Signs and beliefs
Among the most famous thematic signs, one should highlight those related to girlish wreaths woven from herbs, flowers and berries. These magical items are designed to be lowered into a pond and washed face by scooping up handfuls of water inside a wreath. These actions ensured a healthy complexion and shine in the eyes. However, the main magic began when the girls separated from the guys and, with wreaths to which lighted candles were attached, began to swim in the pond. At this time, each owner of the ritual object closely watched him. After all, the prediction of the future of a potential bride depended on how he would behave in the water.
If the wreath floated far enough from the hostess, then this meant a quick wedding. And when he began to circle in one place, this indicated the postponement of the long-awaited event by one year. The most negative result is considered to be the case of drowning the wreath. Then the unfortunate girl is prophesied loneliness to death. It is noteworthy that the guys at this time, as a rule, do not withdraw themselves, but carefully observe the process of fortune-telling. If one of them manages to catch a wreath in the water, then the chosen one should give such a dodger a kiss.
Popular belief says that on the night of Ivan Kupala, trees begin to move, and all living things acquire the ability to speak. And a lot of fireflies in a dark forest means a massive invasion of the souls of dead ancestors. In addition, mermaids, mavki, brownies, goblin and other unclean spirits are very much activated at this time, having fun at themed gulbis. However, it is the witches who should be wary of, who on this night begin to rampage at their Sabbaths.
It is for this reason that girls who did not come to the festive fire were considered witches. Since ancient times, people have used various amulets to protect themselves from supernatural forces, which were made from hemp, nettle, wormwood, aspen, willow and other plants. Even old and worn men's pants could be used, which in this case were supposed to protect cow's milk or a horse from witches. And for young people, the night on Ivan Kupala was considered the only opportunity to have fun in the dark without judging adults.
