Since ancient times, the wedding ceremony has been like a theatrical performance. It was not for nothing that the expression “to play a wedding” appeared. Perhaps as interesting as the wedding itself was the matchmaking rite that preceded it.
Preparing for matchmaking
Usually the groom's family chose worthy and respected matchmakers and sent them on the road. At the same time, even if the bride lived in a neighboring hut, they were going on the road so carefully, as if they had to go to distant lands. All the signs that foreshadow the successful completion of the matchmaking were strictly observed. To begin with, during the stay in the house of the matchmakers, cats and dogs, considered unclean animals, were expelled from it. In deep silence they sat down at the table, on which the groom's mother put a loaf of bread and salt - ancient symbols of happiness and prosperity.
Traditional rite of matchmaking
When entering the bride's house, matchmakers also observed certain traditions. The matchmaker had to enter the hut with his right foot and hit the threshold with his heel, so that the bride would not “back away,” that is, did not refuse the groom. In the house, the matchmakers were obliged to stand under the "matitsa" - a transverse beam that served as a support for the ceiling. Traditionally, matchmaking took place in sublime, poetic terms. The groom was called "prince" and "clear month", the bride - "princess" and "red sun". Before getting married, the bride had to hide behind a curtain, cry and complain to relatives about her sad fate. All this was done in order to deceive the "evil spirits", which, upon seeing a happy bride, could harm her.
If the bride's father agreed to the marriage, he led her by the hand to the groom. The girl seemed to be reluctant to obey him, but after the groom circled her three times and put her next to him, she expressed humility with all her appearance.
Since ancient times, a circle has been considered a traditional symbol of marriage. Rings, wreaths and round loaves became its incarnations. In pagan times, as a sign of the conclusion of a marriage union, the young were circled around a tree. It is not for nothing that the word "okrut" to this day means "to marry."
After the prenuptial agreement was made, the matchmakers and the father of the bride beat on the hands, and the groom left a "deposit" - something from clothing items or a certain amount of money. Then the bride was covered with a handkerchief, protecting her from the evil eye, and the tow was burned on her spinning wheel, which symbolized the transition from girlhood to marriage. From that moment on, the girl was considered a "conspiracy", now she had to wear a dark scarf and appear in public as little as possible.
The matchmaking of the bride was a very responsible and important matter. True, at that time it was not the mutual sympathy of young people that came to the fore, but the conclusion of a property agreement between their families.
