In Russia, there was a beautiful custom to shout "Bitter!" To newlyweds at weddings. So the vociferous guest made it clear to those present that the wine was served on the table unsweetened. But as soon as the "young" kiss sweetly, the wine will immediately acquire a honey taste. There is one more proverb with a similar meaning: "There is weed wine in a glass." Once again, the kiss of the couple sweetened the drink. Where does this beautiful custom originate from?
Instructions
Step 1
In Russia, traditionally, it was customary to play weddings mainly in winter, on Krasnaya Gorka. The strictest Great Lent is coming to an end, the fields are covered with snow, there is no agricultural work, the cellars are bursting with supplies, you can set a rich table and take a walk as you should.
In the courtyard of the bride, it was customary to pour a large slide and fill it with water for smoothness. The groom redeemed the bride not only with gifts and money, but also with heroic deeds. The red maiden was waiting for her betrothed at the top of the mountain with her friends. On command and to the cheering shouts of the guests "Gorka!" the groom and his friends climbed the slippery mountain. When the betrothed and his assistants managed to conquer the icy peak, he sweetly kissed the bride, and his retinue demanded kisses from unknown friends. And then everyone shouted "Gorka!" together rolled down the ice slide.
Step 2
There is another, more obvious version. At all times, a personal greeting of the hostess or the owner of the table, no matter how many guests came, was considered a sign of hospitality. Therefore, during the wedding, the bride had to walk around each guest, holding a tray with a single glass filled to the brim with vodka. The guest puts down the money and takes a glass, drinks it to the bottom and says “Bitter!”, Highly appreciating the taste of the drink and confirming its authenticity. By the way, this custom of hospitality is observed to this day. If the wedding is celebrated in the traditional Russian style, then the bride or her assistants bypass the guests, exchanging a bitter glass of vodka with a pancake for gifts and money.
Step 3
And, finally, rather, a pagan theory of the origin of the beautiful custom of “bitter” a wedding. Even before the baptism of Russia, people were incredibly superstitious, worshiped good spirits, believed in evil spirits and that evil spirits were ready to interfere with human happiness. To deceive the otherworldly force, the guests at the wedding had to shout "Bitterly!" As loudly and often as possible. as if to confirm that life is bad in this house, bitter food, unpleasant owners. The deceived evil spirits enjoyed pseudo-suffering and, satisfied, left the wedding - to look for happy people.
