Feast of the top of the summer - Ivan Kupala. Traditions, rites, games on Ivan Kupala

The traditions, rites and features of the celebration of Ivan Kupala.

Content

Ivan Kupala is a cheerful holiday during which girls let wreaths into the water to find out from which shore the narrowed will come. On this day, the youth jumps through the fire and has fun.

When did they start to celebrate Ivan Kupala? history of the holiday

Initially, this is a pagan holiday that the Church did not recognize. On this day, people glorified the sun god. They believed that it was on June 24 that in the old style there was a meeting of fire and water. In fact, this is the holiday of the summer solstice. This is the holiday of two deities of Mara and Kupala. Mara is considered a feminine.

Of course, the church did not recognize pagan traditions, but in its own way she decided to eradicate the celebration. Instead of the sun god, John the Baptist began to glorify on this day. But the traditions of jumping through the fire and letting the wreaths are preserved.

The main tradition is jumping through the fire. The meaning of the rite

It is believed that by jumping over the fire, on the night of July 6 to 7, the body will be cleansed of diseases and evil thoughts. But for this to happen, it is worth it to prepare for the rite properly. It is necessary to collect branches of male and female trees, for example, beech, oak, maple, mountain ash, alder and pine. The branches are laid out in the form of a pyramid and set on fire. Before the jump, you need to ask the fire to pick up diseases and problems.

Previously, a fortune -telling was carried out with the help of a fire. To do this, the couple in love must jump over the fire, holding hands. If lovers do not disconnect the palms in the jump, they will live together until the end of their lives. Rounders are driven around the fire, sing songs and have fun.

What herbs are collected on Ivan Kupala?

There is a tradition of collecting 12 herbs and weaving wreaths from them. With the help of flower bouquets, fortune -telling is carried out. Girls collect different herbs, because each plant helps in some ways.

Loosestrife - Helps from a hangover and expels evil spirits. Amounts were made from it
Balzamin and Elevil used to attract love. If the girl could not get married for a long time, then she collected these herbs first
Water lily - Helps to go through all obstacles. Take a little such grass with you if you are going to court, or want to get a girl's consent
Rosehip, nettles And other thorny plants collect and burn. It is believed that with the help of such a rite you can get rid of troubles and problems.
Under chernobyl collected charcoal. This tool was considered the best from abdominal pain and weak
Often girls collected barvinok, he helped to attract a lot of grooms
I was very popular trilich. Decoctions were prepared from this grass and washed. It was believed that this plant gives beauty
Fern and thistle Together with the other, 10 herbs were collected and laid under the pillow. At the same time, they asked to come in a dream of a narrow-minded

For a fortune-telling on the groom, the leaves of the plantain were laid under the pillow, while saying: “Trinatnik-nestnian, you live on the road, you see small and old, indicate my narrowed!”

Traditions about fern: what is the fern famous for?

There are many legends around this plant.

According to the first legend, the god of the sun Yarilo, brought fire to the earth. He gave him to those whom he loved. And now once a year, the fern flower lights up with magical fire. It was believed that with this bush you can open any doors. It is on the night of July 7 that the Witches are looking for the color of the fern to penetrate any locks
According to the second legend, it is believed that the fern blooms once a year on Ivan Kupala. The one who is lucky enough to disrupt the color will become the lord of everyone. He will be able to understand the language of animals and birds, as well as read thoughts

When to swim on Ivan Kupala?

It was believed that before Ivan Kupala, all evil spirits live in the water. And exactly at 12 a.m., all witches and ghouls leave the water, and it becomes healing.

It is after midnight that you can safely go into the water. Moreover, this must be done not in the bathroom, but in nature. It should be a lake or a river
In addition, there is a ceremony to go to the bathhouse. Similarly, after midnight, you need to clash the bathhouse and go swimming with a herbal wreath
Grasses are collected preliminarily. This broom should not be thrown away, it is dried and it becomes a kind of amulet

Dousing with water is another tradition of Ivan Kupala

It is believed that after midnight, when it comes on July 7, the water in rivers and reservoirs is saturated with beneficial strength.

It is advisable even before sunrise to swim in the lake. There is a tradition of pouring each other with water. This adds health and heals from all ailments
Couples that can not conceive a child for a long time should undress on the Kupala night and swim in dew. This must be done after midnight and before the first bird pounds. After that, the couple should pour water from each other from the river

Maiden wreaths: a beautiful decoration and another rite

Another paint of the rite can be considered weaving wreaths. The girls that night collected healing herbs and weaved beautiful jewelry on their heads from them. Each unmarried girl made the product in her own way. Further, a candle was placed in the center, it had to be set fire to it.

If the fire was rotten, it promised trouble or illness
If the wreath sailed rapidly, then this meant a quick marriage
If this amulet was spinning on the spot, then walk in girls for a long time
It was believed that if the wreath sailed to some shore, then from the other side you need to wait for matchmakers
The most interesting thing is that the couples in love also launched wreaths. By the way they float, one can judge the future of lovers.
If the wreaths are dispersed, then the couple will not be together

In the case of a joint intersection of the river with wreaths, lovers will go hand in hand all their lives.

Can I sleep on Ivan Kupala? Popular beliefs

You can’t sleep on a bathing night. Old people say that at this time evil spirits come to life, which seeks to cause a lot of harm to people and animals. It is recommended that you do not go to bed so that evil spirits do not master the body and soul. So that evil perfumes do not penetrate the house and shed, nettles are laid near the doorway. It is believed that this plant drives away demons.

Witches, ghouls, mermaids - characters at the festival of Ivan Kupala

It is believed that witches, ghouls and evil spirits come to life on a bathing night. They strive to get to Bald Work, where they arrange orgies and holidays. This place in Kyiv differs from most hills by lack of vegetation. According to legends on Lysya Gora, the main shabash was arranged in the year among mermaids, witches and devils.

Accordingly, this place cannot be visited on Kupala night. In order for evil spirits bypassed, it is worth carrying a branch of fern with you. This plant has a superpower and is a kind of amulet.

How to celebrate Ivan Kupala correctly: tips and reviews

Ask how the grandmothers were celebrated by Ivan. They are guardians of traditions. There is no need to organize some kind of entertainment program. The main thing is not to sit at home, but to spend time among friends.

Light the fire and strike round dances
Be sure to arrange bathing after midnight
Weave a wreath and let it into the river
Make amulets from evil spirits
Guess to the narrowed one

Of course, modern youth does not believe that evil spirits come to life on Ivan Kupala. First of all, it is a folk holiday and an opportunity from the heart to have fun.