One of the most mysterious nights of the year is approaching - the night before Ivan Kupala. This night, which combines both Christian and folk pagan traditions, is associated with many beliefs and fortune telling, as well as various rituals, including quite immodest ones and not approved by the church.
When the night falls on the eve of Ivan Kupala in 2017
Ivan Kupala- this is the Russian nickname of one of the most revered predecessors Jesus Christ- prophet John the Baptist (Forerunner). Christian holiday Nativity of John the Baptist noted June 24. Accordingly, churches living according to the Gregorian calendar are primarily Catholics and Protestants, have already celebrated this holiday on June 24th.
Russian Orthodox Church and other churches adhering to the so-called “old style” (Julian and New Julian calendars) celebrate this holiday July 7. Thus, the night before Ivan Kupala- it's a night from 6 to 7 July.
Ivan Kupala (Midsummer's Day)- this is Slavic folk holiday, dedicated summer solstice, which with the advent of Christianity “merged” with Merry Christmas to John the Baptist.
The word “baptist” translated from Greek means “baptizer”, “immerser”, since John baptized Jesus by immersing him in the waters of the Jordan River, which was associated with the Jewish tradition of ritual washing. Therefore, the holiday of Ivan Kupala is inextricably linked with water, bathing and ablution, as well as with cleansing with the help of fire.
Kupala night and church
IN folk tradition the night before Ivan Kupala is even more important than the holiday itself. Among the traditions are collecting herbs and flowers, weaving wreaths, lighting fires and jumping over them and, of course, swimming and fortune-telling, as well as various very immodest night games that are not approved by the church. Since the Middle Ages, the church has considered folk Kupala rituals to be paganism and demonism. Those who participated in them were severely persecuted (see the film “Andrei Rublev”), but it was never possible to exterminate this tradition, and it still exists today.
It was believed that on the night before Ivan Kupala one should take a swim before sunset, preferably in an open reservoir, in order to then take part in mass night bathing.
Closer to sunset, on the hills near reservoirs, it was customary to light fires with “living fire” (that is, produced by friction), since on this night the two elements - fire and water - were friends.
On the night of Ivan Kupala, the girls chose their “betrothed” with whom they performed marriage rites: holding hands, jumping over the fire together, exchanging wreaths, looking for a mysterious fern flower, swimming in ponds and performing other ritual actions. It should be noted that in the Slavic folk tradition, quite significant freedom of sexual behavior was allowed for unmarried girls under the extreme strictness of the family structure. (In the nobility it was exactly the opposite - the behavior of unmarried young ladies was strictly regulated, but adultery in marriage was turned a blind eye.)
An obligatory custom of Midsummer's Day and Kupala Night was mass bathing. It was believed that on the night before Ivan Kupala, water bodies were freed from mermen, mermaids and other evil spirits, which means that until Ilyin's day (August 2) You can swim without fear. The water on the night before Ivan Kupala was considered healing, bringing youth and having magical properties.
Fortune telling on a wreath
On the night before Ivan Kupala, girls told fortunes about their betrothed, mainly with the help of wreaths. The girls wove wreaths of flowers and field herbs in advance, and at night they lowered them into the water, making a wish. Mostly they guessed about a quick marriage and a betrothed.
If the wreath has floated far away, wait for the matchmakers; if the wreath comes back or unravels in the water, sit in the wenches for another year; if the wreath sticks to the opposite bank, it means that the betrothed will come from afar; if the wreath immediately drowns, the wedding will be upset, and the groom will leave or cheat.
Fortune telling by circles on the water
The girls threw a pebble into the water and counted the diverging circles - if the number is even, the wish will come true, if it’s odd, then don’t expect matchmakers this year.
Fortune telling on a fern
It is believed that on the night of Ivan Kupala, the fern acquires magical powers and can predict fate. At midnight the girls went into the forest, where each plucked several stems of fern. Each branch was given the name of a potential groom, then the girl drowned the stems in water. The stem that emerged first is the one that is narrowed.
Also on the night of Ivan Kupala, other fortune-telling was in use, similar to the fortune-telling on the night before Christmas, Epiphany and Trinity.
The main symbol of the Kupala night is huge bonfires, the brushwood for which was laid in the form of a high pyramid, and in the center they placed a pole with a tarred wheel mounted on it.
All the women of the village had to approach the fire; those who evaded were considered witches. Also, all the girls had to jump over the fire; a successful jump was considered a good omen and a sign of purification. Those who evaded were considered “unclean” and, as punishment, were doused with water and flogged with nettles.
Guys and girls who liked each other jumped over the fire, holding hands: it was believed that if the hands did not separate during the jump, the couple was destined to be together.
Ritual outrages
On the night before Ivan Kupala, as well as on Christmastide, ritual outrages were widespread in the villages: young people were noisy and hooligan, frightening their fellow villagers, and various immodest games and sexual amusements, not approved by the church, were also in use.
As is known, church holidays can have a permanent date or a moving one. For many Orthodox people, it is extremely important to know all the numbers that bring with them the bright and revered days. To find out when the next church celebration is, just look at.
It is from this calendar that you can understand what date Ivan Kupala is in 2017. This wonderful summer holiday has never changed its date - from year to year it begins on the night of July 6 and ends on July 7 (Nativity of John the Baptist).
A few words about the holiday
Ivan Kupala Day is an ancient celebration that is familiar to many peoples and has been celebrated since time immemorial. This day is often associated with various mystical incidents, ancient rituals and traditions. On the night of July 6-7, truly fantastic events and a long-awaited fusion with nature take place. Many witnesses claim that during this period they feel an incredible surge of strength and energy, and also see many wonderful and inexplicable things.
In addition, the date of the holiday was not chosen by chance - the solstice occurs in the second month of summer. But the dependence on this astrological phenomenon disappeared after the transition to the Gregorian calendar.
In the Orthodox Church, the holiday of Ivan Kupala is timed to commemorate John the Baptist, the priest who baptized Jesus Christ. This date appeared thanks to the confirmation of the Gospel testimony, which said that the age difference between the Forerunner and Christ is only 6 months.
The celebration has deep, centuries-old roots, which allowed the formation of many traditions even before the advent of the New Era. One version says that this day was named in honor of the East Slavic deity Kupala, but there were people who confirmed that this idea was wrong.
Ancient rituals on Ivan Kupala are most often pagan in nature. Each of the rituals is associated with superstitions and various beliefs that were especially popular among ancient tribes. Many shamans believed that plants, water and fire were endowed with supernatural powers. On the night of July 6-7, this force is activated and transferred to all living beings nearby.
After Christianity began to spread throughout the earth, such customs were persecuted because they did not correspond to the Holy Teaching. Over time, the rituals began to acquire more and more new details; they tried to combine them with monotheism.
This happened due to the fact that the faith of some people was shaken, and they no longer knew who to go to for advice in case of trouble: to the priest or to the healers.
By the way, the church still does not favor this holiday, considering it wrong and inappropriate. On the contrary, they celebrate July 7th as the day Jesus began his righteous journey.
Traditions and rituals
- At sunrise, you should wash or swim in the river. This procedure will wash away all diseases from the body, remove acne, and strengthen the immune system.
- To get rid of cockroaches, spiders and other insects living in the apartment, you need to sprinkle morning dew on the wall, bed, corners and floors of the house.
- On the night of Ivan Kupala, girls went into the forest to collect medicinal herbs and flowers. Healers are convinced that during this period each plant is imbued with an unusual power that can cure many diseases. Yarrow, St. John's wort and chamomile were in particular demand.
- On this day, it was customary to collect flowers for fortune telling. Having found a flower, the girl put it under her pillow. A blossoming bud testified to an imminent marriage, and a withered bud indicated that there would be no marriage in the next year.
- They wove wreaths that floated on the water. According to tradition, it was necessary to collect 12 different types plants and make a wreath from them. If he drowns, the girl will not get married this year; if he sails away from the shore, the groom walks very close.
- As soon as the sun set, the youth lit a huge fire and couples, holding hands, jumped over it. If young people “overcame the obstacle” without unclenching their hands, then they are destined to be together, on the contrary, the couple will soon separate.
Fortune telling on Ivan Kupala
In addition to traditional rituals, there were also ones that helped everyone who wanted to find out their future fate. Here are some of them:
- On bathing night, you need to pick two blades of grass and insert them into a crack (on a wall or in a stream). The blade of grass should hang down. After a while, you should pay attention to the blades of grass. If they are intertwined with each other - happily ever after family life secured, and if they “ran away” from each other, it means that there will be a quick break with your loved one.
- You can find out your life expectancy using a candle. You should light a regular wax candle and see how long it burns. If it burns to the end, it means the fortuneteller will live a long life; if it goes out quickly, it means trouble. There is no need to panic; it is possible that this sign indicates some kind of illness.
- Fortune telling by ritual fire. Near a blazing fire you need to make a wish and watch the flames. If the fire burns brightly and evenly, then the answer will be positive, but if the fire is interrupted and weakens, the wish will not come true.
Famous signs
- It rained on the holiday - hot and dry weather should be expected in a week.
- On the night of Ivan Kupala, the stars shine brightly in the sky, and heavy dew falls at dawn, which means that in summer and autumn there will be a good harvest of cucumbers, tomatoes, mushrooms and other vegetables.
- Unmarried girls should go to the bathhouse, take a good steam there and whip themselves with a broom. Then leave the bathhouse and throw the broom over your shoulder (like throwing a bridal bouquet). In which direction he flew, that’s where the betrothed lives.
An ancient ritual holiday called Ivan Kupala Day is a whole action, dedicated to the day summer solstice and the peak of nature's summer bloom. It is celebrated on the night from 6 to 7. An interesting fact is that in the cycle of modern calendar celebrations it is located symmetrically to the celebration (or Kolyada). After the baptism of Rus', pagan traditions and Christian beliefs harmoniously united in this ancient mystical festival.
history of the holiday
Scientists explain the origin of the holiday and its name in different ways. According to one version, “Ivana Kupala” is a Slavic interpretation of the name of John the Baptist. Translated from Greek language"John" is interpreted as "immerser in water" or "one who bathes." That is why the Slavs began to use the name “Kupala”, meaning a ritual ablution that must be performed to cleanse the soul and body. There is another version of the origin of the holiday, which tells about one of the pagan gods.
Scientists found a mention of the deity “Kupala” in the Gustyn Chronicle, dating back to the 18th century. IN in this case We are talking about the mistake of the chronicler himself - he was not very well acquainted with the traditions of the Slavs of Eastern Europe, but he had heard a lot about the “demonic fun” that takes place on this holiday. The chronicler came to the conclusion that the games were held in honor of a pagan god named “Kupala”. Over time, scribes spread this information, and the pantheon of pagan gods was unexpectedly replenished with one more resident.
By the way, the tradition of jumping over a fire appeared in Rus' long before Orthodoxy. The Christian religion condemned holiday traditions: back in 692, the Council of Trullo expressed severe condemnation of this custom. As an example, the priests cited pagan rituals that took place under the Old Testament king Manasseh, when residents of settlements gathered on the shores of the seas and dressed one of the girls in a wedding dress.
Church representatives oppose this holiday The pagans danced furiously, sang and shouted, and then performed a fortune-telling ceremony. Objects belonging to the participants in the action were placed in a vessel with sea water. The girl, taking out one of the things at random, predicted the future fate of its owner. At night, all the residents collected armfuls of straw and firewood to light fires, over which they were supposed to jump, purifying themselves by fire. Of course, sorcery was called manifestations of demonism and the machinations of evil spirits, and the patriarchs called for an end to paganism.
Until now, many representatives of the Church oppose the intertwining of paganism and Christianity, saying that the persistence of Kupala customs testifies to superstitiousness, incompleteness and insufficient strength of faith. In some regions of Russia, just a few years ago, a decision was made to ban the celebration of Ivan Kupala. However, the holiday can only be considered as a bright celebration dedicated to nature.
Holiday rituals and traditions
The holiday of Ivan Kupala is accompanied by rituals associated with the water and fire elements, spirits and plants. The main action of the festival began after sunset, when the earth was enveloped in darkness. Young people were especially outrageous that night. Fully justifying the beliefs about the machinations of brownies, woodsmen, swamp and river spirits, the guys stole firewood from courtyards, dragged carts onto the roofs of houses, drove horses into the swamps, covered windows with dark paint, dragged gates and entire fences into the forest.
Water procedures were an integral part of the day of Ivan Kupala Ritual bathing
Before sunset, young and old hurried to take a bath in a bathhouse or in running river water in order to protect themselves from manifestations of evil spirits and to stock up on health. Before Ivan Kupala, people did not go into running water unless absolutely necessary, since until that moment it served as a haven for mermen, mermaids and other creatures that could easily drag a person into the underwater world. Be sure to stock up on running water from forest sources. It was believed that it had special magical and healing properties.
Traditions associated with fire
After the rays of the setting sun had faded, high fires were lit on the hills or near the waters, on the banks of rivers and lakes, and in some places it was necessary to make fire only in the ancient way - with the help of friction. The ancient rituals were observed for the longest time by Belarusians. Even at the beginning of the last century, there was a tradition in Belarus to erect a high pillar on this night, on top of which a cart wheel was placed, and then it was knocked down into the fire.
Each household brought old things to the fire to burn them, attracting prosperity to the house. Round dances were started around the Kupala bonfires, and after that each resident of the settlement had to make a ritual jump. Men pursued the goal of becoming luckier and braver, girls and women - to improve their health, add beauty and attractiveness.
Our ancestors believed that the Kupala fire would cleanse them from evil Our ancestors were especially strict about observing this custom. A woman who avoided the jump was considered associated with evil spirits and was suspected of witchcraft. Young boys and girls always jumped over the fire, holding hands. It was believed that if you jump without letting go of each other's palms, there will be a long and happy life. And if sparks fly after the couple, then the marriage will also be rich.
After the fires died out, they were dismantled into firebrands, from which the fireplace was lit. This day became a period of public condemnation for those residents of the settlement who were hooligans, drunkards and rowdies during the year. They were mocked and scolded for violating moral principles.
Wedding customs on Ivan Kupala
Among the most important customs of the day of Ivan Kupala, it is worth noting the rituals associated with matchmaking and weddings. Boys and girls chose their lovers, exchanged wreaths of herbs and flowers, and relatives of marriageable brides plowed furrows to the gates of the courtyard so that the matchmakers would find their way as quickly as possible.
The girls collected herbs and flowers to weave wreaths. Every unmarried maiden was sure to release the wreath into the waters of the river, accompanying this action with ritual chants. If the wreath sank, it promised misfortune or another year in girls. If he swam along the river without washing ashore, he could expect matchmakers and a happy life.
On the night of Ivan Kupala you could predict your fate In some regions, fortune telling with wreaths was a mandatory custom. Young girls chose one of their friends, decorated her with flowers and garlands of branches, blindfolded her and began to dance around her. The girl distributed pre-prepared wreaths to her friends. If you came across a wreath of wilted flowers, it promised vegetation and an unsuccessful marriage, while fresh flowers promised their owner wealth and a happy marriage.
Beliefs and traditions associated with herbs
The main attribute of all Kupala fun was a wreath. Usually herbs and flowers were collected for him even before the day of the celebration. Round form The wreath had a special sacred meaning for our ancestors - it identified the Sun and the annual cycle of events. Not all herbs were collected to make a wreath. It was imperative to weave periwinkle flowers, basil sprigs, and young shoots of oak and birch into it.
On the holiday of Ivan Kupala, women collected medicinal herbs and plants, which acquired special power on this day, protecting them from the evil eye and illnesses, the machinations of evil spirits and natural disasters. For the collection of each plant there was a special hour and a special prayer.
Without a doubt, the most mysterious and mystical custom of this holiday was the search for a blooming fern. Not every daredevil dared to go into the forest thicket to find the treasured flower. According to the beliefs of the Slavs, it revealed wonderful abilities for its owner: the color of the fern taught one to understand the speech of any animals and birds, open any locks, find treasures, command spirits and become invisible.
According to legend, a blooming fern could give superpowers However, there are no sources that would indicate that anyone managed to find this mysterious color. It’s no wonder - beliefs say that the fern blooms for only one hour, and evil spirits make every effort to confuse and intimidate the brave ones. Of course, this fact can be explained in a simpler way - modern science knows for sure that ferns do not bloom.
Ivan Kupala was given special protection from witches, who, according to legend, could deprive cows of milk. A willow branch placed near pastures and barns acted as a special amulet. An armful of nettles or wormwood was placed on the thresholds of houses to prevent evil spirits from creeping into the home.
Bans on Ivan Kupala Day
The holiday of Ivan Kupala is associated with many prohibitions that should be observed.
- Among the Slavs living in the east and west, until the day of Ivan Kupala, women did not eat any berries, so as not to cause the death of small children;
- On this day, no one went to bed, since the house and animals had to be protected from all sorts of unclean intrigues: brownies, goblins and mermaids came out of the shadows and could easily steal a horse or steal a cow;
- In order not to fall into vegetation, it was impossible to engage in trade, make purchases or borrow money on this day;
- Under no circumstances should cows be beaten or driven with sticks, as the udder could dry out;
- Any thing found on the road should have remained unnoticed by the finder. If a person picked up a find, he could become a victim of a forest spirit, taking the form of a loved one.
These days the holiday is popular in all CIS countries Ivan Kupala today
Now this day has lost its mysticism, but this has not ceased to be a beautiful and vibrant festival, in which many residents of Eastern European countries take part with pleasure. In Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, atmospheric festivals are held on this day, where everyone can weave a Kupala wreath, take part in the ritual of lighting a fire, dance in a circle and learn ritual songs.
The holiday of Ivan Kupala, dedicated to the summer solstice, is celebrated on the night of July 6-7. It also has other names - Midsummer's Day, Ivan the Travnik, Kolosok, Kres, Yarilin's Day and coincides with the Christian holiday of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Behind long years this ancient holiday, widely celebrated in different countries, overgrown with different traditions and ritual ceremonies.
History of the holidays of Ivan Kupala
Why does the holiday have this name? Ivan Kupala is a Russian nickname for one of the most revered predecessors of Jesus Christ - the prophet John the Baptist (Forerunner). The Christian holiday of the Nativity of John the Baptist, churches living according to the Gregorian calendar, is celebrated on June 24. And John is translated from Greek as “bather, immerser.” John baptized Jesus, following the Jewish tradition of ritual washing and immersing him in the waters of the Jordan. Therefore, the holiday, which is celebrated on the night of July 6-7, is inextricably linked with water, bathing and ablution, as well as purification with fire.
Rituals and traditions of the holiday of Ivan Kupala
Ivan Kupala is perhaps the most magical and unusual holiday. It appeared as a veneration of the main deity - the Sun, Kupala, who gives life, light and hope. But in one night, as they believed in Rus', all four elements united: fire, water, earth and air.
One of the most important rituals on Ivan Kupala is bathing. It is believed that it is on this day (and you cannot swim at night) that many special healing powers appear in the water that can help a person in his affairs.
Fire became no less a magical substance on the night of Ivan Kupala. Participants in the holiday lit large bonfires on the banks of ponds and jumped over the fire. This ritual helped them cleanse themselves of all evil thoughts and illnesses. Also on this day they jumped over the fire in pairs, holding each other’s hands. If young people managed to jump and not let go of their hands, then this promised them a strong and long union.
On this day, the girls wove wreaths (it was necessary to use 12 different plants) and floated them on the water. If the wreath sinks, then this year the girl will have to sit in the wenches. And if it sails away from the shore, it means the wedding is coming soon.
By the way, on Ivan Kupala, girls went into the forest to collect medicinal herbs and flowers, which acquired special healing powers on this day. They all really wanted to find a fern flower that had magical powers. People believed that whoever found this flower would learn not only to understand the language of animals, but also to see all the treasures, and also open all the treasuries by applying the flower to the locks.
Even on this day, it was customary to pray to St. John the Baptist for headaches and for children.
What not to do on Ivan Kupala
According to ancient beliefs, on the night of Ivan Kupala, various kinds of evil spirits wake up - witches, snakes, mermen, werewolves. And in order not to fall into their insidious network, it was impossible to sleep that night. It was not recommended to go swimming, as there was a high probability that a merman or mermaid would be pulled into the water. The evil spirits could also attack pregnant women, children and the elderly, so they also had to be kept away from the water that night.
To prevent the family from becoming poor, nothing was given to anyone, sold or borrowed during Ivan Kupala. For the same reason, the jewelry and money found on the road that day were not picked up from the ground.
But if a girl did not visit the evening Kupala bonfire, then she was considered a witch.
The holiday of Ivan Kupala, dedicated to the summer solstice, is celebrated on the night of July 6-7. It also has other names - Midsummer's Day, Ivan the Travnik, Kolosok, Kres, Yarilin's Day and coincides with the Christian holiday of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Over the years, this ancient holiday, widely celebrated in different countries, has acquired different traditions and ritual rituals.
History of the holidays of Ivan Kupala
Why does the holiday have this name? Ivan Kupala is a Russian nickname for one of the most revered predecessors of Jesus Christ - the prophet John the Baptist (Forerunner). The Christian holiday of the Nativity of John the Baptist, churches living according to the Gregorian calendar, is celebrated on June 24. And John is translated from Greek as “bather, immerser.” John baptized Jesus, following the Jewish tradition of ritual washing and immersing him in the waters of the Jordan. Therefore, the holiday, which is celebrated on the night of July 6-7, is inextricably linked with water, bathing and ablution, as well as purification with fire.
Rituals and traditions of the holiday of Ivan Kupala
Ivan Kupala is perhaps the most magical and unusual holiday. It appeared as a veneration of the main deity - the Sun, Kupala, who gives life, light and hope. But in one night, as they believed in Rus', all four elements united: fire, water, earth and air.
One of the most important rituals on Ivan Kupala is bathing. It is believed that it is on this day (and you cannot swim at night) that many special healing powers appear in the water that can help a person in his affairs.
Fire became no less a magical substance on the night of Ivan Kupala. Participants in the holiday lit large bonfires on the banks of ponds and jumped over the fire. This ritual helped them cleanse themselves of all evil thoughts and illnesses. Also on this day they jumped over the fire in pairs, holding each other’s hands. If young people managed to jump and not let go of their hands, then this promised them a strong and long union.
On this day, the girls wove wreaths (it was necessary to use 12 different plants) and floated them on the water. If the wreath sinks, then this year the girl will have to sit in the wenches. And if it sails away from the shore, it means the wedding is coming soon.
By the way, on Ivan Kupala, girls went into the forest to collect medicinal herbs and flowers, which acquired special healing powers on this day. They all really wanted to find a fern flower that had magical powers. People believed that whoever found this flower would learn not only to understand the language of animals, but also to see all the treasures, and also open all the treasuries by applying the flower to the locks.
Even on this day, it was customary to pray to St. John the Baptist for headaches and for children.
What not to do on Ivan Kupala
According to ancient beliefs, on the night of Ivan Kupala, various kinds of evil spirits wake up - witches, snakes, mermen, werewolves. And in order not to fall into their insidious network, it was impossible to sleep that night. It was not recommended to go swimming, as there was a high probability that a merman or mermaid would be pulled into the water. The evil spirits could also attack pregnant women, children and the elderly, so they also had to be kept away from the water that night.
To prevent the family from becoming poor, nothing was given to anyone, sold or borrowed during Ivan Kupala. For the same reason, the jewelry and money found on the road that day were not picked up from the ground.
But if a girl did not visit the evening Kupala bonfire, then she was considered a witch.
