What day is Ivan Kupala celebrated. The Slavic holiday was bathed by its traditions and history

The folk pagan holiday "Ivan Kupala" is celebrated not only in Russia. The poetic pagan holiday of the triumph of sunlight and warmth is also celebrated in Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltic countries.

Ivan Kupala is a very ancient holiday. The earliest references to it date back to the 12th century, but its roots go even deeper. Historically, this day was the day of the summer solstice (solstice - June 20-22), subsequently coincided with the Nativity of John the Baptist and the Christian holiday of the Nativity of the Holy Prophet the Forerunner.

The bright folk holiday of Ivan Kupala takes its origins from paganism

Night on Ivan Kupala is considered magical. Only on the Kupala night, young people were allowed to play pranks, flirt with each other, kiss, hug (have intimate relationships), after Ivan Kupala, the guy had to marry the girl with whom he flirted.

According to legend, that night they played the wedding of Kupala and Marena - this symbolized the union of male and female principles, two elements (Kupalo - the embodiment of fire, Marena - water).

The main attributes of the holiday are Kupalo and Marena, which are prepared differently in different parts of Ukraine. So, in Podolia and Volhynia, girls make "Kupalo" from willow branches; to do this, they take a branch, decorate it with flowers and wreaths, and then walk around such a "Kupala" and sing songs. Men and women also converge on this spectacle, but they do not take part in the singing.

The guys throw flowers on the paths where the girls go. After some time, when the girls are overjoyed at the Kupal, the guys attack the Kupal, tear off the wreaths and flowers from it, and throw the branch itself into the water. They lay out a fire and, when it flares up, all those present jump over the fire: guys, girls, women and men.

Young women bring dumplings or other treats with them, and men and boys bring vodka, right there, by the fire, they help themselves, and then they start dancing.

History of the Christian holiday

The ancient Slavs Ivan Kupala had a holiday of the Sun, the maturity of summer and green mowing. Therefore, it was associated with the summer solstice, which, according to the old style, fell on June 20-22.

After the adoption of Christianity, it began to be celebrated on the birthday of John the Baptist, which fell on June 24, according to the old style. Then there was a transition to a new style, due to which the date of the holiday moved to July 7th. As a result, it turned out that he lost his astronomical connection with the solstice.

John - the son of the priest Zacharias and Elizabeth - a relative of the Virgin Mary, was born six months before the birth of Christ. An angel also announced his birth. Full of asceticism and service to God, John's life aroused great respect for him among the inhabitants of Judea, among whom he preached. Those who repented of their sins, John baptized with water, preparing people for the spiritual baptism of the messiah. Together with everyone, Christ came to the bank of the Jordan River, whom John baptized in water. Continuing his service to God, John fearlessly exposed the sins and deceit not only among the common people, but also among the kings, for which King Herod threw him into prison. On the birthday of Herod Salome, the daughter of Herodias asked for the severed head of John as a gift for her dance. And she received it on a platter... So the life of the prophet ended martyrically.

Ivan Kupala is desirable to celebrate near the river - flowing water

Midsummer's Day has always been filled with various rituals that are associated with water, fire and herbs. In the morning on this day, it was customary to swim in rivers and lakes. However, some believed that, on the contrary, it is better not to do this, otherwise the water one will drag you to the bottom.

According to popular beliefs, the fern blossoms exactly at midnight. In nature, this plant does not bloom, but legends and fairy tales have survived to this day that it is on this magical night of the birth of sincere love, the fusion of fire and water that a miracle happens - a flower of happiness, good luck and prosperity appears. Everyone is looking for a flower, but they find it only in pairs, and only truly in love can see it. On Ivan Kupala, in the struggle between fire and water, water wins.

The fern is a relic herbaceous plant that never blooms, because it reproduces vegetatively, i.e. disputes. But since ancient times, man has noticed that each plant has its own flower, its own seed, which continues to exist, i.e. has a fruit of reproduction, emphasizes the feminine essence. Ferns do not have a flower, so this plant symbolized the male essence. No wonder that the fern belonged to the totem plants of Perun - the god of male warriors. Since the symbol of Perun was a blazing fire, “a fiery flower”, or, as they also said, “Perun’s color”, and in ritual actions the fern was always used together with fire, it can be assumed that the “fiery flower” became the “flower” of the fern. This mythical color was a symbol of the Sun and lightning, blooms and goes out as clearly and as quickly as a spark, and has great power and works wonders in nature.

Strong dew on Ivan - to the harvest of cucumbers.

On Midsummer's Day, the sun plays at sunrise.

Starry night on Ivan - there will be a lot of mushrooms.

Ivanovo rains are better than the golden mountain.

Before Ivan, children, ask God for rain, and after Ivan I myself will ask (that is, frequent rains will begin).

If there is a thunderstorm on Midsummer Day, there will be few nuts, and they will be empty.

If before Ivan millet in a spoon, it will be in a spoon.

Ivan Kupala (Ivan's Day, Ivan's Night) is an ancient pagan holiday, which is traditionally celebrated by the Slavs on the night of July 6-7. Many traditions are associated with this day. Its roots go very deep, up to the XII century. Before baptism, Ivanov's day was timed to coincide with the summer solstice. We will talk about how to celebrate Ivan Kupala, about traditions, rituals and entertainment on this holiday.

The summer holiday of Ivan's Day has a very long tradition and is closely associated with the elements of water, grass and fire. It is on this day that they all have strong magical properties and activate natural principles. For our ancestors, this was a way to cleanse themselves of accumulated sins, illnesses and, of course, have fun.

It has long been customary on Ivanov's Day to swim in reservoirs while evil spirits walk around the earth, collect herbs, dance and jump over a fire. Unmarried girls are supposed to guess on wreaths. In our time, at mass festivities dedicated to the day of Ivan Kupala, the search for a fern flower at midnight is considered an obligatory attribute. On this day, cheerful celebrations are organized, which are accompanied by folk songs, mass round dances and dances.

Fire jumping

The most important tradition of the Kupala night is jumping over the fire. This rite symbolizes spiritual cleansing. It is also customary to dance round the fire. There was a belief: if you burn the patient's shirt in the fire of such a fire, then he will certainly recover.

On this day, young people and children have fun, sing songs and dance. It is on Ivan Kupala that the shortest of the year falls, and people believe in an old legend: on this mystical night you can’t go to bed. According to popular beliefs, it was on the night of July 6-7 that all unclean forces woke up and walked around the local environs.

Customs with herbs

Dried herbs. A large number of customs and beliefs on this day are closely intertwined with herbs. Flowers collected on Ivan Kupala were considered healing, so they were dried and cherished all year round. With the help of these herbs, the sick were treated, and they also fought the unclean. Having “Kupala” herbs in the house, it was possible to ward off all evil from your home.

Fern. One of the most important traditions of this holiday is to find a fern flower. Our ancestors believed: with a fern flower, you can find a treasure, even one that is deep underground. But legends say that the flower appears at midnight and only for a few seconds. Nowadays, the fern symbol means good luck, happiness, love and wealth.

habits with water

The main custom of the holiday is swimming in the water. On Midsummer Day, water was considered healing and had magical powers that could improve health and heal from long-standing ailments. It was at this time that water entered into a sacred union with fire and acquired tremendous natural power. Hence the tradition to kindle a fire near water bodies.

Wreaths. Traditionally, wreaths woven by unmarried girls were considered the main feature of the celebration of Ivan Kupala. They were worn on the head, and closer to midnight they were allowed to float on the water. This ceremony symbolized the hope of a girl without a couple for a quick meeting with her betrothed. They let out a wreath and looked in which direction it would float - depending on this, they judged where to wait for a loved one. If the wreath quickly sailed away from the shore, the girl is destined to live a long, happy life or a good marriage; if the wreath turned out to be farther than others, the girl will be happier than others; if the wreath does not float anywhere, it means that this year the girl will not be married; if it sinks, this promises separation. How to celebrate Ivan Kupala with wreaths by the river is a classic. They also lit a candle and placed it in the center of the wreath. If the candle burned for a long time, it symbolized good luck in business for the whole year.

What to wear on Ivan Kupala

Shoes. It is believed that on Midsummer Night a girl should walk barefoot. But we, modern people, do not like to walk barefoot everywhere, so for Ivanovo festivities in a meadow or field we choose the most comfortable shoes. Light white sandals or ballet shoes will perfectly fit into your festive look.

Ornaments. As a rule, the custom on Ivan Kupala suggested that girls adorn themselves with various beads, necklaces, flowers and wreaths. In general, flowers and herbs are the most important decorations.

Cloth. On this day, it should be white, which symbolizes purity and innocence. It's great if you have a national attire - a white embroidered shirt or a linen dress in a folk style. Ordinary white blouses made of chiffon or silk are also suitable. If there is no embroidery on the blouse, it does not matter: decorate your outfit with red beads, bracelets and flowers.

Wreath. Do not forget: every unmarried girl at the celebration of Ivan Kupala must have a wreath woven by her own hand. This is a symbol that will bring her good luck and true love, as well as protect her from bad people. Wreaths, most often, weave from daisies, dandelions, cornflowers and clover.

Celebrating Ivan Kupala, be closer to nature, enjoy, have fun and be yourself! Merry festivities to you!

Slavic Holiday Kupala (Kupailo, Kupalo) - the day of the summer solstice. The longest day and shortest night of the year. This is one of the four main holidays of the ancient Slavs, timed to coincide with the positions of the Sun (, Kupala,). The last day of the Rusal Week or Mermaids. Kupala is one of the oldest holidays that has preserved many of the traditions and customs of our ancestors to this day, for example: seeing off Yarila, who is replaced by the God of the summer sun Kupala, collecting healing herbs, searching for a fern flower, etc. Kupala is also a great holiday, which is now replaced by the church on the birthday of John the Baptist.

Let's try to unbiasedly figure out what kind of day this is, bearing the name of Kupala, which was revered and celebrated by the ancestors of the Rus strictly at the same time of the year, long before our times, the main customs and traditions of which, which are in the Soul and now (precisely according to Soul, and not according to some canons), have come down to us from time immemorial.

What day is Kupala celebrated?

The very date of the celebration is not accidental and is associated with an astronomical event, like many other celebrated days, which may indicate the advanced knowledge of the ancestors of the Rus in astronomy. Kupala Day is an astronomical event called the summer solstice. Now it is absolutely known that the trajectory of our planet around the Yarila-Sun is far from a perfect circle. During one revolution of our planet around the Yarila-Sun, the distance between them changes from the minimum close to the maximum remote, which is repeated from year to year and from century to century. On the day of the summer solstice, our planet occupies the most distant position from the Yarila-Sun, and in our hemisphere at this time there is the longest day and the shortest night of the year - the triumph of light over darkness. This astronomical event does not depend on any religions, beliefs, political views and, in general, people. The sun shines the same for everyone, and this event occurs at the same time from year to year, regardless of any calendars and their styles, and it cannot be canceled or rescheduled to please anyone, but it is quite possible to change concepts.

In 2019, the Slavic Feast of Kupala falls on June 21

Thus, the day of the summer solstice, according to the widely used calendar today, falls on June 19-25.

Where did the names of the holiday Kupala, Kupailo, Kupalo or Ivan-Kupala come from?

We figured out the date, now let's try to understand what meaning was put into the name of the Kupala Day holiday. If in the case of the date everything is clear, the conditions there are determined by an astronomical event, then the name will have to be left open, since we do not currently have reliable information, and the Ancestors' Legacy, passed from mouth to mouth, has come down to us very distorted. There are many versions of the origin of this name, but not all of them are accepted by the Soul quite unambiguously, which can be perceived as true. At the end of the article is a legend dedicated to the origin of the name of the festival of the summer solstice. Take courage and, after reading it, make your own opinion whether your Soul accepts such an interpretation, whether it is a version close to reality, and do not blindly follow any beliefs.

Today, the holiday is better known as Ivan Kupala or Ivan's Day, named after the Christian Saint John the Baptist. Ivan Kupala, unlike the real Feast of Kupail or Kupala, is not timed to coincide with the solstice, but is celebrated on the date of the birth of John the Baptist on July 7th. Celebrating Kupala on July 7 according to pagan traditions with bonfires, wreaths, searching for ferns does not make any sense, since the solstice has long been left behind. In fact, this holiday does not belong at all to John the Baptist or some incomprehensible Ivan Kupala, but to the pagan God Kupala (Kupailo).

Once this holiday was celebrated not only in Rus', but throughout Europe. Hills, fields, meadows, valleys were covered with the lights of Kupala bonfires. In our time, of course, this is no longer the case, but many people, pagan communities continue to support the tradition, and anyone can visit the Kupala Festival, as it really is. It is believed that at the dawn of the Kupala day, the sun rejoices, shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow, dances and bathes. The day of the solstice itself is always hot, this is explained by the fact that the sun on its last day fries the earth with all its might, but, defeated, leaves for the winter. At Kupala, the sun reaches its climax, fries with incredible force, and according to tradition, people should ask him to moderate his ardor.

Folk rituals and traditions for the Kupala Festival

To this day, the summer solstice is widely celebrated in different parts of our planet, and in many places on its true astronomical date. This holiday is common among peoples whose roots are closely connected with the roots of the Rus. Having different names for different nationalities, its essence is the same: all rituals are associated with fire, which usually acts in two forms - earthly and heavenly (the Sun), and water.

The celebration of Kupala Day was preceded by the Mermaid Week. These days are dedicated to the Goddesses of rivers, lakes and reservoirs. During the Mermaid Week, they did not swim without special need, so as not to disturb the water deities preparing for the summer festival, and from that day they began to swim in the rivers every day. It was customary to guard the meeting of the month with the sun on the night of the solstice, they did not go to bed and watched the Sun play. Kupala night is the time when the magical power of fire, water, earth, plants reaches its highest strength, and the water in rivers and lakes acquires special life-giving and cleansing properties. The belief about the color of the fern, blooming with a fiery color on the Kupala night, is in all Slavic peoples, in search of which the most courageous went.

The idea of the holiday is cleansing, affecting the three bodies of human essence - a three-dimensional shell, soul and spirit. Fundamental natural elements - water and fire - are used as cleansing elements. That is why the famous bathing fires are always bred on the banks of rivers.

The celebration begins with a round dance. The round dance is built from three circles of people holding hands and moving in different directions. The outer circle is made up of people of mature and old age, the middle circle is young and full of strength guys and girls, and the smallest circle, which is closest to the fire, is made up of small children .

During the celebration, our Ancestors jumped over the fires, and then, with a run, plunged into the arms of the river. The important point is that it should be exactly a river with moving water, when you can draw an analogy with the river of time, during which everything is once washed away, changes are constantly taking place. And if water purifies the body, then fire purifies the Soul.

It is believed that the bonfires lit on the Kupala Festival have a unique, cleansing power. On the bathing night, these bonfires, according to the beliefs of our Ancestors, burned in three worlds at once - in Reveal, Navi and Rule. Therefore, any fire on this night is a conductor, powerful and irresistible. Conductor of human and divine, dark and light, earthly and heavenly.

Walking on coals is the next part of the holiday. This is a moment of purification or, rather, even hardening of the spirit. Through heat, a powerful thermal energy flow and small painful sparks, false thoughts, unfair aspirations, demons and larvae, pushing him to a dark path, leave a person.

Also, the Slavic Holiday Day of Kupala includes weaving wreaths and firelights. As for wreaths, in tradition, wreaths are woven by girls for guys. Of course, if we are talking about an established couple, then the girl weaves a wreath for her man or husband, another option is simply unacceptable. In all other cases, single girls give their wreaths to those guys who cause them the most sympathy. Wreaths are woven from field herbs and flowers. Ognevitsy are small "boats", most often made of wooden planks. A candle is placed in the center of such a boat, and a “fence” is made around the grass and leaves so that the wind does not accidentally extinguish the flame. Fireboxes with lit candles are launched into the river. If a person does not have a pair, he can start the firelighter on his own, but more often this moment is not individual. After all, a harmonious state is achieved only in the unity of opposites, therefore, ideally, the flame should be launched by a couple - the bride and groom or husband and wife. At that moment, when a guy and a girl put a fire on the water, they make wishes.

One of the biggest misconceptions about the Feast of Kupala, which Christians gave us, is that during the festival, fornication and all sorts of outrages are happening. Our Slavic ancestors were the purest, both spiritually and materially.

Preachers and missionaries who came to our country from afar saw an incomprehensible festivity with fun, games, dances. It seemed to them that it was simply disgusting, and instead of sitting on their knees and begging for eternal forgiveness, people rejoice in life.

The fact is that on Kupala, as a holiday of the maximum sun, when the unusually powerful magical forces of heaven and earth are activated, it was considered a good sign to conceive a child. According to legend, those conceived on the day of the sun on Kupala absorbed all its energy and became either the best warriors or wise women. It was also considered unlikely that a child conceived on Kupala would have supernatural powers.

The baptists probably witnessed how on a holiday, when the forces of nature were at their peak, many young people, secluded in quiet groves and meadows, tried to conceive new offspring. As a result, in order to try to take one of the most significant holidays from the Slavs, a post was imposed on him (Petrov post). In pre-Christian times, of course, there was no fasting, and the festivities were not a holiday of the stomach and spirit before a long abstinence, but the celebration of the Day of the Sun of Kupala and the end of the Mermaid Week.

The legend of how the Kupala Festival appeared

How the twins Kupala and Kostroma were born to the Goddess of Bathing

In the meantime, in the kingdom of Rule, everything continued to move in its turn. Everything moved in its turn in our earthly kingdom of Reveal. In the Iry garden, the fire god Semargl was going to go again to protect the world from dark forces. He sharpened his fiery sword, turned into a winged dog and rushed across the night sky to disperse the Chernobog great-grandchildren.

That night turned out to be difficult - time was the reason for this. The time of the summer solstice has come, the time of the holiday of many dark forces, when the sun turns to the winter. Khors is still shining brightly, full of strength, but Veles's hands are already on the great Svarog wheel, on the great wheel of time.

Very soon the sun will wane - little by little, by the minute, and then, as it is now, it will not shine: then the cold Moraine will become the mistress of the forest-fields. Even Khorsa will be covered with cold: on the day of the autumn equinox, when day and night are equal, he will extinguish his life-giving rays.

That is why the dark forces rejoice, but as yet they cannot defeat the sun. These days, Khors shines with all its might, and Dazhbog brings a bright light to the whole earth, but at night Semargl protects the world - he taught people to kindle fires, and now on the nights of the summer solstice they burn like eyes of light, dispersing away the darkness of the night. And the earth then, like a mirror, reflects the starry sky.

At this time, the wonderful Bathing Room-Night, an assistant of fertile forces, shines with such amazing beauty that the fire god Semargl finally decided - he approached, flew up to the Bathing Room and spoke of his ardent love. He told how he longs for her in heaven. And then the Beautiful Goddess answered Semargl's love, and their love was hotter than a flame and more tender than the night air.

And, as it was appointed by fate, woven as it was by the wise Makosh, as it was tied to Nedoley with Share, twins were born to Semargl with the Bathing Suit - two, a boy and a girl.

The boy was given the name Kupala, he was bright and white, his eyes, like water, were transparent and gentle. The girl's name was Kostroma, and she was bright as fire, with a warm soul and heart. Brother and sister were inseparable, they ran together through the fields and meadows and marveled at the earthly world, and the fields, and meadows, and groves. Together they marveled at the beasts of the earth and watched the flight of heavenly birds.

Kupala and Kostroma were equal in their beauty and skills, only the difference was that Kostroma loved to look at the fire, she had fun, jumping over the fire, and Kupala loved lake water more, loved river waves and swam every day.

Once Kostroma said to Kupala:

Light-winged birds told me yesterday that far, far away, by the Smorodina River, magical songs, world wonderful birds sing. Let's go with you tomorrow morning to that cherished place to hear unprecedented songs.

Kupala immediately agreed to this, he also liked bird singing.

They didn’t say anything to their father and mother, and in the morning they went to the Smorodina River, to the huge World Oak, where the Alkonost bird sat on the right and sang about life and joy, and on the left Sirin sat with a sweet voice and sang songs about the kingdom of the dead.

And Kupala listened to the sad songs of the bird Sirin, which flowed like a murmuring stream. Kupala forgot about everything in the world, closed his eyes, and then the Sirin bird took him to the dark, dead kingdom, and hid it there for years to come. And Kostroma listened to Alkonost the bird, as if flashes of bright flame were her charming songs. Kostroma did not notice how brother Kupala disappeared, and when she looked around, no one was already around. She began to call her dear brother, but Kupala did not respond to her, he was in a dark, distant side under the wing of the Sirin bird.

Since then, many years have passed, and more than once white, fierce blizzards covered a pure field of snow with snow, and more than once then lush grasses sprouted through the winter's malice. Many times since then, the red sun has passed its annual cycle. Troubles often gave way to joy.

Since then, Kostroma has grown up, become a girl - a written beauty. Grooms to Kostroma often wooed, even Veles, the wisest God, often looked at her, but none of them was loved by Kostroma.

There is none of them to match me, - she often said to mother, - among them for me there is no equal. I'm a girl, born of the Gods, not immortal, but beautiful. Who can compare with me in skills? I will not go for God for everyone! Hairy old men are no match for me. Hairy and married...

And Night Bathing Suit sighed in response. "Quiet!" - she said to her daughter. Fear, they say, troubles, they say, your beauty is equal to pride, no matter how angry the Gods are. But the lively mother Kostroma did not listen, she kept laughing, braiding her red curls into a braid. Together with other girls, she wove wreaths, but one day the wind-driven Stribog suddenly plucked a wreath from her head. He blew harder, threw it into the water, and the wreath floated downstream. And then the proud Kostroma wished to find a wreath of a groom equal to her. Let a wreath float, looking for a betrothed, so that he is exactly like her in everything!

And June, the month of the earth, was ending on earth, and July, the month of lime, was replacing it. And the day of the solstice was getting closer: until sunset, the sun shines for a long time, brighter than bright, and then a short night comes - a strange, bad time.

At this time, the world freezes in anticipation: something will be ahead, how will everything work out? Water spirits and mermaids, subjects of the mistress of Makosh, a week before the solstice loudly celebrate their wild holiday. Mavkas, vodynitsy, rags and other aquatic women put wreaths on their heads from water lilies, and then they get out of lakes and rivers and let's have fun along the banks. Unbelted, in white shirts, Slavic mermaids frolic, sing, laugh, sway in the trees, or even just sit on the grass and comb their long hair.

Slavic mermaids never had tails, but they have frisky legs, and therefore they like to dance round dances, but not salting, from left to right, towards the Rule, as live guys and girls do in honor of the Horse round, and salting, against the arrow sentry, from right to left, from world to world Navi.

Water is an amazing element, it gives life to the whole world, but water can also destroy. Through the rivers and lakes there is a path to the kingdom of the underworld, and therefore many spirits of the waters obey, except for Makosh, Veles the wise, especially those that came from the dead, from the drowned. Water spirits, moist, can help the crop grow, or they can flood everything in the bud, and if a person offended them with something or met them at an unkind hour, they will tickle them to death and drag them to their underwater world.

More than others, rags love to tickle all the people they meet, and in order to protect themselves from them in Rusalia, the holiday of all mermaids, people alone in coastal forests and flood meadows tried not to appear, and if they walked, they took garlic and wormwood with them - scare away the rags.

Patchwork from the wormwood used to run away, but the Mavkas did not care. They are not even afraid to step over the circle, over the protective iron chain! The main thing is not to anger the Mavoks, to laugh them off, the living have all hope for this. They will ask for a comb to comb their hair - give it, otherwise it will be worse. True, then the comb will have to be thrown away, otherwise you will go bald yourself, but if you don’t give it, you are greedy - the mavki will be tortured to death.

In appearance, they are such beauties that the world has never seen before: a sweet face, slender legs - everything is like that of the living. Only the beauty of the Mavok is not alive, it is dead. From the back you can see the unbeatable heart, lungs, turned green without air, and the insides soaked in the water. The beauty of their face was rewarded for their unrequited love on earth. After all, drowned women usually become mavkas, ugly, offended by life, that they rushed into the water from unhappy love.

The most vicious among the mermaids are lobsters, they like to hide in the coastal reeds. Older than the lobasta of young Mawks, smarter, stronger, more experienced. Undead they crawl out of the water, their faces are terrible, old women. Whom the lobasts attack, death will be a deliverance.

And Vodyanoy is in charge of all the mermaids - on the days of the summer solstice he does feel like a birthday boy. He is the master of the waters, he grazes his herds of fish in silence at the bottom of rivers and lakes - carps, catfish, bream - like a shepherd of cows in the field. He himself is entangled in mud, with a big belly, with a tail. Instead of hands - goose paws, bug-eyed, like a fish, with a rich beard and green mustache. All the girls are watery, transparent, obey him strictly. Only his daughters, the water maidens, play pranks on the sly from their father: they confuse fishing gear and invite the fishermen under the water with sweet songs.

During the day, Vodyanoy sleeps in the silence of deep pools or under a water mill, and at night he commands the drowned. In fact, Vodyanoy is a kind grandfather, but if he gets angry, gets excited, he can break the nets, flood the houses, or even completely destroy the dam. Most of all, he loves to indulge out of boredom - he will drag some gaping boy from the shore to the bottom and leave him to live to entertain him in the underwater silence.

And the most cheerful and nimble mermen live in springs with clean spring water - “rattling springs” that arose on earth from the lightning strikes of the Perunovs.

At such an unkind time, when Light and Darkness are measuring their strength, a wreath fell into the water of Kostroma and swam to look for her betrothed - beauty and skills like her. Exactly the same. On the waves swayed a wreath of blue, like water, flowers and red flowers, like fire.

What good fellow will catch him, to be the groom of Kostroma. Only a wreath is not given to anyone, it floats along the river, along the river, to unexplored lands.

Mermaids follow him along the water, mavkas with waterworts whisper softly. Like, it would be necessary for our Water Master to talk about that wreath, and even Bishop Veles himself should have known about the girl’s wreath. But in vain the water maidens are worried, Veles the lord has long found out about everything. For a girlish whim, for pride, for words offensive to the Gods, he decided to punish the maiden Kostroma.

By order of the underground Veles, in the gloomy kingdom, the Sirin bird released Kupapa from under its wing, put Kupapa in a boat and sent it to swim along the river-lake. He was carried out of the underworld by water, carried along the rivers to his native side, and then, with an unprecedented current, he was dragged up the Volga River - straight towards his fate.

While Kupala was with the Sirin bird, he grew up, matured, became a fine fellow, a handsome hand-written - with blue eyes, like two lakes, and blond, boiled hair.

Kupala began to look around, standing in a boat, and suddenly he saw a girlish wreath floating towards him, sparkling on the water with bright colors - blue and blue, yellow and scarlet. “It can be seen that the clever beauty was weaving that wreath,” Kupala thinks, “and let it run along the river in order to find her betrothed as soon as possible. If the girl is as beautiful as these flowers, I would like to marry her immediately!

Kupala bent down, picked up a wreath - those flowers smelled of an unearthly smell, they smelled of a forest, a fire and mermaids. And water lilies, and spicy herbs.

At the same moment, the boat carried Kupap right to the one that threw the wonderful wreath. Here Kupala floats, floats in a boat, looks and recognizes his native places - those fields and meadows, groves and forests where he and Kostroma ran together. And then Kupala looks, the girl stands on the shore, looks at him joyfully with all her eyes.

Right to that girl, his boat carried him out, went to the bank of Kupala, holding a wreath in his hands.

Is this your wreath, dear beauty?

Mine, - Kostroma answered quietly.

So they stood, looking at each other. And they fell in love with each other without memory, fell in love as soon as they saw each other. They were matched to each other, like fire and water, which cannot be without each other, but which cannot be together forever ...

Kupala and Kostroma did not recognize each other - to know that Veles was a secret idea. On the same night, without asking anyone about anything, Kupala and Kostroma got married, and the water bears were witnesses to that wedding of an unprecedented wedding. They had fun, rejoicing in the happiness of the young, and bathed with them together with Kupala and Kostroma, and then on the shore they jumped over a bright fire.

Only in the morning did the Bathing Lady find out that a great misfortune had happened to her beloved children. After all, it is impossible for twins, a brother and sister, to love each other in a conjugal way! So the Svarogov Law tells people, so the human law commands.

Bathing suit came to the children with tears, told them the bitter truth. And, as soon as the truth was revealed, in a terrible moment that their happiness ended. Now there was no more place for them on earth. They could not live in marriage, but they could not live separately either.

Out of grief, Kupala jumped into the burning fire and disappeared, as if he had never existed, and Kostroma rushed into the forest lake, and the blue-green waters closed over her head. Joyful Kostroma has become a mavka.

And the Night Bather has since become even blacker and has been dropping her bitter tears-dew on the grass since then in the morning. He doesn’t want to see anyone else, even Semargl doesn’t let his beloved on the threshold anymore. Since then, one has been walking around the world Night-Kupapnitsa, everything is yearning, sad and sad.

The Gods of Iria were also saddened, Veles's revenge was cruel. Yes, and Veles himself spun, he did not feel joy from revenge. But it is no longer possible to correct what has been done, not to reverse the Svarogov circle. And then the cunning Veles decided with his wisdom to breathe life into past suffering: he decided to turn the twins into a flower, so much so that they were inseparable forever. So that they are born again, grow together, so that they intertwine in a single flower. So that both shine in a single flower in blue and yellow-orange.

And by the will of Veles, a wondrous miracle happened in the forest clearing: yellow-blue flowers grew, flowers are bright and mysterious. “Kupala-da-mavka” - people began to call them. And since then, in the meadows and in the forests, those flowers have grown with a red flame, blue water. To this day, they grow in the forests.

You, of course, saw them, dear girls and boys, they are called Ivan da Marya now - according to Orthodox customs. But the flowers are the same, the flowers are ancient, born by Veles - in memory of the twins. And people began to revere Kupapa himself as the God of summer, wild flowers and forest fruits, the God of purification and redemption.

You, of course, have heard about the night on Kupapa - a magical, incomprehensible night on the day of the summer solstice. She is still not forgotten. Since the misfortune happened to the twins, since they died and were reborn in a flower, our distant ancestors began to celebrate the holiday in honor of Kupap and the immortal Gods of Iri - a holiday of life and death, dying and rebirth. Since then, people and Gods began to celebrate the holiday of the sun, water and fire. Since then, this night of the summer solstice has become known among the Slavs as Kupala.

Strange things happen on Kupalskaya night! Even the trees move from place to place, rustle their leaves, talk among themselves. Animals, birds and even herbs talk to each other that night, and forest flowers are filled with unprecedented power - miraculous, magical power. On this night, people gather cherished herbs, which help in divination, and heal, and become love spells, and protect from misfortunes and troubles.

Only on this night of timelessness, a fern flower blooms in the forests, a plant dedicated to the thunderer Perun - “Perun's Colors”. The witches told our ancestors that, if you go to the forest that night, take a white tablecloth, canvas and a knife with you. With a knife or a burnt torch, draw a circle around the fern bush, spread a tablecloth and sit in a circle, not taking your eyes off the fern bush. Like, various monsters and spirits, subjects of Morena, will terrify and sleep on you, and if you get scared, step out of the circle, tear you apart at the same moment.

Exactly at midnight, a flower bud will appear on the fern, burst with a bang, and an unusually bright, fiery red flower will open. It is necessary to tear it as soon as possible, before another invisible hand grabs the flower. Evil spirits will scream with a terrible voice, the earth will shake, thunder will rumble, and lightning will flash, the wind will rustle, and a terrible roar will be heard, enveloping you with flame and a suffocating smell. But if you are lucky and you take possession of the flower, cover yourself with a tablecloth and run to the village without looking back. If you look back, the flower will disappear, and if not, if you endure all the trials, then the flower will open the past, present and future for you, teach you to look for treasures, introduce you to the secrets of the Gods, teach people to guess and understand the language of birds, animals and plants.

However, people also said that it’s all fiction, an illusion of unclean forces that want to destroy people, that in fact the fern never blooms in the forest, which means there’s nothing to go after it ...

On Kupapa, young men and women poured water over each other with mud mixed, and then they bathed together and sang songs to wash away everything unclean from the soul and body, they arranged baths. In the morning they collected life-giving dew and washed themselves with that dew in order to be healthy. The Slavs believed that at this time the heavens were able to open up for a short moment, and then every wish would come true.

On this night, the sun, after sunset, also bathes in the waters to bring fertility to the earth, and therefore, in honor of the mighty sun - in honor of the round Horse, and the bright Dazhbog, and the ardent Yarila - the wheels tied with straw were lit on Kupala night, an ancient solar symbol, with a dot - hub in the center and beams-knitting needles. And then they started up these burning wheels from the hills, so that they rolled, scattering fire, to the river to the very water. Until now, in some villages, the Kupala holiday is celebrated this way.

They also played burners - a fun game in honor of the sun with songs and catch-ups. It is from the burners that modern tags originated, which you still play with pleasure, dear girls and boys.

One of the most romantic, mysterious folk holidays is undoubtedly Ivan Kupala. Whose holiday, traditions and customs of this day - this will be discussed further.

It began to be celebrated in hoary pagan antiquity. Among the Eastern Slavs, it fell on June 24th. But after the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, the date shifted to July 7th. Celebrations and rituals of Ivan's Day necessarily include three main components: fire, water and herbs.

Ivan Kupala and Christianity

The history of the origin of the holiday of Ivan Kupala tells that after the baptism of Rus', the celebration coincided with the church holiday of the Birth of John the Baptist (Ivan the Baptist). The first part of the modern name of Ivan Kupala is associated with him. The second part, according to some researchers, is named after the pagan deity of fruits and flowers Kupala. But others argue that there was no such god in the Slavic pantheon, and the name "Kupala" is associated with the rites performed on this day.

The history of the holiday of Ivan Kupala contains information that such a double name arose at a time when the church tried to completely replace the pagan holiday with a Christian one. The priests were extremely negative about the festivities and fortune-telling that took place on this day. They constantly tried to ban them, considering such entertainments ungodly, demonic and associated them with the worship of the unclean.

When Ivan Kupala is celebrated

The history of the holiday of Ivan Kupala brought to us information that inAll major celebrations begin on the evening of July 6 (June 23) at sunset and continue through the night until dawn. Night on Ivan Kupala is considered magical. At this time, all evil spirits walk and mischief: witches, mermaids, mavkas, etc., and herbs, water and fire acquire magical and healing properties.

As noted by Ivan Kupala

What to do on Ivan Kupala?Already in the afternoon on July 6 (June 23), the girls began to collect flowers, herbs and weave wreaths. Also, young people made stuffed Marena and Kupala, the main characters of the holiday. In different regions they were made in different ways: from straw, branches, a whole tree, etc. They were decorated with flowers, ribbons, berries and fruits. Madder symbolized winter withering, the dying of nature, while Kupala was a symbol of rebirth and abundance. Around the scarecrows, the boys and girls danced and sang special ritual songs, thus glorifying the eternal natural cycle. Then the effigies were usually drowned in water or burned at the stake, and the celebrations continued around the large Kupala fire.

Kupala bonfire

It was believed that on the night of Ivan Kupala, the fire acquires a special cleansing power. Therefore, a ritual bonfire was an obligatory attribute of this holiday. It was made very large and tall, so that it blazed like the sun. In the center of the fire place, a high pillar was installed, on which the skull of a horse or cow was often put on - “vidma”. Everyone gathered around the fire, from young to old, led round dances, sang, danced. When the fire burned out a little, young boys and girls began to jump over the fire to cleanse themselves, heal from ailments, protect themselves from the evil eye and evil spirits. If the girl could not jump over the fire, then she was considered a witch. They could douse with water, unfasten with nettles, sprinkle with feathers. Young couples jumped holding hands, and if the hands did not separate in the jump, they could hope for a strong union.

What else to do on Ivan Kupala? There was also a custom to burn old and unnecessary things on this day, getting rid of old grievances and troubles with them. Even at the Kupala fire, mothers burned the shirt of a sick child so that the illness that tormented their child would burn with it. And sometimes even livestock was driven over the Kupala fire in order to rid it of pestilence and disease.

healing water

The history of the holiday of Ivan Kupala tells that inOde on this day acquires a special healing power. Swimming in the reservoirs on this day was treated differently. In some regions, washing was considered an obligatory ritual, as it cleansed the body from diseases, and the soul from bad thoughts. In addition, all evil spirits (mermaids, water ones) left the reservoirs, gathering for their covens.

And in others, on the contrary, they were afraid of mass bathing precisely because of the evil spirits that were rampant that day. But they certainly tried to walk barefoot, wash themselves and even lie in the morning dew. This promised strength and health to the young men, and beauty to the girls. Also on Midsummer's Day, they liked to take a steam bath with brooms from 12 medicinal herbs collected the day before, on the Kupala night. And the water collected from the springs had miraculous power.

magical herbs

The history of the Ivan Kupala holiday contains information that on the magical Kupala night all herbs and plants acquire special power. Herbalists and healers at dawn went to collect miraculous medicinal herbs covered with healing Kupala dew. When collecting, a special prayer-conspiracy was necessarily read. And in Belarus, for example, it was believed that the properties of herbs would be further enhanced if they were collected by "old and small", that is, children and the elderly. After all, they have pure and innocent souls.

The Slavs believed that on Ivan Kupala (July 7), medicinal plants grow forest spirits - mavkas and take care of them, supplying them with healing properties.

Symbols of the sun in Kupala rites

Since the holiday of Ivan Kupala (date - July 7) was celebrated on the day of the summer solstice, many of its attributes symbolize our luminary. For example, the guys let fire wheels or tarred barrels on fire from the hills, which was supposed to symbolize the solar cycle. And one of the indispensable accessories of Kupala Christmas time is a wreath. The girl's wreath in the mythology of the Slavs has always symbolized the sun, and also youth and purity. Round dances around bonfires and effigies and special ritual songs were associated with the worship of the sun.

Signs on Ivan Kupala for girls regarding wreaths

Each young girl certainly wove herself a wreath of flowers, herbs, twigs and berries, which adorned her head during dances and festivities. The girl's wreath had a special, magical meaning on this magical night. For example, girls lowered a wreath into a river or spring, scooped up water through them and washed their faces, believing that this would make their skin white, their cheeks ruddy, and their eyes shining. But the main ritual action began a little later, when the girls ran away from the guys and, having attached lit candles to their wreaths, sent them to swim along the river. Each girl carefully watched her wreath. If he sailed far, then his mistress was bound to get married this year. If he was spinning on the spot, then marriage had to be postponed until next year. But worst of all, if the wreath sank. Then it was believed that the unlucky woman did not have a couple and she would have to spend her life alone.

However, the guys did not disregard this action. Surreptitiously observing the ceremony, they then tried to fish out the wreath of their chosen one from the river and demand a kiss from her in return.

fern color

The most famous Kupala legend about the fern flower. It has long been believed that once a year a fern flower blooms on a magical night. It blooms only for a moment and is guarded by evil spirits, but whoever finds it will gain extraordinary abilities. He will be able to understand the language of animals, birds and plants, see buried treasures through the earth's firmament, open any locks, control the earth, water and unclean spirits, become invisible, and so on.

Beliefs and signs on Ivan Kupala

It was believed that on this magical night, the trees could move and talk to each other, just like birds and animals. And in the dark forest between the trees you can see a lot of fluttering fireflies. These are the souls of the ancestors who returned to earth for only one night.

Also, on the night of Kupala, all kinds of evil spirits are activated: mermaids, mavkas, goblin, brownies and other spirits. They arrange their amusement places, having fun with all sorts of tricks.

But witches could cause the most harm, doing various dirty tricks that night and gathering for sabbaths. That is why a woman who did not come to the fire on the Kupala night could be considered a witch.

To protect themselves from otherworldly forces, they used a wide variety of amulets: twigs of holy willow, aspen pegs, hemp blossom, nettle and wormwood. And even torn men's pants, which were hung on the lintel of the barn, so that the witch could not enter and take milk from the cow or take the horse away for a trip to Bald Mountain to the place of the witches' sabbath.

Kupala night was the only opportunity for young people to have fun and dance until dawn, without causing condemnation from adults. Only a smile was caused by their countless pranks and some liberties. Perhaps that is why the people for many centuries so reverently preserved and protected this life-affirming and magical holiday, its traditions and rituals.

As you know, church holidays can have a fixed date and a rolling date. For many Orthodox people, it is extremely important to know all the numbers that the bright and revered days bring with them. 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 starts on the night of July 6 and ends on July 7 (the 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 events, ancient rituals and traditions. On the night of July 6-7, truly fantastic actions and a long-awaited merger 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 dependence on this astrological phenomenon disappeared after the transition to the Gregorian calendar.

In the Orthodox Church, the feast of Ivan Kupala is timed to coincide with the day of memory of John the Baptist, the priest who baptized Jesus Christ. This date appeared thanks to the confirmation of the gospel testimony, which said that the difference in the age of 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 onset of the New Era. One of the versions says that this day was named after the East Slavic deity Kupala, but there were people who confirmed that this idea was wrong.

Ancient rites 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 the 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 subjected to persecution, because they did not correspond to the Holy Teaching. Over time, the rituals began to acquire more and more 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 honor July 7 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, strengthen the immune system.
To get rid of cockroaches, spiders and other insects that live 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, the girls went to the forest to collect medicinal herbs and flowers. Healers are convinced that during this period, each plant is saturated with an unusual power that can cure many diseases. Yarrow, St. John's wort and chamomile were in special demand.
On this day, it was customary to collect flowers for divination - the rich. Finding a flower, the girl put it under the pillow. A blossoming bud testified to an imminent marriage, and a withered bud indicated that there would be no marriage next year.
They wove wreaths that floated on the water. According to tradition, it was necessary to collect 12 different types of plants and make a wreath out of them. If he drowns, the girl will not marry this year; if he sailed away from the shore, the groom walks very close.
As soon as the sun set, the youth kindled a huge fire and couples, holding hands, jumped over it. If young people “overcame the obstacle” without opening their hands, then they are destined to be together, on the contrary, the couple will soon part.

Fortune telling on Ivan Kupala

In addition to traditional rituals, there were those that helped everyone to find out their future fate. Here is some of them:

On a bathing night, you need to pick two blades of grass and insert them into a crack (on a wall or on a stream). The blade should hang down. After a while, you should pay attention to the blades of grass. If they are intertwined, a long and happy family life is ensured, and if they “ran away” from each other, it means that there will be a quick break with a loved one.
You can find out the duration of your life with the help of a candle. You should light an ordinary wax candle and see how long it will burn. If it burns to the end, then the fortuneteller will live a long life, if it goes out quickly, it means trouble. It is not worth raising a panic, it is possible that this sign speaks of some kind of illness.
Fortune telling on ritual fire. Near a blazing fire you need to make a wish and watch the flame. If the fire burns brightly and evenly, then the answer will be positive, and if the fire is interrupted and weakens, the wish will not come true.

Known signs

It started to rain on the holiday - in a week we should expect heat and dry weather.
On the night of Ivan Kupala, the stars shine brightly in the sky, and abundant 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 get out of the bathhouse and throw a broom over your shoulder (like throwing a bride's bouquet). In which direction he flew - the betrothed lives there.