Photos from open sources

Swimming, jumping over a fire, fortune telling and searching for blooming ferns. The main attributes of Ivan Kupala, celebrated on the night of July 6-7, perhaps, are known to everyone, but the holiday itself is far from limited to just this.

Ivan Kupala can easily be called an ancient holiday. Many years later, it remains just as popular and one of the most extraordinary days, moreover, known for its original traditions and rituals. We will tell you about them, as well as about the holiday in general, in more detail.

When is Ivan Kupala celebrated?

It’s not for nothing that we start with this question, since it remains one of the most common, and confusion should be avoided in the future.

There are two dates for Ivan Kupala. Old style it was celebrated (and, by the way, many still continue to celebrate) during the summer solstice ( June 20-22). This period was a time of celebration even among the pagans.

Since the advent of Christianity in Ukraine and other countries celebrating Ivan Kupala, the date has changed. New style now it is the night of July 6-7. Thus, Ivan Kupala coincides with one of the most famous Orthodox holidays– Merry Christmas to John the Baptist.

Presumably, Ivan Kupala originated from pagan rituals of cleansing, washing, which took place in rivers and lakes on the day of the summer solstice.

Where does the name Ivan Kupala come from?

It’s worth clarifying right away: the pre-Christian name of the holiday still unknown. The very name Ivan Kupala is of folk Christian origin and is a Slavic version of the name John the Baptist ( translated from Greek - immerser, bather).

Other names: Midsummer's Day, Kupala, Kolosok, Yarilin's Day, Kokuy, Ivan the Herbalist, Sontsekres, Kupailo, Kupalle, Ivan Kaldunski.

What not to do on Ivan Kupala?

It is believed that on Ivan Kupala all sorts of evil spirits awaken - witches, snakes, mermen, mermaids, werewolves. That's why you can't sleep this night.

In addition, during this period it is not customary to give, sell or borrow anything, otherwise the family may become poor.

Photos from open sources

What rituals and beliefs are associated with Ivan Kupala?

Key characters Ivana Kupala - water, fire and herbs.

Required attribute number one is swimming at sunrise. It is believed that in this way a person undergoes a kind of cleansing procedure - washes away diseases and strengthens the immune system. Bathing took place in various places: some cleaned themselves in rivers, others prepared a bathhouse for this.

After it was the turn of fire. Bonfires were lit on hills or near rivers. Sometimes fire was produced in an ancient way - by rubbing wood against wood. Fires were lit late in the evening and often burned until the morning.

Interestingly, in the villages all the women of the village had to come out to the fire. The one who didn't show up came under suspicion of witchcraft.

Round dances were held around the fires, but its most famous purpose is different.

Photos from open sources

People jumped over the fire: both boys and girls alone, and couples holding hands. It was believed that if young people crossed the fire without letting go of each other’s hands, it meant that they were destined to be together. If the hands opened, it meant that the couple would soon separate.

When the youth finished their festivities with bonfires, the older generation passed their livestock between the Kupala bonfires so that they would not suffer death and illness.

Another important attribute of the holiday there were and remain fortune telling.

The girls told fortunes about their betrothed - they wove wreaths from 12 different types plants, after which they were launched into the water.

If the wreath drowns, the girl won't get married this year, if you sailed away from the shore- The wedding is already close.

In addition, on this day it is customary to collect flowers for fortune telling - rich people. Having found a flower, the girl put it under her pillow. If the bud has blossomed- marriage soon, if it's wilted, then you'll have to wait.

On the night of Ivan Kupala, girls went into the forest to collect medicinal herbs and flowers, which, according to beliefs, were imbued with special powers during this period.

For example, the Ivan-da-Marya flower, picked on bathing night, had to be placed in all corners of one’s hut. It was believed that a thief would never break in because he would hear voices in the house.

And, of course, it officially started fern hunt.

Find him if you can

There is a belief that only once a year, on the night of Ivan Kupala, fern blooms.

A mythical flower that does not exist in nature will supposedly give to the one who finds and picks it, special powers and capabilities.

In particular, the owner of the flower becomes perspicacious, gets the opportunity to understand the language of animals, see all treasures, become invisible, take on any form, and also open the locks of treasuries just by applying the flower to them.

In general, this is what the Ivan Kupala holiday is like. Special and original.

Tonight, Russians celebrated the summer holiday of Ivan Kupala. It was believed that on this special magical night one could not sleep, because on this night various evil spirits woke up - witches, mermen, mermaids, werewolves. This bright mystical holiday is rich interesting traditions and colorful rituals.

Ancient pagan holiday Ivan Kupala, dedicated to the summer solstice, is one of the main dates in the Slavic calendar, which is celebrated on July 7.

The holiday begins to be celebrated on the night of July 7, which is popularly considered special - only on this night can one find the mystical fern flower, which will bring happiness and wealth to a person.

How the holiday came about

The vibrant folk holiday of Ivan Kupala takes its origins from paganism, although its origins have not been precisely established. Ivan Kupala supposedly originated from pagan rituals of cleansing, washing, which took place in rivers and lakes on the day of the summer solstice.

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

Traditions of the holiday of Ivan Kupala

It is not customary to sleep on the night of Ivan Kupala. It is believed that by organizing noisy celebrations and dances, as well as cheerfully singing songs, young people scare away evil forces from their homes.

It was believed that there was no need to swim, since the merman could be pulled into the water.

Traditionally, on this holiday, large bonfires were lit, around which festivities took place, a common meal was held, round dances were performed, songs were sung and danced. At the same time, festivities around the “cleansing” fire begin in the evening.

After midnight and before dawn on July 7, the water in reservoirs acquires powerful healing powers. Therefore, before sunrise, take a swim in a lake or river. It also adds health and cures all ailments.

Jumping over the fire

Jumping over the fire on Ivan Kupala was one of the most important rituals for the holiday - to attract good luck, success and health. Whoever jumps the highest will be the luckiest, healthiest and most beautiful.

To cleanse your body and soul from illnesses and evil thoughts, you need to jump over the Kupala fire three times. For the ritual to work, collect branches of male (beech, oak, maple) and female trees (rowan, alder and pine) and lay them out in the shape of a pyramid and set them on fire. Before jumping, ask the fire to take away illnesses and adversities.

Lovers can find out the future of their relationship with the help of a fire. Hand in hand, the couple must jump over the Kupala fire. If lovers do not let go of their hands while jumping, they will live together for the rest of their lives; if they open their palms, there will be quarrels.

And women who have not had children for a long time jump in order to recover from infertility.

The Slavs believed that the Kupala fire destroys all evil - illness, misfortune, poverty. That is why old clothes were burned on it. There was a custom of throwing the shirt of a sick child into the Kupala fire. It was believed that his illness burned away along with her. Livestock was often driven through the Kupala fire to protect it from pestilence.

Whoever jumps the highest will be the luckiest, healthiest and most beautiful.

Photo: vottak.net

Wreaths for Ivan Kupala

On Ivan Kupala, women and men who want to find a partner weave a Kupala wreath. Chamomile, St. John's wort, wormwood, nettle and other medicinal herbs must be woven into it. After Kupala, such a wreath serves as a talisman all year round. They hang it above the door so that not a single unkind glance can penetrate through it. If one of the household members gets sick, the housewife plucks a little grass from the wreath and throws it into a decoction or tea. Often, by the next Kupala holiday, all that remains of the wreath is the rim, which is burned in the Kupala bonfire.

On this night, unmarried girls also wove wreaths from herbs and flowers and threw them into the water: if the wreath sank, they won’t be asked to marry in the next year, the guy will stop loving her, even if he hasn’t sailed from the shore, the betrothed is somewhere very close, and if he has sailed far away - then a guy from afar will woo.

Many traditions on Ivan Kupala are associated with water.
Photo: imperia-lna.ru

How to tell fortunes on Ivan Kupala

• For love. Before going to bed, you need to collect a few plantain leaves and put it under your pillow. When going to bed, you should say: “Triputnik-fellow traveler, you live along the road, you see young and old, say my betrothed!” On this night, the girl should dream about her betrothed.


• For the groom. Pluck as many branches of fern as you guess for the number of people. Fortune telling at midnight from July 6 to 7. For each branch, think of the name of the guy you want as your betrothed. Mark them with colored threads to avoid confusion. Dip into the water near the shore of the pond and press the branches to the bottom with your hand. Release quickly. Whichever branch comes up first, the guy planned for it will become your destiny.


• For the future. To do this, you need to break a church candle into several pieces and melt the wax. Once it melts, pour it into a container of water. What figure he will take is what he expects in the near future. For example, a ring or candle - for a wedding, a wallet - for money, a star - for luck, a heart - for love, a flag - for the visit of an important guest, flowers - for a new admirer, stripes - for travel, waves - for the fulfillment of desires.

The girls wondered about Ivan Kupala.
Photo: vseodetyah.com

Water on Ivan Kupala

Many traditions on Ivan Kupala are associated with water. On July 7, Christians also celebrate the birthday of John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus in the Jordan. Therefore, it is believed that from this day on, swimming in open waters becomes safe - all evil spirits are expelled from rivers and lakes.

Kupala’s protection over those who like to swim and frolic in the water lasts until Ilyin’s Day, which is celebrated on August 2. In addition to healing bathing, morning dew can heal the body and soul, and it will make young girls even more beautiful. After washing in the morning, in the evening the girls throw wreaths on the water, telling fortunes about love.

Signs on Ivan Kupala

• Our ancestors, as on any other holiday, carefully monitored the weather on this day. If it rains on Midsummer, the whole summer will be hot and the weather will be dry.


• But if at night the sky is generously dotted with stars, and in the morning nature gives abundant dew, then there will be a good harvest of cucumbers, mushrooms, and indeed all vegetables.


• On this day, they tried to avoid meeting snakes, because if you see one on this holiday, then trouble cannot be avoided and heavy losses are expected soon.


• After collecting the herbs, all the women carefully counted them. If there are twelve types of plants, then the family will definitely have a wedding in the coming year.


• Many believed that horses were especially dangerous, and could be used by evil spirits for their own purposes. In this case, they will not get out alive. Therefore, they tried to lock them up securely.

Fortune telling, beliefs and signs

• The most common thing on Ivan Kupala remains fortune telling using wreaths. Wreaths were woven from various herbs - burdock, bear's ear, Bogorodskaya grass (thyme, thyme) or Ivana da Marya, into which lit small splinters or candles were inserted. Then they launched them into the water and watched them closely.If the wreath began to quickly float away from the shore, it meant a happy and long life or a good marriage, and if the wreath sank, it meant that the girl would not get married this year or her betrothed would stop loving her.


• The happiest person could be the one whose wreath floated the farthest, and who lived the longest - whose candle or splinter in the wreath burned out the longest.


• On this night, people used nettles to protect themselves from the attacks of various evil spirits - for this purpose, the plant was laid out on the threshold of the house and on the windowsills.


• On Kupala Night, people always locked up their horses, which were especially vulnerable that night, as witches hunted them to go to Bald Mountain, from which horses did not return alive.


• On the night of Ivan Kupala, people looked for anthills and collected ant oil, which, according to legend, was endowed with great healing properties on this night.


• The Ivan da Marya flower, picked on the night of Ivan Kupala, had to be placed in all corners of the house - people believed that this protected it from the attacks of thieves.


• According to one legend, the Ivan-da-Marya flower is a brother and sister who fell in love with each other and were punished for it and turned into a flower. Brother and sister will talk, and this will scare away the thieves.


• It is believed that on the night of Ivan Kupala, trees can move from one place to another, talk to each other through the rustling of leaves. This also applied to grass and flowers. Even animals, according to legend, talk to each other on this night.


• According to one of the signs, at midnight you need to pick flowers without looking and put them under your pillow, and in the morning check whether you have collected twelve different herbs or not. If there is enough, the girl will get married this year.


• They place a triputnik (plantain) under the head, saying: “Triputnik-fellow traveler, you live along the road, you see young and old, say my betrothed!”


• On Midsummer's Day, before sunrise, you need to carry a bear's head through your herd and bury it in the middle of the yard, then there will be no death among the livestock.


• And if you climb over twelve vegetable gardens on Midsummer Day, any wish will come true.


• Heavy dew on Ivan Kupala means a harvest of cucumbers; if it is starry on Midsummer night, there will be a lot of mushrooms.

The material was prepared based on open sources

Each important calendar event is accompanied by special ceremonies, interesting rituals, dances and songs. The holiday of Ivan Kupala is incredibly exciting in this sense! It is associated with fun, songs, dances and even magic.

The history of the holiday

The summer Kupala holiday is considered special and magical, because it is at this time that you can find the miraculous flower of fern and other mysterious plants that can give a person happiness, peace, prosperity and long life.

The first mentions of this July holiday were found nine centuries ago. It has been celebrated since pagan times, but the exact history of its origin has not been established. Most likely, it arose from rituals of ablution and purification on lakes and rivers. Previously, this day was considered the day of maturity of the summer season.

When Christianity was adopted in Rus', pagan traditions were not abandoned. Bathing became a symbol of the rite of baptism.

Nowadays, this celebration is considered both church and national. It is celebrated in Russia and other countries of the world. True, in each it is called differently. Although some views on the celebration have different countries converge.

The holiday originated many centuries ago. Of course, its rituals and traditions are somewhat mystified. They are intertwined with legends and dark forces. Some people are fascinated by this, others are scared. Despite this, Ivan Kupala is loved and honored from generation to generation.

Night of Ivan Kupala

The main rituals and traditions of the night of Ivan Kupala

Midsummer's Eve was always celebrated in the evening. On the day of the summer solstice, people performed many summer ceremonies and fire, water, and herbal rituals. One of the most important traditions of this holiday is fortune telling. Many of the traditional rituals have survived to this day.

On the night of Kupala, every person must take a dip in the pond, wash and douse himself with water. In ancient times, everyone was convinced that everything evil, unkind, unclean left the rivers and lakes. The miraculous water helped to cleanse the body and soul, as well as to heal and become healthy.

In villages where there was no body of water nearby, residents used local baths. They washed themselves in them, recharging with vigor and energy. And the brooms that were made on this day for the bath were used throughout the year.

Nowadays, the custom of dousing yourself with water is popular. People still believe that it cleanses a person, washes away illnesses and all the bad things from him. These are well-known traditions of the Russian people.

During the celebration, young and old enjoyed themselves in all sorts of ways. They had a feast - they brought delicacies, cooked together hearty dishes. During the climax, effigies made in advance from mown grass, Marena and Kupala, were burned at the stake. This became a symbol of the wedding.

Popular beliefs say that at this hour of opposition, fire and water enter into a noble union. It has a strong sacred meaning. Its symbol has become the atmospheric Kupala bonfires, which are kindled on the shores of lakes and rivers even today.

Bonfire on the night of Ivan Kupala

Parents destroyed everything that children suffering from the disease were wearing. This contributed to their recovery and protected them from illness. Men, women and old people walked livestock between fires to protect them from death and disease.

Dancing, round dances and jumping over the fire - this tradition has remained one of the favorites among modern youth. If you jump high and the flame does not touch a person, he will become happy. People believed that fire would help women and girls gain beauty, sexuality and health, and boys and men - luck, courage and courage. Young married couples, a girl and a guy who wanted to get married, as well as lovers, also jumped hands over the fire. Thanks to this, they received family well-being and good luck. On Kupala night true love is born.

People believed that fire had incredible cleansing, protective and miraculous powers. On the night of Ivan Kupala, no one slept. After all, mermaids, werewolves, goblins, and all sorts of other evil spirits appeared that could easily harm people. Villagers tried to protect themselves with large bonfires and fire. In addition, this night is the shortest of the year. Which means it should be full of fun.

Nowadays, on the night of July 6-7, residents of villages, villages, small towns and cities gather outdoors near a reservoir to honor the traditions of their ancestors. They have fun, sing songs and even go in search of a fern flower. Men and women dress in beautiful clothes, weaving wreaths. The holiday continues to live after many years.

Plant collection

Forest and field plants also had a sacred meaning. In this regard, there are many Russian folk rituals regarding the collection and use of plants. It is important to collect flowers and herbs before sunrise, otherwise all their healing properties will disappear.

Most often, flowers and herbs were dried and made into medicinal tea. They gave it to people who suffered from illnesses, drove out evil spirits, and invoked good luck, health and prosperity.

Plants helped overcome evil spirits. They were also used in various magical rituals.

Tradition says that the main flower on this special night was and is the fern. This is a mysterious plant that reveals enchanting treasures and secrets of the world. It gives clairvoyance and power over evil spirits. Finding and picking a flower is incredibly difficult. It blooms only for one moment at Kupala midnight. Evil forces intimidate a person, sometimes they deprive him of memory, speech and reason.

Fern on the night of Ivan Kupala

Flying grass was also considered magical. According to legend, it can transport a person many miles from his home.

Songs

The songs that people sang during the celebration played an important role. Their content is connected not only with the mythology of bathing, celebration traditions and rituals. Love, play, humorous and round dance songs, as well as play and ballads, were popular. They are distinguished by a specific motive. They were sung only during the Kupala period.

Signs, fortune telling and beliefs

One of the most important symbols of the celebration is a wreath. It was made from a variety of herbs, which were believed to have miraculous powers. They carefully inserted burning candles into it and let it into the water. If he quickly swam away from the shore, the girl could expect a good, happy marriage and a long, peaceful life. If the wreath went under water, the girl should no longer hope for marriage that year.

The sign says that a girl needs to collect a bouquet at midnight with her eyes closed and put it under her pillow. If there are as many plants there as there are months in the year, the girl should expect marriage soon.

One of the common symbols of Kupala Day is overcome-grass. This is a talisman that is designed to protect its owner from various ailments and diseases.

Money conspiracies are also carried out in various ways on this day. They look more real than searching for magic in the forest.

Solar games

According to legend, the sun at sunrise on this day blinks, shimmers in a wide variety of shades, stops and jumps. The Serbs believed that the sun stops three times on Ivan Kupala. Some Bulgarians believe that at dawn there are 3 suns - one shines on our earth, two on the other.

Ritual "disgrace"

On Kupala night, young people often committed ritual outrages - they stole gates, carts, sleighs and hid them in a wide variety of places. Young people covered the windows and propped up the doors of houses so that people could not go out into the street. The boys and girls scattered firewood, threw fences and objects in the yard, removed gates and gates, overturned sleighs, carts and boats, threw them onto the roof and closed the chimneys. They built barricades and blocked the road. Young people stole items from some yards and moved them to others. Things were hidden near rivers and lakes. They threw a wide variety of objects into the well - from logs to flax grinders.

Most traditions have not been preserved in our time. But both young and older people remember the holiday. It is a favorite among exciting summer events. It attracts with mysticism, magic and amazing rituals. People still enjoy immersing themselves in the spirit of ancient times.

The holiday of Ivan Kupala among the Slavs

Ivan Kupala (Midsummer Day, Kupala Night)- a folk holiday of the Eastern Slavs, dedicated to the summer solstice and the highest flowering of nature and celebrated on July 7 (June 24, old style). The timing coincides with a Christian holiday Nativity of John the Baptist, falling in Orthodox churches on July 7th. In the calendar cycle it is symmetrical to Christmas (Kolyada).

The night before the holiday surpasses the day of Ivan Kupala itself in its ritual content.

The holiday of Ivan Kupala among the Slavs is an ancient ritual holiday. From among the participants of the holiday, people who know the ritual rules, a “police officer” is selected who will prepare and conduct the holiday. Praises and various ritual spells are read during the holiday by priests (magi, priests), a constable, and an elder.

Traditionally, Ivan Kupala began like this: in the morning, girls collect herbs and flowers, weave wreaths and store amulets (wormwood, St. John's wort, nettle) for all participants in the holiday. Protective herbs are usually attached to the belt.

The guys cut down a tree (birch, willow, black maple) one and a half, two human heights ahead of time. It is installed in the place chosen for the festivities (a clean, flat field, a hill, the bank of a river, a lake). The girls decorate the tree with flowers and colored scraps of fabric. The tree is popularly called “madder” or “kupala”. An image of Yarila is placed under the tree - a doll half the size of a man. The doll is knitted from straw, branches, and sometimes sculpted from clay.

“Yarila” is dressed in clothes, decorated with a wreath, flowers and ribbons. He should be given a symbol of manhood and fertility - a wooden goy (genital organ) of impressive size, painted red. In front of “Yarila”, dishes are placed on a platter or scarf. The guys prepare firewood and build two fires near the tree. One, large (Kupalets), up to four human heights; in the middle of it a tall pole is installed, on top of which a tarred wooden wheel or a bunch of straw and dry branches is attached. Near this fire the fun will begin. Another fire, built in the shape of a well, is not so large, up to the man’s waist. This is a funeral pyre (steal), to burn the face of Yarila.

Wreaths, nettles for bathing and herbal amulets, placed at the temple (if there is one) or under a birch tree, are blessed with water and fire by the clergy present (magi, priests), or those who can replace them (policeman, elder).

The girls start a round dance around the birch tree and sing. The guys make “raids” during this round dance, not in full force, of course, trying to snatch the birch tree. The one who succeeds runs to the river, where he waits for the others. The wise men break off pieces from the birch tree and distribute them to everyone. These pieces are fertile. The tree is thrown into the water, and the wise men pronounce the sentence. They throw flowers, blessed herbs, and nettles into the water (amulet against mermaids) and, naked, begin to swim. Having enjoyed the water to their fullest, closer to dusk they gather for the fire - Kupalets. A girl is supposed to light it. This is where the fun begins. There is a din and din, with horns and tambourines, rattles and bells playing, and singing loudly, in a round dance.

There is fun going on, riddles are being asked, people are walking around as mummers, games are being organized: “lizard”, “brook”, “horses”. Well done, they show fights for fun. The girls are celebrating on the sidelines, keeping an eye on their betrotheds. When the fire burns out and settles, the choice of betrothed begins.

The girl pats the guy on the shoulder and runs away, and he runs to catch up with her. Having caught it, he leads her to the fire, over which they jump, holding on to a doll on a stick. If the hands do not move apart when jumping, then the pair is made. And if they separate, then everyone is looking for a mate. When all the pairs are made, the elder asks: “Has everyone forgiven the insults?” If there are those who are offended, they will be judged publicly. A feast is arranged near the fire (porridge, eggs, lard, pancakes, beer - a must). Each person is given a piece of consecrated food brought from the temple. They sing songs by the fire, tell old tales, epics and fables. Afterwards, in the night, they light a wooden wheel and roll it to the water. On the river, the betrothed exchange wreaths, after which each puts his wreath on a raft made of branches and straw and floats it across the water. The girls are singing.

A fire is lit on the shore, the couples, having separated and naked, bathe in the night river, and then make love. Those who have not found the couples gather at the fire - Kupalts, who will go to bed, whom the elder will send to stand guard until the morning, to protect the holiday from enemies.

From night to dawn, the Magi collect healing Kupala dew. Magic herbs are cut (elecampane, chertogon, Chernobyl, head grass, St. John's wort, Mother of God grass, Veles root, tripartite, chaffinch, tirlich, deer-root, weeping grass, gap-grass). Daredevils look for the color of ferns in the night. At dawn the holiday ends.

In Russia today these traditions continue to live. In different regions, on the night of Ivan Kupala, it is customary to gather on the banks of rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. Russian folk groups and other creative groups perform at the festivals. People burn big bonfires, jump over them, dance in circles, weave wreaths of herbs and flowers, sing songs and just have fun. And someone is looking for a fern flower...

In Ukraine, Ivan Kupala is one of the most poetic holidays of the ritual calendar. The Kupala lights inspired the creativity of not only the great N.V. Gogol, but also many other writers and poets. The Church celebrates the Nativity of John the Baptist on this day. Even in pre-Christian times, the Slavs celebrated the holiday of Kupail, that is, the Sun. By merging Christian and pagan traditions, the holiday of Ivan Kupala was formed.

Especially for Kupala Day in Ukraine, boys and girls made stuffed dolls - Kupala and Marena. The main events of the evening on Ivan Kupala take place around these characters. Madder is a doll made of straw that is dressed in women's clothing. The bathing suit is also made of straw, but the clothes on it are men's. Madder, accordingly, is made by girls, and Kupalo by boys. It is interesting that the origin of the images of neither Marena nor Kupala is known, but it is known that both Kupala and Marena will face a tragic ending. They are both drowned or burned.

Madder

As is known, this custom is still well preserved in rural areas of Ukraine. The main entertainment of the evening on Ivan Kupala is jumping over the fire. If you jump very quickly, they think that there will be good health If the lovers successfully jump over the flame, they will soon get married. And God forbid you jump into the fire - troubles cannot be avoided throughout the year.

Henryk Semiradsky. Night on Ivan Kupala

After the fun activities are over, you can go and relax. This does not apply only to the bravest and purest of hearts, who have a chance to find a magical fern flower and receive all earthly treasures. But remember: the path to the flower is protected by evil spirits, and the earthly riches that it opens have never brought anyone any good. On the day of Ivan Kupala they tried to heal themselves with dew. To do this, you need to get up as early as possible and walk barefoot through the healing Kupala dew. On this day, a massive collection of medicinal herbs took place. The Kupala herb gains special healing power at sunrise, so, as they say, “He who gets up early, God gives to him!”

The holiday of Ivan Kupala was previously celebrated on June 24, but due to the transition to a new style, it is now celebrated in July. July 7, 2017 Russian Orthodox Church celebrates, first of all, the Nativity of the honest, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John. However, in Russia, many holidays also incorporate non-canonical rituals. Ivan Kupala Day- one of the most mystical national holidays, and the night before Ivan Kupala surpasses the day itself in ritual content. It should be noted that since the Middle Ages, rituals and games on Ivan Kupala were considered demonic and were prohibited by church authorities. But, despite the unequivocal condemnation of the traditions of Ivan Kupala, some of them are still alive.

Rituals on Ivan Kupala

On Ivan Kupala, the ancient Slavs especially revered two cleansing, protective and healing elements: Fire and Water. The energy of Fire as a symbolic manifestation of the Sun God was combined with the energy of Mother Water, therefore rituals for the day of Ivan Kupala are associated with water, fire and nature.

Folk traditions on Ivan Kupala - bonfires on Ivan Kupala

On Ivan Kupala, large bonfires were lit on the edge of the village, sparks from which were supposed to fly to the very stars. Celebrations took place around the fires: they had a common meal, danced in circles, sang songs and danced.

One of the important rituals on Ivan Kupala was jumping over the Kupala fire. Whoever jumps the highest will be the luckiest, healthiest and most beautiful.

Guys and girls to cement their love jumped over the fire in twos holding hands. And women who have not had children for a long time, jumped through fire to cure infertility.

Jumping over the Kupala bonfire has a whole range of will take place on Ivan Kupala:

• if you jump three times, the year will be healthy, prosperous, happy, successful;
• if you suddenly stumbled, it means illness;
• If you turn the fire with your foot, trouble will ensue in the family.

Then you definitely need to jump over the fire 9 times, mentally forming positive images.

The Slavs believed that Kupala fire destroys all evil - disease, misfortune, poverty. That's why on it burned old, shabby clothes. There was a custom of throwing the shirt of a sick child into the Kupala fire. It was believed that his illness burned away along with her.

Livestock were often driven through the Kupala fire to protect her from pestilence.

Folk traditions on Ivan Kupala - The great power of water

The rituals for Ivan Kupala did not end there. Having jumped over the fire, you had to immediately throw yourself into the water - “ice and fire” give an amazing cleansing effect. The girls tried to jump into the water so that the wreath from their heads floated on the water.. A good sign on Ivan Kupala was when the wreath did not sink, but floated, the direction of its movement indicated where to wait for the matchmakers.

It can be said that mass bathing is one of the main rites of Midsummer's Day. The Slavs believed that on the night before the holiday, water bodies and mermaids leave the reservoirs, so you can swim in them without fear until Ilya’s day.

Washing their bodies in Kupala water, the girls chanted the magic words: “The water is clean, Kupaila, I want to be red and sweet. Kupala water, let me wash myself with beauty!” By the way, if a person refused to swim on Midsummer’s Day, he was suspected of witchcraft.

At dawn On Ivan Kupala it was customary to wash with dew. Women always collected Kupala dew in a bottle. It helped get rid of acne, the skin became clean and soft. Ivan's dew was also used for eye diseases. They sprinkled the same dew on the walls of their houses to protect their homes from evil spirits and insects.

On Ivan Kupala, be sure to take a steam bath in the baths. At the same time, they used brooms and water infused with Ivanovo herbs (Ivanovo herbs are called herbs consecrated in churches for John the Baptist). They believed that the bathhouse on the day of Ivan Kupala contributed to the strengthening and restoration vital energy and health.

The custom was widespread pour water on people you meet on Midsummer's Day. This was done in order to cause rain during the hot season.

Folk traditions on Ivan Kupala - collecting herbs on Ivan Kupala

All herbs and plants acquire supernatural power on Kupala night- both evil and good. The fern blooms in marvelous colors on Ivan Kupala. The fern flower is also called “heat flower” because it... According to legend, it seems to burn with a red flame, so bright that at night it becomes clear as during the day, and the eyes cannot stand such a blinding light. Legend has it that everyone who pick a fern flower on Ivan Kupala, will acquire magical powers, be able to predict the future, learn to understand the language of birds, plants and animals, and also gain the ability to become invisible to human eyes. Fern flower is able to open any locks, iron bars and doors, and will help discover treasures buried in the ground. It's just not so easy to get it. After all, not only people follow the flower of happiness, but also evil forces that are difficult to fight. They are trying to interfere, to distract attention. If you still managed to find a flower of happiness, you had to hide it on your heart under your clothes. Then you should take the wormwood in your left hand and draw a circle around you with chalk - then the evil forces will not be able to do anything to the lucky person.

Medicinal plants on Ivan Kupala harvested at dawn, away from settlements and roads, always in good mood and with prayer. In addition to their healing properties, plants have significant magical powers at this time.

The grass tirlich was especially revered by Ivan Kupala.. The decoction was always made from it in a new pot, which was bought without haggling. They washed themselves with this decoction to attract the attention of the chosen one, saying three times: “Tirlich, tirlich! Call my darling!” This ritual was also performed on Ivan Kupala in order for the girl to get married faster.

Another love plant is periwinkle. They used it to make guys “follow” girls. We also prepared lovage, which was popularly called the “love root.” They believed: in order to always remain young, beautiful and attractive to the opposite sex, you need to bathe in water with a decoction of lovage, and to attract love, you can add seven rose buds to the water.

In addition, St. John's wort was collected on Ivan Kupala- All evil spirits are afraid of him as well. as well as sunlight. And if on the night of Ivan Kupala, pick the Ivan da Marya flower and placed in the corners of the house, the thief will not approach this dwelling: the brother and sister (yellow and purple flowers of the plant) will talk to each other, and the thief will think that the owner and the mistress are talking. Before drying herbs from Midsummer, they were blessed in churches, and then they fumigated sick people with them, used them as amulets, and threw them into a melted stove during a thunderstorm so that lightning would not strike the house.

The holiday of Ivan Kupala was a special time for pregnant women and those who were just planning to conceive a child. They collected the following herbs: nettle, chamomile, thyme, string, lovage, wormwood. When the baby is born, the mother will already have Kupala charmed herbs filled with ancestral strength and energy. They made tea from them, infused it and added it to the font. So from the very first days, the mother helped the baby find health. If you continue to bathe a girl using Kupala herbs until she is three years old, she will grow up to be a beauty who will be loved by everyone around her.

Folk traditions on Ivan Kupala - Kupala wreath

On Ivan Kupala not only women, but also men who wanted to find a match after their hearts, weaved a Kupala wreath. Must be woven into it chamomile, St. John's wort, wormwood, nettle and other medicinal herbs. After Kupala, such a wreath served as a talisman all year. It was hung above the door so that not a single unkind glance could penetrate through it. If one of the household members fell ill, the housewife plucked a little grass from the wreath and threw it into decoctions and teas. Often, by the next Kupala holiday, all that was left of the wreath was headband, which was burned in the Kupala bonfire.

Protective rituals for Ivan Kupala

• On Kupala night happiness walks the earth, but along with it comes evil spirits. Therefore, for protection two days before the holiday, picked burdocks were placed under the roof of the house.
• The owners did not sleep on Kupala night because evil spirits can spoil a horse, a cow or, even worse, live in the house forever.
• To protect yourself from misfortunes, put nettles on the threshold and on the windowsills.
• Girls on Ivan Kupala wore garlic in their belts.
• They locked the horses so that the witches would not steal them and ride them to Bald Mountain: the horse would definitely not return from there alive!

photo by D. Frolov fotograf-frolov.com