The holiday of the top of the summer is Ivan Kupala. Traditions, rituals, games on Ivan Kupala

Traditions, rituals and features of the celebration of Ivan Kupala.

Ivan Kupala is a cheerful holiday, during which girls launch wreaths in the water to find out from whichthe shore will come narrowed. On this day the youth jumping through the fire and having fun.

When did they start celebrating Ivan Kupala? The history of the holiday

Originally a pagan holiday that the church did not recognize. On this day, people glorified the Sun God. They believed that it was June 24, the old style of meeting fire and water. In fact, this is the summer solstice. This is the feast of the two deities of Mary and Kupala. Mara is considered a woman's beginning.

Of course, the church did not recognize pagan traditions, but it decided in its own way to eradicate the celebration. Instead of the Sun God on this day, they began to glorify John the Baptist. But the tradition of jumping through the fire and letting wreaths survive.

The main tradition - jumping over the fire. The meaning of the rite

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

Earlier with the help of a fire conducted fortune-telling. For this, the couple in love must jump over the fire, holding hands. If the lovers do not disconnect the palms in the jump, they will live together until the end of life. Round the campfire there are round dances, sing songs and have fun.

What kind of herbs are collected on Ivan Kupala?

There is a tradition to collect 12 herbs and weave wreaths from them. Divination is carried out with the help of flower bouquets. Girls collect different herbs, because each plant helps in some way.

• Derbennik - helps with a hangover and casts out evil spirits. It was used to make amulets
• . Balsamin and elecampane were used to attract love. If the girl could not marry for a long time, then she collected these herbs first of all
• Water lily - helps to pass through all the obstacles. Bring a bit of such grass with you if you are going to court, or want to get the consent of the girl
• Rosehip, nettles and other prickly plants collect and burn. It is believed that with the help of such a rite you can get rid of troubles and problems.
• Under , was collecting charcoal. This tool was considered the best from abdominal pain and ailing
• Often the girls collected periwinkle , he helped attract many suitors
• trilich was very popular. From this herb prepared broths and washed. It was believed that this plant gives beauty
• Fern and thistle together with the other 10 herbs were collected and put under a pillow. At the same time they asked to come in a dream of a suede-ryazhenoj

For divination of the groom under the pillow lay the leaves of the plantain, while saying: "Tryptune companion, live by the road, see the small and old, indicate my betrothed!"

Traditions about the fern:fern?

There are many legends around this plant.

• According to the first legend, the Sun God was Jarilo, brought to the ground a fire. He gave it to those he loved. And now, once a year, the flower of the fern lights up with a magical fire. It was believed that with the help of this bush, you can open any door. It is on the night of July 7 that witches search for the color of the fern to penetrate any locks of the
• . According to the second legend, it is believed that the fern blooms once a year on Ivan Kupala. Those who are lucky enough to break the color will become the master of all. He will be able to understand the language of animals and birds, as well as read the thoughts of

. When should I bathe in Ivan Kupala?

It was believed that before the advent of Ivan Kupala in the water inhabited by all evil spirits. And exactly at 12 o'clock in the morning, all witches and ghouls leave the water, and it becomes curative.

• After midnight, you can safely enter the water. And this should not be done in the bathroom, but in nature. It must be a lake or a river
• . In addition, there is a rite going to the bath. Similarly, after midnight, it is necessary to heat the bath and go swimming with the grassy wreath of
• . The herbs are collected beforehand. This broom should not be thrown away, it is dried and it becomes a kind of amulet of

. Pouring water - another tradition of Ivan Kupala.

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

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

. Maiden wreaths: a beautiful decoration and the next rite of the

. Another we paint the rite can be considered the weaving of wreaths. The girls gathered curative herbs that night and weaved beautiful ornaments on their heads. Each unmarried girl made a product in her own way. Further, a candle was put in the center, it needed to be set on fire.

• If the fire is dry, it promised misfortune or illness
• If the wreath swam swiftly, then it meant a short marriage.
• . If this amulet was spinning on the spot, it would take the girls a long time to walk
• It was believed that if the wreath floated to some shore,that side should wait for matchmakers
• The most interesting thing is that loving couples also launched wreaths. By the way they swim, you can judge the future of lovers.
• If the wreath spreads, then the couple will not be together

In the event of a joint crossing of the river by wreaths, lovers will go hand in hand all their lives.

Can I sleep on Ivan Kupala? People's beliefs

You can not sleep in the Bathing Night. Old people say that at this time comes the evil spirits, which seeks to cause much harm to people and animals. Recommend not to go to bed so that the evil spirits do not take possession of the body and soul. To the evil spirits did not penetrate into the house and the barn, near the doorway lay the leaves of the nettle. It is believed that this plant drives away the demons.

Witches, Ghouls, Mermaids - Characters at the Feast of Ivan Kupala.

It is believed that the bathing night come to life witches, ghouls and evil spirits. They seek to get to Bald Mountain, where they organize orgies and holidays. This place in Kiev differs from most hills by the lack of vegetation. According to the legends on Bald Mountain, the main Sabbath was held in the year among mermaids, witches and devils.

Accordingly, this place can not be visited in the Kupala night. To the evil spirits around, it is worth wearing a twig of fern. This plant has a super-strong and is a kind of amulet.

How to celebrate Ivan Kupala: advice and feedback

Ask about how Ivan Kupala celebrated grandmothers. They are the guardians of traditions. There is no need to organize an entertaining program. The main thing is not to stay at home, but to spend time with friends.

• Light a fire and lead dances
• Be sure to arrange bathing after midnight
• Weave the wreath and let it into the river
• Prepare wards from the evil force
• Guess at the betrothed

Of course, modern youth do not believe that Ivan Kupala is revived by evil spirits. First of all - it's a national holiday and the opportunity to have a lot of fun.

VIDEO: Celebration of Ivan Kupala