Shrovetide is one of the most fun and long-awaited holidays of the year, the celebration of which lasts a whole week. At this time, people have fun, go to visit, arrange festivities and eat pancakes. Before entering Great Lent, people say goodbye to winter, enjoy the warm spring days, and, of course, bake delicious pancakes.

The date of Maslenitsa celebration changes every year. It depends primarily on the calendar and Easter: they start celebrating Maslenitsa 56 days before the Bright Resurrection of Christ. Thus, this year Pancake week falls on February 12-18. In liturgical books, this period is called Cheese Week - this is the last week before Great Lent, which comes the day after Maslenitsa and lasts 48 days. The whole week is divided into two periods: Narrow Shrovetide - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Wide Shrovetide - Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Many people are anxiously awaiting the onset of Maslenitsa, the traditions of celebrating which are rooted deep into our history. Today, as in the old days, this holiday is celebrated on a grand scale, with chants, dances and competitions. The most popular pastimes are: fisticuffs, eating pancakes for a while, sleigh rides, “conquering” a pole, tug-of-war, swimming in ice holes and the main ritual - burning an effigy, symbolizing the end of the annoying winter and the welcome of the long-awaited spring.

Customs for Maslenitsa

• The first pancake on Maslenitsa is always eaten in honor of the memory of deceased ancestors.
• In past times, there was a custom that is now completely forgotten: at the end of Maslenitsa, the father-in-law would definitely invite his son-in-law to “finish the ram”, that is, the last meat day before the start of Lent.
• On Maslenitsa, children whistled into whistles that were made in the form of birds, thereby calling migratory birds back.

Divination for Shrovetide

• If the pancake easily turned over - this year there will be marriage.
• If the pancake sticks to the pan - another three years to sit in the parental home.
• Smooth edges of the pancake - there will be a happy marriage.
• The edges are uneven, torn - you need to think about whether you are going to marry.
• If there is a bake in the middle, the husband will be faithful. If from the side, he will start looking at his neighbors.
• How many holes in a pancake - so many kids on the benches.
• A beautiful ruddy pancake - there will be a lot of health, pale - to illness.
• A thin pancake - for an easy life, a thick one - for work.

Maslenitsa is a favorite folk holiday. The traditions and customs of the Maslenitsa week came to us from ancient times and remain unchanged to this day. The last week before Lent is a time of festivities and fun, hearty days before a long abstinence.

Folk traditions and customs accompany many holidays, but Maslenitsa is a special time that meant a lot to our ancestors. This is the turning point when winter meets spring. The onset of the long-awaited fine days and seeing off the annoying winter cold is one of the key traditions.

The time before Lent is called Meat Week or Cheese Week. This is a period when there are no meat products on the tables of Orthodox Christians, but cheese products, pancakes and other delicious food abound. Also, Maslenitsa week precedes a long spiritual and physical abstinence from earthly temptations, so people widely celebrated Maslenitsa and tried to walk up and eat for future use.

Folk traditions and customs for Maslenitsa

One of the most exciting and spectacular actions, perhaps, can be called the burning of an effigy of winter. The straw figure, symbolizing the passing cold, was dressed up in old clothes. Burning a scarecrow reminded of the imminent warming, and also made it possible to get rid of the negativity in the houses. Unnecessary broken things and old utensils were thrown into the fire. Everywhere people lit bonfires, which drowned the remnants of snow with their warmth.

Pancakes are an attribute without which there would be no Maslenitsa. They symbolize the hot bright Sun, urging him to quickly gain full strength. Each housewife had her own secret recipe for pancakes, which was carefully kept in the family and passed down from generation to generation. Everyone was treated to pancakes, knowing that generosity and friendliness give happiness in life and increase the wealth and well-being of the family. Flour products were sacredly revered in Russia, and in the pre-Christian era they were one of the ways to respect the god Perun.

Festive festivities on the street gave people the opportunity to unite and have fun, because very soon the spring season would come - the time when sowing and agricultural work began. Also, during the festivities, the older generation agreed on imminent weddings, the grooms looked after the brides, and the girls secretly guessed at the betrothed. Popular beliefs say that those who do not have fun on Shrove Tuesday will live in trouble and grief.

Each day of Maslenitsa has its own name. People honored traditions and tried to do everything that was necessary in these days. Mother-in-law invited sons-in-law, they, in turn, sent response invitations. Young wives gave gifts to their sister-in-laws and did their best to show their disposition to their husband's relatives. Celebrations on the street were accompanied by comic fistfights, wall-to-wall games, demonstrations of dexterity, sleigh rides from the mountains, and also in carts with horses accompanied by funny songs and ditties. The fun of climbing a smooth post for prizes was also traditional. Relatives went around each house and presented each other with small souvenirs and gifts.

Adults made wooden and clay whistles for children. In a merry crowd, the kids ran through the streets and whistled, imitating bird trills. This tradition also refers to the call for the spring awakening of the earth. Older children went and caroled with cheerful songs, begging for a tasty treat. Adults answered them with low bows, gave them sweets and asked them to convey wishes of health and happiness to their parents.

The last day of the festivities is called Forgiveness Sunday. People went to visit each other, asked for forgiveness for all intentionally or unwittingly caused offense. The children bowed at the feet of their parents, asking them to excuse them, and the parents, in turn, went to the cemetery to pay tribute to their ancestors. Pancakes were also left on the graves and the deceased relatives were asked for help and protection of the whole family for its prosperity.

Another interesting tradition was the sleigh ride of the newlyweds. The couples traveled around to everyone who was at their wedding, saying words of gratitude for a happy marriage. It was believed that the energy of love also charges the earth with fertility, and pleases with good shoots and a rich harvest. They also arranged a general kissing day, when the young were forced to kiss in front of everyone. On this day, guys could go into houses and kiss the girls they liked.

Our ancestors sacredly honored traditions. Honoring one's roots was the key to the success and prosperity of families. Now Pancake Week still declares the inviolability of traditions. Despite pagan roots, it organically entered our lives. We wish you a merry Maslenitsa and happiness in your personal life. Let luck not leave you, and do not forget to press the buttons and

14.02.2017 04:03

Maslenitsa is the last preparatory week before Lent. This holiday has pagan roots, ...

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Shrovetide is one of the most fun and long-awaited holidays of the year, the celebration of which lasts for seven days. At this time, people have fun, go to visit, arrange festivities and eat pancakes. Maslenitsa in 2018 will begin on February 12, and its end date will be February 18.

Pancake week is a national celebration dedicated to the meeting of spring. Before entering Great Lent, people say goodbye to winter, enjoy the warm spring days, and, of course, bake delicious pancakes.

Maslenitsa: traditions and customs

There are several names for this holiday:

• the meat-empty Maslenitsa is called due to the fact that during the celebration they refrain from eating meat;
• cheese - because this week they eat a lot of cheese;
• Shrovetide - because they use a large amount of oil.

Many people are anxiously awaiting the onset of Maslenitsa, the traditions of celebrating which are rooted deep into our history. Today, as in the old days, this holiday is celebrated on a grand scale, with chants, dances and competitions.

The most popular amusements that used to be arranged in the villages were:

• fist fights;
• eating pancakes for a while;
• sledding;
• climbing a pole for a prize;
• bear games;
• effigy burning;
• bathing in holes.

The main treat both before and now are pancakes, which can have various fillings. They are baked every day in large quantities.

Our ancestors believed that those who do not have fun on Maslenitsa will live the coming year poorly and bleakly.

Maslenitsa: what can and cannot be done?

1. On Maslenitsa you can not eat meat food. It is allowed to eat fish and dairy products. As a main dish, pancakes should be on the table in every house.
2. You need to eat on Maslenitsa often and a lot. Therefore, it is customary to invite guests and not skimp on treats, as well as to go on a visit.

Maslenitsa: the history of the holiday

In fact, Maslenitsa is a pagan holiday, which was eventually changed to the "format" of the Orthodox Church. In pre-Christian Russia, the celebration was called "Seeing off the winter."

Our ancestors revered the sun as a god. And with the onset of the first spring days, they were glad that the sun was starting to warm the earth. Therefore, a tradition appeared to bake round cakes resembling the sun in shape. It was believed that by eating such a dish, a person would receive a piece of sunlight and heat. Over time, flat cakes were replaced with pancakes.

Maslenitsa: traditions of celebration

In the first three days of the holiday, there was an active preparation for the celebration:

• brought firewood for the fire;
• decorated the huts;
• built mountains.

The main celebration took place from Thursday to Sunday. They came into the house in order to treat themselves to pancakes and drink hot tea.

In some villages, young people went from house to house with tambourines, horns, balalaikas, singing carols. City residents participated in the festivities:

• dressed in the best clothes;
• went to theatrical performances;
• visited booths to look at buffoons and have fun with a bear.

The main entertainment was the ride of children and youth from the ice slides, which they tried to decorate with lanterns and flags. Used for riding:

• matting;
• sled;
• skates;
• skins;
• ice cubes;
• wooden troughs.

Another fun event was the capture of the ice fortress. The guys built a snow town with gates, they planted guards there, and then went on the attack: they broke into the gates and climbed onto the walls. The besieged defended themselves as best they could: snowballs, brooms and whips were used.

On Maslenitsa, guys and young men showed their agility in fisticuffs. The inhabitants of two villages, landlord and monastic peasants, residents of a large village living in opposite ends could participate in the battles.

Seriously prepared for the battle:

• soared in the baths;
• ate well;
• turned to the sorcerers with a request to give a special conspiracy to win.

Features of the rite of burning an effigy of winter on Maslenitsa

As many years ago, today the culmination of Maslenitsa is considered to be the burning of an effigy. This action symbolizes the onset of spring and the end of winter. The burning is preceded by games, round dances, songs and dances, accompanied by refreshments.

As a stuffed animal, which is sacrificed, they made a large funny and at the same time scary doll, personifying Shrovetide. They made a doll out of rags and straw. After that, she was dressed up in women's clothes and left on the main street of the village during the Maslenitsa week. And on Sunday they were solemnly carried outside the village. There, the scarecrow was burned, drowned in the hole, or torn to pieces, and the straw left from it was scattered across the field.

The ritual burning of the doll had a deep meaning: it is necessary to destroy the symbol of winter in order to resurrect its power in the spring.

Maslenitsa: the meaning of every day

The holiday is celebrated from Monday to Sunday. On Shrove Week, it is customary to spend every day in its own way, observing the traditions of our ancestors:

1. Monday called "Meeting Maslenitsa". On this day they start baking pancakes. It is customary to give the first pancake to the poor and needy people. On Monday, our ancestors prepared a scarecrow, dressed it in rags and put it on the main street of the village. It was on public display until Sunday.
2. Tuesday nicknamed "The Gamble". It was dedicated to the youth. On this day, folk festivals were organized: they rode sledges, ice slides, carousels.
3. Wednesday- "Gourmet". On this day, guests (friends, relatives, neighbors) were invited to the house. They were treated to pancakes, honey cakes and pies. Also on Wednesday it was customary to treat your sons-in-law with pancakes, hence the expression: “ My son-in-law came, where can I get sour cream?". Horse racing and fist fights were also held on this day.
4. Thursday people called it "Razgulyay". From this day begins the Wide Shrovetide, which is accompanied by snowball fights, sledding, cheerful round dances and chants.
5. Friday They were nicknamed "Teschin's Evenings", because on this day the sons-in-law invited the mother-in-law to their house and treated them to delicious pancakes.
6. Saturday- "Zolovkin gatherings." The daughter-in-law invited her husband's sisters to their house, talked with them, treated them to pancakes and gave gifts.
7. Sunday- the apotheosis of Maslenitsa. This day was called "Forgiveness Sunday". On Sunday they said goodbye to winter, saw off Maslenitsa and symbolically burned its effigy. On this day, it is customary to ask friends and relatives for forgiveness for the grievances that have accumulated over the year.

Proverbs and sayings for Maslenitsa

Video: the history and traditions of the Maslenitsa holiday

Shrovetide is considered a traditional holiday of the Eastern Slavic peoples. It has a long history. There are beliefs that the use of rites and rituals helps to get rich, improve your health and find happiness over time, including true love. Maslenitsa is celebrated for seven days, the celebrations begin on Monday. By date, this is: 12 to 18 February 2018.

Do not forget to bake pancakes and go to visit!

Russian holiday "Shrovetide" history and tradition

If archaeological research is to be believed, Maslenitsa can be considered the oldest surviving Slavic holiday. It originates in the pagan tradition. In Slavic mythology, Maslenitsa is the festival of the Sun, personified by the ancient god Veles and the celebration of the upcoming end of winter. In Christian tradition, Maslenitsa is the last week before the onset of Lent.

During it, meat is already forbidden for Christians of the Orthodox Church. These are the last seven days during which a whole range of dairy products are allowed, which has led to another nickname for the holiday - "cheese week". Spring rolls can be called the most characteristic food during Maslenitsa. Such pancakes are made from products that are still allowed by the Orthodox tradition - butter, eggs and milk.

Since Lent does not include secular music, dancing, and other distractions from the spiritual life, Maslenitsa represents the last chance to take part in social events.

Pancake week is easily recognized by outsiders by special rites. In ancient times, the Slavs saw off the cold winter and rejoiced at the approach of a warm spring. The celebrations were accompanied by fist fights, the burning of effigies, the ashes of which were scattered in the fields in order to spoil a good harvest.

They celebrate from Monday and end on Sunday; Slavs gradually came up with their own nickname for each day of the week:

• the first day was called the "meeting";
• the second day - "play";
• the third - "gourmet";
• the fourth - "broad Thursday";
• the fifth - "mother-in-law evenings";
• the sixth - "zalovkiny gatherings";
• the seventh and last - "Forgiveness Sunday".

The traditions of the ancient Slavs can be divided into three main categories of worship:

• agricultural;
• marriage and family;
• funeral.

Entertainment in a group of different ages Shrovetide, or marriage and family tradition

The marriage and family tradition was one of the most important traditions during Maslenitsa. Particularly interesting should be called newlywed gatherings. For a young girl and a guy, they arranged a public viewing, when a young couple kissed many times in front of adults. Some peasant women, married women for more than twelve months, harnessed to the sleigh and rolled their unmarried friends, and the ride was accompanied without fail by singing funny songs and telling jokes.

On the fifth day of the week, the son-in-law visited his mother-in-law, who treated him to pancakes. This was done so that the young man would not offend his wife. On the other hand, unmarried men wore special stocks with logs around their necks. It is curious that the log meant an allusion to the "second half". For a whole day, bachelors had to listen to the jokes of the villagers.

On Sunday, Maslenitsa was over. On this day, they put up with relatives, distributed food to the poor and commemorated the dead.

Funeral tradition

Any commemorative rite during Pancake Days is inextricably linked with the baking of pancakes, the burning of an effigy, or the process of cooking a special memorial meal. Usually the housewives cooked fish dishes, because a dead fish meant a dead soul.

The ancient Slavs divined in the snow, during cooking they added melted snow to the dish. Weaving and spinning were forbidden. It was believed that this could anger the souls of dead relatives. If such traditions were not observed, then the family would be in trouble.

The Maslenitsa bonfire also reminds many of the need to honor the dead. It was believed that the flame invites deceased relatives to visit their home and have a hearty dinner with the living. Spirits were appeased in such ways in order to avoid misfortunes in the future and to eradicate ancestral curses.

agricultural tradition

The ancient Slavs are known for their diligence, they constantly worked in the fields. Therefore, the first pancake that the hostess baked was taken out of the house and presented as a gift to the deities Yarilo and Spring. Another hot pancake was placed on top of the ground. It was believed that the sun's rays would warm up the land cover so quickly, drive away the winter, and the red Spring would come much faster.

The kids often liked to ride down the melting hills, which were covered with ice crust so far. The further you manage to slide, the richer the harvest will be harvested this year.

The Slavs loved hearty and delicious food during Maslenitsa. The tradition said: how full you go to bed, it means that the current year will be so rich.

rituals

Shrovetide is famous for its ceremonies, which have a history of many centuries. The ancient Slavs believed that a properly performed ritual could bring wealth and prosperity to the family. For example, one such rite implies the following: you need to create a fire, burn all your old property in it and voice the conspiracy aloud.

Or after Shrovetide is over, you need to visit on the first day of the week where a lot of people walk. You should walk between them until you are lucky enough to find a coin. With the help of the left palm, she rises, a special plot is read, after which the money is taken to her house and stored for twelve months. Next year, it is worth returning to the place of mass celebrations and throwing it away where it was found.

Unmarried girls especially loved Sunday, because that's when you can attract the groom. Usually young girls went to crowded places, mentally read the words of the conspiracy and were baptized three times. Grandmothers often said that this method works.