Traditions and signs for Shrovetide

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Maslenitsa in Russia is celebrated throughout the whole week - from Monday to Sunday, and also takes place before the beginning of Lent. In 2020, the beginning of the holiday falls on February 24, and the end on March 1 is Forgiveness Sunday.

Since ancient times, the Slavic people have formed many signs and customs associated with this day. What kind of holiday it is, as well as what traditions and rituals exist on Maslenitsa - more on that below.

What holiday is it

Considering the question of what Maslenitsa is, it is worth noting that this day belongs to pagan holidays, which for a certain amount of time was adapted by the Orthodox Church. In the days of pre-Christian Russia, this day was referred to as "Farewell to Winter", and carried in itself many signs, traditions, customs and rituals, many of which have survived to our time.

The ancestors worshiped the sun as God. As soon as the first days of spring came, people were glad that the sun was beginning to warm the earth. On the basis of this, the tradition of baking round cakes, which resemble the sun in shape, arose.

It was believed that if you eat them, a person will definitely get some sunlight and heat. After a while, the cakes turned into pancakes.

Signs for Shrovetide

Many different signs are associated with the Slavic holiday. People tried to notice everything that was happening to them, and in general during the Pancake Week. One of the main attributes of the holiday was pancakes, which made it possible to predict the future:

• if it turned out ugly, it prophesied illness to family members;
• if poorly baked, hard times were expected;
• if the first did not work out, this predicted happiness and good luck to all family members.

Weather conditions could also predict the future a year ahead:

• if Pancake Week began with cold and snow, then the first half of summer will be rainy;
• if the first days of the week are cold and rainy, then a good and rich harvest was expected in the future.

Interesting! What is the date of the Honey Savior in 2020

Thanks to the signs on Shrovetide, girls could recognize their future. This was especially interesting for those representatives of the fair sex who wanted to get married. However, even married people resorted to signs to find out if their marriage would be happy:

1. If the first person an unmarried girl sees at Shrovetide is a drunk person, then her marriage will be long and happy.
2. A cheerful and noisy celebration of the whole week predicts that the year for all family members will be happy, joyful and financially prosperous.

Customs and rituals

Many people want to know what Maslenitsa holiday is, because it has a rich history and traditions. Each day of the holiday has its own name and includes a number of signs, traditions, rituals and customs:

1. The first day is Monday, called a meeting. It was customary to roll out ice slides. According to legends, the further the sleigh rolls, the richer the harvest will be.
2. The second day is Tuesday, called "flirting". It is customary to have fun and play, as well as feast on pancakes.
3. Wednesday is called "gourmet". On this day, delicious dishes are prepared in all houses, including pancakes.
4. Thursday - "take a walk". On this day, people are trying to drive away the winter - it was customary to ride horses around the village in a clockwise direction. The male part of the population is engaged in defensive measures.
5. Friday is called "mother-in-law of the evening" and for good reason, because on this day mother-in-law treats their sons-in-law with baked pancakes.
6. Saturday - “sister-in-law's gatherings”. This is the day when it is customary to visit relatives, friends and neighbors, to treat themselves to pancakes.
7. Sunday is referred to as "Forgiveness". The final day of Maslenitsa, when it is customary to ask everyone for forgiveness. At the end of the day, Shrovetide should be celebrated with songs and dances.

The peasants were especially important to the fertility of the soil, so the stuffed carnival was considered to be a symbol of fertility. Based on this, the process of burning, as it were, gave a signal to the earth to develop fertility.

Burning a scarecrow is the most important tradition for Shrovetide. In addition, it was customary to burn old and bad things that carry negative energy, and buy yourself something new that will bring well-being to life. When spring comes, the house is filled with positive and positive energy.

Interesting! Signs for conception on Maslenitsa in 2020

What not to do on Shrovetide

During Pancake Week, it is forbidden to eat meat products, with the exception of Forgiveness Sunday, on this day you can eat meat. In addition, during Shrovetide, one must not be sad and harbor resentment.

They said that spring would not come soon if people did not have fun and rejoice during the Pancake Week. And those who are sad are in for trouble.

Also, you cannot be greedy, you need to treat friends and family with pancakes, feed the hungry and needy. Guests should only be met in a clean tidy house. Shrovetide is a period when you need to put things in order in everything.

All invitations to visit must be answered positively, refusal is fraught with negative consequences. You cannot eat and drink a lot while visiting.

On Forgiveness Sunday, everyone who asks for forgiveness should say: “God will forgive” and never refuse a sincere request.

Fortune telling

During Pancake Week, people used different options to guess. For example, fortune-telling on pancakes and on coniferous branches.

Fortune telling on pancakes

The fair sex can use this fortune-telling to find out their fate:

1. If the first pancake is not burnt or stuck to the pan, then the girl will soon get married. If the first pancake turned out to be lumpy, then in the next three years the wedding is not expected.
2. In the event that the pancakes are baked round and even, then a prosperous family life is expected.
3. The number of holes on the pancakes indicates the number of future children, as well as how rich life will be. The more holes there are, the more prosperity and financial independence.
4. A pancake burnt in the center prophesies to the girl a kind and faithful spouse.
5. If the first pancake turned out to be thin and delicate, then the next year will be successful. For pregnant women, such a pancake is a sign of easy childbirth and the birth of a healthy baby.

In addition, during baking, various items could be added to the pancake dough. For example, a button, a coin or salt. If the pancake was salty, then difficulties and many tears are expected. Pancake with a coin - for a rich year. The button foreshadowed the appearance of something useful and new in life.

Fortune telling on coniferous branches

You can find out the future not only by pancakes, but also by coniferous branches. For such a fortune-telling, you need to go to the forest and pick up a few branches of pine or spruce there.

Before going to bed, the branches need to be folded on the floor, and in the morning go up to them and take one, but without opening your eyes. If a fluffy and large branch falls into the hand, then luck is expected.

The number of cones on a branch equals how many joyful moments there will be in life, as well as future children.

On the branches, it was customary to guess at the future spouse. If the thickest branch fell into the hands, then the husband will be beautiful and rich. If the branch is nondescript and modest, then the husband will be the same.

Summarize

1. Shrovetide is a holiday associated with the wires of winter.
2. Lasts a whole week. These days it is customary to bake pancakes, visit, have fun and not think about bad things. It is forbidden to be sad and swear. On the last day - Forgiveness Sunday - you need to ask for forgiveness from relatives and friends.
3. On Shrovetide, you can read pancakes or coniferous branches to find out your future. Regardless of whether a girl is married or not, she can find out what her future destiny will be.