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One of the most famous folk holidays is the day of Ivan Kupala. Its history goes back into the deep past – all the more surprising that its traditions have survived to this day. Many celebrate Ivan Kupala in 2022 according to the precepts of their ancestors. Someone certainly goes to the pond on this day to swim, someone kindles a fire, and someone meets midnight in search of fern flowers. Let’s delve into history and find out what the folk customs of this day are connected with.
When is Ivan Kupala celebrated in Our Country in 2022
The holiday of Ivan Kupala in 2022, as always, falls on July 7. However, they begin to celebrate it even the day before – on the evening of July 6, immediately after sunset. The festivities continue all night: the people go on a spree until dawn.
But why was this particular night considered so special? After all, our ancestors were sure that in this dark time, goblin, mermaids, mermen, brownies and other unclean people go “hunting”, water and fire acquire magical powers, and somewhere in the world a fern blooms.
The fact is that earlier the night on Ivan Kupala really differed from all other nights, as it was the shortest of the year (originally this holiday was celebrated on the day of the summer solstice – June 21). Then the date of the celebration shifted several times: with the advent of Christianity, the holiday was combined with the birthday of John the Baptist (June 24), and after the transition to the Gregorian calendar, June 24 was moved to July 7.
history of the holiday
Ivan Kupala is considered a pagan holiday. And it is no coincidence that even among idolaters on the day of the summer solstice it was customary to perform rituals of purification and washing. It was believed that having bathed on this day in some reservoir, you can get rid of diseases.
Some believe that the name “Kupala” is associated precisely with these rites. Others claim that the holiday got such a name because it was dedicated to a certain Kupala – “the god of wild flowers and fruits.”
But then where did “Ivan” come from? It appeared just after the baptism of Our Country. After the adoption of Christianity, they tried to eradicate all pagan traditions by all means. And in the end, they decided to simply replace the Kupala holiday with the birthday of John (Ivan) the Baptist, the prophet who predicted the coming of the Messiah and baptized the Savior in the waters of the Jordan River. However, it did not work out to make people forget the ancient rites, but they managed to change the name: among the people, the pagan and Christian holidays “merged” into one – the day of Ivan Kupala.
It is believed that the name of the holiday is associated exclusively with John the Baptist, because in Greek his name means “Bather”.
Be that as it may, the day of Ivan Kupala continues to be celebrated to this day. And they do it in a fun and big way. By the way, the holiday is popular in almost all of Europe (however, in each country it is called differently).
Customs and traditions of the holiday
Since our ancestors believed that on the night of Ivan Kupala, water, fire, flowers and herbs acquire magical properties – they become able to cleanse from sins and heal from all diseases – most of the rituals and traditions were associated with them.
For example, the holiday was unthinkable without a fire and jumping over it. Moreover, young people liked jumping over fire most of all: after all, this is an occasion to show their prowess. In addition, our ancestors were sure that one such jump could cure diseases and the evil eye, and at the same time make the person who made it happier and more successful. The girls also loved this fun: they believed that this way you can become more beautiful and attractive.
But such a pastime has always been especially popular with lovers: it was believed that if a young couple join hands and, as if nothing had happened, jump over the fire, then they would be inseparable.
Another obligatory item of the festive program has always been a mass bathing. The magical properties attributed to water were not the only reason for our ancestors to plunge into the nearest reservoir: they believed that on the shortest night of the year, evil spirits leave all lakes and rivers.
By the way, absolutely all water was considered magical on the day of Ivan Kupala. Even dew. Lastly, our ancestors washed their faces: women – in order to preserve youth and attractiveness, men – in the hope of becoming stronger and more resilient.
As for wild flowers and herbs, which also acquired magical power on Midsummer Night, almost all women used to go to their gathering on this very night. Harvested plants were commonly woven into wreaths, bouquets or amulets to ward off evil spirits, and dried to be used when the need arose, such as when needed to heal someone or bring good luck.
However, one flower was especially popular on Midsummer Night. This is a fabulous fern flower. According to the legend, the fern blooms only on the shortest night of the year, or rather, it opens for a moment at midnight. Everyone wanted to find this mystical flower. Moreover, people still roam the forests on the night of Ivan Kupala in search of him, because, according to legend, treasures and the fulfillment of all desires await the finder.
Weaved wreaths on the holiday of Ivan Kupala for a reason. Girls not only decorated their hair with them, but also used them for divination. They lowered their flower headdresses with lighted splinters into the nearest river and began to carefully observe their behavior. If the wreath floats the farthest, then its owner will be the happiest; the longest burning splinter promises a long life. But the drowned wreath was a cause for sadness, because it meant that you could not even dream of a wedding in the coming year.