Slavs always differed from other ethnic groups.Just as they love to celebrate various events, walks and fun that have collected in their "cultural piggy bank" a huge number of holidays and anniversaries.Wide Orthodox soul instead of celebrating the new year two whole: nowhere in the world like the tradition or practice, you will not find.Why not?Anyone who works hard has a right more often than others, relax and throw a feast for the whole world.
History of tradition
Old New Year - a unique historical phenomenon which has arisen as a result of the transition of the Orthodox people with a chronology to another.If before the Slavs lived in the Julian calendar then in 1918 they switched to the Gregorian, which adheres to the whole world.He is considered to be more accurate, since the amendment involves a leap year.
changes have taken root, but people forget the old date and could not.Customs ancestors firmly anchored in the minds of the people and break the deadlock established tradition was virtually impossible.Therefore, the Slavs did not think long and decided to mark the appointment as much as twice a year.And Old remained more popular than the New.Being very faithful, orthodox people strictly abide Filippov post, which ended just after Christmas.Hence the tradition of the Old New Year supplemented with new customs and traditions: because it was now possible to roam to the fullest, not limiting themselves any food or entertainment.
Malanka
tradition Old New Year in Russia and Ukraine are rich and very interesting.Day before a holiday dedicated to the memory of Venerable Melania, its origins deeply rooted in the days when our ancestors were still pagans.From them was the custom to carry out various games and rituals.
January 13 people also called Christmas Eve.It is now accepted to go from hut to hut owners wanting good and peace.The guys are going to gang and dress up in different costumes.Among the entertainers have Roma, bear, cat, crane, goat grandfather with a woman.But the most honorable place is, of course, Malanka - dressed in old clothes guy whose face smeared with chalk, brows summed soot, painted lips beets.He climbs to all the hugging and kissing, as a result people are spoiled his "makeup" that, in principle, considered a good omen.
the tradition of the Old New Year, guys, schedruvalniki come into the house, where they were treated to a variety of delicacies home.Girls at this time singing ritual songs under the windows, since they are forbidden to cross Malanka stranger threshold.
Rite cooking porridge
He has held a special place and was considered almost a sacrament.Porridge cooked from 13 to 14 of January.Exactly at two in the morning the owner of the well to draw water, and his wife brought from the barn cereal.These two ingredients were on the table next to until the oven does not heat up.Touch them not: Slavs believed that this may scare off good fortune.
Then a woman threw the seeds into the water, was stirring and saying special ritual words.Only then could cook porridge, it should be as it rises.For example, if she was climbing over the edge, it portends trouble around the house.Cracked Pot also symbolized great sorrow.But carefully cooked tasty porridge point to a rich harvest.
On Old New Year traditions in which each region is closely linked to the gastronomic features, this yummy was made by both cheeks tuck into breakfast.If the porridge failed, throwing it into the river far from home to running water carried away with all the troubles.The dish was made from buckwheat cooking, as it has long symbolized prosperity and God's blessing.
Different divination
the tradition of the Old New Year's dumplings - a mandatory attribute of a celebratory dinner.They have long been considered the national dish of Ukrainians, so present at the table, not only on Christmas Eve, but also during any other anniversary.But only on Malanka dumplings fashioned not simple, but with a surprise.Beyond the usual toppings - potatoes, cabbage, cherries and cheese - they put unconventional.If a guest or a household, for example, gets a dumpling with sugar, it meant the sweet life in the coming year, the thread symbolized the journey, buttons - new clothes, coin - profit, beans - procreation, seeds - new people.
tradition Old New Year in Ukraine provides for other divination, which usually takes the unmarried girls.Putting evening comb under the pillow, they asked for Mr Right to come in a dream and comb their curls.Who dreamed that night, he will be her husband.The image of a loved one and looking in the mirror and found out his name from the first counter of the gate of his home.
Signs
Slavs have long believed in them.Over the centuries, the life of the Orthodox people as they ran out, every ordinary day was associated with a particular sign.What is already talking about the holidays!The traditions of the Old New Year, as well as most will, associated with it, guided by the people and the actions they perform.So, it was considered a good sign, if on the eve of January 14 the first guest was a man, not a woman.
also try to in the Christmas Eve at home had the money it promised wealth.Not allowed to lend, or could the court poverty.Birds and fish are not prepared, as happiness, like they could fly or sail.But pork dishes were at the peak of popularity: saying that this animal "naroet" prosperity.So often cooked roast rёbryshek, baked piglets and tasty chops.
future predicted weather: quiet clear night - happy year, the abundance of frost on the trees - will be able to collect a lot of honey and corn snow - a good harvest, thaw - a rainy summer.
Vasiliev day
He was advancing on January 14 and was considered the first day of the New Year according to the Julian calendar.People get up before sunrise and ready to receive its first guests.By tradition, the Old New Year in Russia was popular rite posevaniya.With a handful of full grain, they came into the house and asked the boys from the owners permission to perform the ceremony.After receiving it, they generously scattered grains, trying to fill them as much territory.Children sentenced, that happiness was accompanied by the hosts throughout the year, only prosperity and good luck waiting for them in the future.
Posevalniki received lavish presents and happily ran to the next house.The hostess, meanwhile collecting grains from the floor: they were stored for a year of happiness.And on this day young men united in the whole group, wore colorful costumes and continues to entertain all the honest people.Old New Year tradition is invariably associated with mummers, it turns into a funny and amusing spectacle.
Old New Year in other countries
holiday abroad remains incomprehensible to foreigners.Traditions of Old New Year worship except Slav immigrants, immigrants from the CIS countries.For example, in the UK festival "Russian Winter".In the heart of London's Trafalgar Square Holiday Fair takes place where you can buy souvenirs and goodies.Funny dolls, samovars inflated, crunchy gingerbread - all symbols inherent in our country, then sold for a few days.
most similar to Russian customs tradition Old New Year in the UK.English is spoken by the first toast to the queen, the second - for the Russian president.And then begins a large-scale festivities with Russian dances and clowns.The festival is always charity: on him collect money for orphanages in Russia or the construction of Orthodox churches in London.Who lives in this country of 40 thousand Russian.Most of them attend the festival to experience the atmosphere of a distant, but this beloved homeland.
