Some people prefer to buy a crib at Christmas markets or in the store, ready, and someone - make your own hands, at home.Carved out of wood or cardboard figures of the protagonists of the Christmas Story, painted in bright colors, symbolizing the bright holiday, can not fail to please the eye of adults and children, regardless of their religion.What den?What is its history in Russia and in other countries?Let's try to tell you in this article.
Christmas nativity scene in Europe
In Christian Europe, and today there is a good old tradition of the faithful - to set their houses in the den as a metaphorical reminder of the events that took place more than two thousand years ago.Christ is born!Praise Him!
in Russia
What nativity scene in Russia?Here, such a practice existed everywhere before the revolution the Bolsheviks overthrew the great country into chaos and anti-religious obscurantism.In 1917, when anti-Christian propaganda begins and until the 80s of the 20th century, religious rites (and the celebration of Christmas was considered one of the key) is practically impossible, at least, legally or publicly.
Revival
In recent decades, the celebration of Christmas in general and in particular the tradition den revived.Christmas Nativity Scene is very popular, and in some Christian believers.That's because he - a symbol of a global, not only a religious and metaphysical, but social and existential.His versatility has played a large role in the global popularity.
A little history
literal translation from the Old Church - a cave.This word is called the place where Christ was born a man.Cave of the Nativity in Bethlehem is located.Moreover, the place of birth of the Savior marked a commemorative plaque and a star.A little distance - limit the manger where the Blessed Virgin put baby.Nis, where formerly a nursery, exported to Rome, lined with marble.This is the only and unique nativity scene and became the prototype of all existing future.That's what the nativity scene in the original sense of the word.
«Bible for the illiterate»
Eventually master craftsmen began to make dens of papier-mache, wood, plaster, clay, porcelain.As a rule, plain, but fine, they spread to all countries of the Christian world as the most important symbol of Christmas.Reproducing scenes from the Covenant, they played a huge role in educating illiterate peasants.And then in other parts of society.And in Italy (in the 13th century) began to appear and live nativity scenes, as characters out there playing ordinary people.This nativity scene is still popular in Catholic countries and the former Soviet Union - in the Western Ukraine.
device den
What den?Actually, it is a big box (sometimes - in human growth and higher).Portable, manufactured from plywood, thin dosochek or cardboard.And den - bay.Typically, two or three.To better understand what the nativity scene, consider the two-tier device design.The upper tier is called the sky, or cave.There Christ was born.Interior decoration of the upper tier - blue paper, usually with stars carved out of shiny foil.The back wall depicted Christmas scenes.There's also placed the doll characters of the Holy Family - Mary, Joseph, Jesus.Played out different scenes: the good news of the Angels, Adoration of the Magi and the shepherds, the flight into Egypt.
Interestingly, the Ukrainian and Belarusian Orthodox traditions were not allowed any movement and manipulation of puppets depicting the Holy Family.Move can only figurines of animals, the shepherds, the Magi.And the name of the Lord said Angels.
Lower level den called earth, or palace.Depicted Herod's palace - the king.Here the scenery simply papered pictures or draw pictures.Figures usually absent.
Sometimes shapes were big and design - stationary.Here is a wooden crib (photo below).
front side of the box, turned towards the audience, shuttered or brightly colored cloth.In the semi-tier doing special slots that dolls could on special rods for them to move.To slots were not as noticeable floor trimmed with fur.At the top is sometimes attached lights to illuminate the scene in the evening (before - oil or kerosene, now - on the batteries or battery-powered).
Dolls were made quite simple: cut from plywood, wood, clung clay or papier-mache.Typically, the height of the dolls was up to twenty centimeters above - otherwise they would not be noticeable from afar.Now that you know how to make a nativity scene with his hands: variations on the theme can be different if you want to make it to the Christmas holidays and scenes to please their children and friends.
