If you ask the modern Russian student about what best describes the character of his country, he did not hesitate to answer: "Birch".Yes, every state has approved a flag, anthem and coat of arms.But there are also common symbols - images of animals, birds and trees.For example, in Ukraine - a red viburnum bunches, and Moldova - a bunch of grapes.The characters also have of the city.And they often do not coincide with the image of the coat of arms.For example, in Kiev to mark the official city has an angel, and it is a symbol of a chestnut leaf.So anything can happen.And why do we birch - a symbol of Russia?
This tree is different from the others for its white trunk.In all the European North - from Scandinavia to the Urals Birch was honored.She was particularly fond of Finno-Ugric tribes, for whom the tree was an object of worship.By the way, this love is expressed in the fact that there is a name tag, which means "birch".A runic writing in the German 18-th letter of the alphabet - Berkana - was interpreted as a symbol of fertility and growth.In the Celtic Druids tree is included in the horoscope (people born in the period from 24 December to 20 January, were under the auspices of the birch and the sun).But the ancient Slavs to the white tree with green curly foliage treated dually.It was believed to usual evil forces.Why birch - a symbol of Russia, if our ancestors associated with the death of a tree?
The benefits of this plant are said to Russian proverbs and riddles.For example: "Which tree produces four benefits: first - the health of the sick, the second - well people, the third - the light disgusted, and the fourth - dead Swaddling?" Decipher the riddle: birch broom expels from the body of illness, juice can quench your thirst, torch light uphome.But that means - swaddling dead?The fact that the deceased was placed in a coffin, wrapped, instead of the shroud, birch bark.Thus, the ancient Slavs birch tree - a symbol of death and misery.Earlier, the house not put in a grove of trees belostvolnyh and such beauty is not planted in the backyard, believing that marriage is unhappy living nearby.It was believed that to throw into the furnace of birch logs - to bugs in the house, and the witches fly on broomsticks, made exclusively from this tree.A green curly leaves hidden mermaid.The first who changed the attitude of this tree in the public mind, was Sergei Yesenin.It is because of his lyrics birch tree - a symbol of Russia.Why so many warm words devoted to this tender sapling.His poems were read Russian emigrants in distant exile.On the Cote d'Azur or among alpine lakes, these people are longing for a lost homeland forever.For them, birch forest, which is constantly mentioned in the works of Yesenin, became a symbol, generating nostalgia.Thus, the negative perception of the tree as it was forgotten and remained positive.
We can remember that in the language of Kievan Rus belostvolnoy beauty was dedicated to the name of the month - March.By the way, in the modern Ukrainian language is - "berezen" time Birch cry.You can also recall the ancient ritual feast, which was once celebrated in Russia - Semik (Thursday seven weeks after Easter).On this day the girls went into the grove and tied the tops of young birches, decorating them with ribbons.Thus they circle dances and sang songs.Slender and flexible in light summer sundresses among the foliage, they reminded belostvolnye tender trees.It is therefore good that the birch tree - a symbol of Russia, because it is the Slavs has always been a symbol of rebirth.
