Maslenitsa is one of the most joyful and long-awaited holidays of the year, the celebration of which lasts seven days. At this time, people have fun, go to visit, have parties and eat pancakes. Maslenitsa in 2018 will begin on February 12, and its end date will be February 18.

Pancake week is a national celebration dedicated to welcoming spring. Before entering Lent, people say goodbye to winter, enjoy the warm spring days, and, of course, bake delicious pancakes.

Maslenitsa: traditions and customs

There are several names for this holiday:

• meat-empty Maslenitsa is called because during the celebration people refrain from eating meat;
• cheese - because they eat a lot of cheese this week;
• Maslenitsa - because they consume a large number of oils

Many people anxiously await the onset of Maslenitsa, the traditions of celebrating which go back deep into our history. Today, as in the old days, this holiday is celebrated on a grand scale, with chants, dances and competitions.

The most popular entertainments that used to be held in villages were:

• fist fights;
• eating pancakes for a while;
• sledding;
• climbing a pole for a prize;
• games with a bear;
• burning an effigy;
• swimming in ice holes.

The main treat, both before and now, are pancakes, which can have different fillings. They are baked every day in large quantities.

Our ancestors believed that those who do not have fun on Maslenitsa will live the coming year poorly and joylessly.

Maslenitsa: what can and cannot be done?

1. You should not eat meat on Maslenitsa. Allowed to eat fish and dairy products. Pancakes should be the main dish on the table in every home.
2. On Maslenitsa you need to eat often and a lot. Therefore, it is customary to invite guests and not skimp on treats, as well as to visit yourself.

Maslenitsa: the history of the holiday

In fact, Maslenitsa is a pagan holiday, which was over time changed to fit the “format” of the Orthodox Church. In pre-Christian Rus', the celebration was called “Farewell to Winter.”

Our ancestors revered the sun as a god. And with the onset of the first days of spring, we were glad that the sun was beginning to warm the earth. That’s why the tradition of baking round flatbreads, shaped like the sun, arose. It was believed that by eating such a dish, a person would receive a piece sunlight and warmth. Over time, flatbreads were replaced by pancakes.

Maslenitsa: celebration traditions

In the first three days of the holiday, active preparations for the celebration took place:

• they brought wood for the fire;
• decorated the huts;
• built mountains.

The main celebration took place from Thursday to Sunday. People came into the house to enjoy pancakes and drink hot tea.

In some villages, young people went from house to house with tambourines, horns, and balalaikas, singing carols. City residents took part in festive festivities:

• dressed in their best clothes;
• went to theater performances;
• We visited booths to watch buffoons and have fun with the bear.

The main entertainment was children and youth sliding down ice slides, which they tried to decorate with lanterns and flags. Used for riding:

• matting;
• sled;
• skates;
• skins;
• ice cubes;
• wooden troughs.

Another fun event was the capture of the ice fortress. The guys built a snowy town with gates, put guards there, and then went on the attack: they broke into the gates and climbed the walls. The besieged defended themselves as best they could: they used snowballs, brooms and whips.

On Maslenitsa, boys and young men showed their agility in fist fights. Residents of two villages, landowners and monastery peasants, residents of a large village living at opposite ends could take part in the battles.

We seriously prepared for the battle:

• steamed in the baths;
• ate heartily;
• turned to the sorcerers with a request to give a special spell for victory.

Features of the ritual of burning an effigy of winter on Maslenitsa

Just as many years ago, today the culmination of Maslenitsa is considered to be the burning of an effigy. This action symbolizes the onset of spring and the end of winter. The burning is preceded by games, round dances, songs and dances, accompanied by refreshments.

As a scarecrow to be sacrificed, they made a large funny and at the same time scary doll, personifying Maslenitsa. They made a doll from rags and straw. After which she was dressed up in women's clothing and left on the main street of the village during Maslenitsa week. And on Sunday they were solemnly carried outside the village. There the effigy was burned, drowned in an ice hole, or torn into pieces, and the straw that remained from it was scattered across the field.

The ritual burning of the doll had a deep meaning: destroying the symbol of winter is necessary to resurrect its power in the spring.

Maslenitsa: the meaning of every day

The holiday is celebrated from Monday to Sunday. During Shrovetide Week, it is customary to spend each day in your own way, observing the traditions of our ancestors:

1. Monday called “Meeting of Maslenitsa”. On this day they start baking pancakes. It is customary to give the first pancake to the poor and needy people. On Monday, our ancestors prepared a scarecrow, dressed it in rags and displayed it on the main street of the village. It was on public display until Sunday.
2. Tuesday nicknamed "Zigrysh". It was dedicated to youth. On this day they arranged folk festivals: went on a sleigh ride, ice slides, carousels.
3. Wednesday- “Gourmand.” On this day, guests (friends, relatives, neighbors) were invited to the house. They were treated to pancakes, honey gingerbread and pies. Also on Wednesday, it was customary to treat your sons-in-law with pancakes, hence the expression: “ My son-in-law has come, where can I get sour cream?" Horse racing and fist fights were also held on this day.
4. Thursday popularly nicknamed "Razgulay". Starts from this day Wide Maslenitsa, which is accompanied by snowball fights, sledding, cheerful round dances and chants.
5. Friday nicknamed “Mother-in-law’s Evening” because on this day the sons-in-law invited the mother-in-law to their house and treated them to delicious pancakes.
6. Saturday- “Sister-in-law’s gatherings.” The daughters-in-law invited their husband's sisters to their house, talked with them, treated them to pancakes and gave them gifts.
7. Sunday- the apotheosis of Maslenitsa. This day was called “Forgiveness Sunday.” On Sunday we said goodbye to winter, said goodbye to Maslenitsa and symbolically burned its effigy. On this day, it is customary to ask friends and family for forgiveness for the grievances that have accumulated over the year.

Proverbs and sayings for Maslenitsa

Video: history and traditions of the Maslenitsa holiday

Maslenitsa is one of the ancient holidays, preserved in the modern calendar since the times of pagan Rus'. Folk memory cherishes many Maslenitsa rites, rituals and fortune telling.

IN 2017 G. Maslenitsa the week will last from February 20 to February 26.

It is curious that Maslenitsa, popular among Christians, once came as a good tradition from the pagans. Baking pancakes is a symbol of the spring sun and seeing off the passing winter was a kind, almost holy rite.

And the fact that Maslenitsa began just after Parents’ Day suggests that pancakes were also baked in memory of departed parents and ancestors. The first pancake, which usually turns out lumpy, was usually displayed separately, as if for the deceased. Despite the fact that the Slavs became Christians over the centuries, the celebration of Maslenitsa remained. Well, it’s good if there is a reason to remember your family and have fun with friends and loved ones.

Maslenitsa lasts six days in a row and ends with Forgiveness Sunday. Each day has its own customs and traditions, which are useful and interesting to know.

Amulet on the eve of Maslenitsa.

If you were exaggeratedly praised or envied, or maybe they said something bad, and you are a suspicious person, read this amulet on the eve of Maslenitsa.

It will protect you from possible negativity for the whole year.

"In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Theotokos Lady and you, the four evangelists: Luke, Mark, Matthew and John the Theologian.
Save and preserve me (name), Protect me from dashing thoughts.
From the devil's thoughts, From secret destruction, From the evil eye and the eye of the blind,
From the envious eye, Who hears and who does not hear,
Who curses out loud and who writes denunciations, Alatyr-stone lies in one place,
He doesn’t hear, doesn’t see, no knocking, no sound. Not afraid, not hiding from anyone.
So no sound, knock or word would touch me.
I didn’t stumble over any damage. My words cannot be denied, they cannot be reprimanded.
Neither the first in the family, nor the last. Key. Lock. Language. Amen."

Each day has its own name:

Monday - meeting

Tuesday is a flirt

Wednesday is a delicacy,

Thursday is a riot

Friday - mother-in-law's evening,

Saturday - sisters-in-law's get-togethers,

Resurrection - farewell, farewell, forgiven day or kissing day.

The initial day of Maslenitsa was called - "meeting".

Many families start baking pancakes on Monday.

The night before, when the stars appear, the eldest woman in the family goes out to the river, lake or well, quietly from others, and calls on the moon to look out the window and blow on the dough:

"You are a month,
Your golden horns!
Look out the window
Blow on the dough!"

The first pancake was not eaten on Monday, it was left for the souls of the departed; they carried him out onto the porch with the words:

“Our honest dead people, here is a pancake for your souls!” - or gave it to the poor so that they could pray for peace.

On this day, they made a scarecrow of Maslenitsa from straw, put old women's clothes on it, put this scarecrow on a pole and, singing, carried it on a sleigh around the village. Then Maslenitsa was staged on a snowy mountain, where sleigh rides began.

We rode from the mountains all the days of Maslenitsa.

A typical Russian Maslenitsa entertainment was also troika rides accompanied by songs, with jokes, jokes, and kisses.

The newlyweds received the most attention and honors during Maslenitsa. They went out “to people” in painted sleighs and paid visits to everyone who walked at their wedding.

Mass celebrations take place in all city squares, and in Tsarist times the Tsar himself opened this holiday.

On this day, it is customary to visit the matchmakers for pancakes, and the daughters-in-law should have time to help around the house and arrive to their parents in advance to help with setting the table.

In general, today many of the nuances of Maslenitsa traditions have not been preserved to such an extent. For example, if the newlyweds are living for the first year and this is their first joint Maslenitsa, it means that the mother-in-law should come on Monday morning and teach the young housewife how to make first-class pancakes. But, nevertheless, the traditions of visiting and generously treating people remained.

A GUARD AGAINST WITCHES on the 1st day of Maslenitsa.

On the first day of Maslenitsa, a conspiracy was read that helped get rid of the effects of evil witch spells:

“You witches, branded devils, when you count the stars in the sky and the grains of sand in the sea, then you will be able to harm me, my home and my people.”

On the first day of Maslenitsa, salt was poured at the windowsill, at the front door, and on the last day the salt was swept away. This is how all evil spirits are swept out of the house.

From this day on, egg shells are considered healing and are not thrown away, but collected for treatment.

Second day of Maslenitsa, Tuesday - “flirt”.

Previously, this day was dedicated to newlyweds. On the same second day, sledding began from the mountains. Those who didn’t have them rolled down on matting. Maslenitsa festivities began.

On Tuesday It is customary to walk and have fun, organize mass games, sing ditties and play pranks on friends.

Winter is celebrated with dignity - competitions for sculpting snow castles, competitions for building ice palaces and all sorts of snowy fun take place on the streets.

However, it’s not just that young people come out to have fun - on this day, girls of marriageable age closely watch young single guys, and guys watch the girls. Couples in love who are created on this day will live a long and happy married life.

In the old days in Rus', on Maslenitsa they not only walked and had fun, but also told fortunes.
This is where the time came to “look into the mouth” of your loved one and find out what kind of character your future husband has. It’s not for nothing that they say that they choose a husband by pancakes, and a wife by pies.

WE CHOOSE A HUSBAND BY PANCAKES .

Pancakes with caviar are preferred by real men. Such a person will have a safe house, a strong household, and a wife and children with shoes and clothes. But don’t expect tender words and kisses from him - all his energy goes into housekeeping. And in general, love is proven by deeds, not words.

“Intellectuals” eat pancakes with red fish - a word that is almost a dirty word in the peasant world. The thoughts and feelings of such a person have become too far removed from the sinful earth. Both day and night, these persons hover in the clouds, demanding from their beloved an understanding of their great plans and unrealistic plans. And the fact that the hut is lopsided, that the cattle have no hay stored up, is “low life.” Should he, the poet, care about this...

Pancakes with cottage cheese are eaten by kind, flexible and kind-hearted people. Such a person definitely needs a woman nearby who will command the house and manage the household. A loving husband will carry out all her commands with pleasure.

Pancakes with sour cream, despite their deliciousness, are eaten only by people with a “double bottom”. Such a hubby will agree on everything with his better half, and with his dear mother, and with his neighbor Vasya.
He has only one opinion about what is happening - the one he last heard. These are weak-willed, spineless people. They strive to adapt to everyone and everyone, to please everyone.

Pancakes with butter are eaten by gentle and affectionate husbands. True, after telling their spouse 100 times a day that she is the one and only, and kissing her on the cheek 200 times, they consider their responsibilities to the family fulfilled. They will not prove their love and responsibility to the family by any housework or housework. But even so, affairs are not love, they only interfere with kissing and cuddling and holding hands.

Pancakes with sugar are eaten by children who love them. The main thing in their love is not the quality of raising an individual child, but the large number of children in the house. And your wife will have no time to stare at you, and it seems like you have proven to everyone around you that you are a man. But what to feed them and what to dress them in is the tenth thing.

Pancakes with hard-boiled eggs are eaten by the most unpleasant husbands. And in the company of such a person he will sit with his nose hanging down, with a sour expression on his face.
And the house will itch for no reason or reason. In a word, boring. There is no great practical harm from such people; they fulfill their fatherly and masculine responsibilities. Not at the behest of the soul and heart, but because “this is how it is necessary,” “this is how it is accepted.” So, in general, it is possible to live with such a treasure, even for the rest of your life. But then there will be nothing to remember - neither good nor bad.

But “the first guys in the village” like pancakes with jam. Such a person can run away to the city - “to earn money”, and visit his widowed neighbor. True, there is money in the house, and he will not leave his wife with attention and affection. And having run into other people’s girls, he will still return to the family. Just like this loving wife often greets not with kisses, but with a hug.

CHOOSE A WIFE BY PIE .

By the way, the character of the future wife can be judged by the kind of pies she treats to guests.

Large pies - kulebyaki and pies - are served by a slightly lazy person.
But the pies are also different.

Big “bast shoes” are made by greedy girls - it’s like you’ve eaten the pie, but you can’t reach for anything else.

Small, neat from the housewife who will maintain order in the house, and she has a nice, flexible character, respectful to elders.

Pies are baked seam side up by those girls who have all their thoughts and feelings “written on their faces.” These girls are frank, sincere, and, in modern terms, most of them are extroverts.

Pies with the seam down are made by quiet young ladies, like the pool in which the devils live. He will say “yes”, nod his head, but will still do it his own way. This kind of girl can go out in secret, as long as everything is covered up.

Homemade klushas (in the best sense of the word) love to bake round pies or cheesecakes (with any filling). Both the husband and the children will be fussed over from morning to night. And they are not bad housewives. But for them, caressing their husband in bed is the same as washing a bunch of laundry or threshing grain.
In general, labor service.

All kinds of pretzels and braids are baked by bright, romantic, but unreliable people. Everything in their hands burns, but often it burns out. She just doted on her husband - and now she’s swinging her arm around her. Life with one is a complete adventure. And it’s not always pleasant.

Triangular pies (like oriental khachapuri) are loved by lomaki and imaginaries. She just wants to stand out with something, but it doesn’t matter what.

But what if you come to visit your loved one, and there is a dish with a wide variety of pies on the table?

Console yourself with the fact that your sweetheart is a versatile person, she has a little bit of everything in moderation.
And most importantly, she is a good housewife.

Wednesday - "Gourmand".

On Wednesday You definitely need to come to your mother-in-law for pancakes. Moreover, no excuses are accepted! The mother-in-law, in turn, is happy to try for her son-in-law and arranges a rich table on which there are pancakes with various fillings - with caviar, jam, honey. The table should also be rich in drinks and other treats. On this day, the family gathers at the table, praising the mother-in-law and her culinary skills.

Luxurious tables were laid in all houses. Right on the street there were numerous stalls selling hot sbitni (drinks made from water, honey and spices), roasted nuts, and honey gingerbread.

On the third day of Maslenitsa, which is celebrated this week, it is customary to treat sons-in-law. At the same time, it used to be quite unprofitable to feed the son-in-law, since according to tradition, pancakes were baked both small and large, and with milk, and with caviar, and with herring.

As a rule, starting from Wednesday, both unmarried youth and adults actively get involved in mountain riding and horseback riding. Only babies and old people who no longer leave the house do not ride troikas during Shrovetide.

A whole series of Maslenitsa customs were aimed at speeding up weddings and helping single youth find a partner.

The skating of young couples, according to the ancestors, was supposed to help awaken the earth from winter sleep. Artificial ice mountains symbolized the earth's womb, in which new life was born.

Young women went around the village and hung wooden stocks for overgrown guys because they did not want to get married, and they, in turn, tried to pay them off with sweets and pancakes.

Special treatment It was for those young couples who got married that year: they had to participate in skating, show up in the best outfits, and kiss in public.

Thursday - "go wild". On this day, it was customary to organize famous fist fights and capture specially built snow fortresses.

Thursday during Maslenitsa week was considered the day of veneration of the god Veles (Volos), the patron saint of livestock. Therefore, on this day, before baking pancakes for the family, they baked pancakes for their cow-nurse. While treating the cow to such a pancake, they read prayers and incantations.

Thursday was very important for the owner, because only on St. Blaise (this Christian saint replaced the god Veles) it was necessary to break the young horses.

On Thursday Wide celebrations continue, everyone gives each other gifts, and children rush to sing carols. In the city, however, no one really sings carols anymore, but in villages and villages this good tradition has been preserved. A scarecrow of Maslenitsa can be carried through the streets for everyone to see. The stuffed animal is made from whatever is at hand - straw, old things, holiday decorations. During celebrations, you need to actively and cheerfully sing songs so that everything in the family is good.

Friday is an interesting day. Mother-in-law's day.

Sons-in-law, who actively enjoyed pancakes at their mothers-in-law's, should now invite them to their home and set the table. Moreover, the mother-in-law must be invited personally, and the more actively and affectionately the son-in-law invites, the more beloved he will be.

And to make everything look beautiful and festive, on this day all the relatives of both sides gather, and everyone sees how the son-in-law meets and generously treats his beloved mother-in-law.

True, this custom was very peculiar. The curious thing was that the invited mother-in-law was obliged to send to the newlyweds’ house in the evening everything necessary for baking pancakes: a frying pan, a ladle and even a tub in which the dough was kneaded.

A whole series of Maslenitsa customs were aimed at speeding up weddings and helping young people find a partner.

They didn't forget about sisters-in-law.

On Saturday - farewell, at her sister-in-law’s gatherings (sister-in-law is her husband’s sister), the young daughter-in-law invited her husband’s relatives to visit her.

It is interesting that the word “sister-in-law” itself was believed to come from the word “evil,” since the husband’s sisters treated their daughter-in-law (“who came from God knows where”) with distrust and wariness - let’s remember, for example, Russian folk tales.

If the sisters-in-law were not yet married, then she invited her unmarried friends to visit. If the husband’s sisters were already married, then the daughter-in-law invited her married relatives and took the guests with the whole train to their sisters-in-law.

The newlywed daughter-in-law had to present her sisters-in-law with gifts.

On Saturday, the ashes of the burned effigies should be scattered across the fields - for a rich harvest in the fall. On this day, the final farewell to winter takes place and everyone rejoices at the arrival of the new sowing season.

The seventh day is Forgiveness Sunday. On this day you need to prepare for Lent and cleanse your soul and body. You definitely need to bow and ask for forgiveness from everyone. The last Maslenitsa bonfires flare up again, around which people sing songs and burn straw.

On Sunday we celebrated Maslenitsa. Young people in a sleigh with a scarecrow of Maslenitsa rode around the village and outskirts singing until dark.

Late in the evening, a scarecrow was burned on a fire prepared in the morning. As a rule, the Maslenitsa bonfire was lit by the most senior representatives of the village community or those young people who were “lucky” in the past Kupala night"find" a fern flower.

According to legend, it was in it that the life-giving energy of the sun dying for the winter was preserved. Therefore, the Maslenitsa fire was always lit at the highest place near the village, that is, as close as possible to the cosmic body, in order to “return” its lost power.

Maslenitsa bonfires- this is also a memorial rite, since they served as a kind of invitation to deceased ancestors to a hearty dinner on the eve of Lent.

Happened \" appeasing spirits for the whole year ahead. And after the straw effigy was burned in the fire, the ashes were scattered across the field and trampled into the snow in order to awaken the sleeping earth and return to it the ability of new birth. A lot of people always gathered around the Maslenitsa bonfire, it was fun, songs were sung, games were held.

A funny tradition Wiring off Maslenitsa is the burning of pancakes. You definitely need to throw a pancake into the fire, tell Maslenitsa to go away, and then stain as many people around you as possible with soot.

Don't forget about deceased relatives. On Sunday you need to visit their graves and leave pancakes there. And after the hard and have a fun day The final tradition is the bathhouse. You need to steam your heart out in it, whip yourself with brooms and celebrate Lent the next day.

On the last day of Maslenitsa - Sunday - they sat down at the table seven times, according to the number of weeks in Lent. And in the evening, the entire family had to treat themselves to food of animal origin for the last time before fasting.

After dinner, nothing was removed from the table; everything left was covered with a white tablecloth, and then with a sheepskin, fur on top. All this was done so that there would be no quarrels or disagreements in the family for a whole year.

On the eve of Lent, in an effort to cleanse themselves of everything sinful, people asked each other for forgiveness.

The ceremony of forgiveness takes place in the evening, after dinner.

Addressing each other, people said:

“Please forgive me if I’m guilty of anything.”

In some families, the following ritual was performed on Forgiveness Sunday. In the evening, all family members sat around the table in the house. The head of the family, the father, sat on a separate chair.

Each of the present household members in turn approached his father, bowed at his feet and asked for forgiveness for all the bad deeds in the past year (for insult, intemperance, swearing, disobedience, drinking, malicious acts).

After the youngest in the family asked for forgiveness, everyone took their places, and the father came out into the middle of the house (room), bowed to everyone from the waist and also asked for forgiveness for his sinful actions.

For the same purpose, before sunset on this day, they went to the cemetery, left pancakes on the graves and bowed to the ashes of their relatives.

Even on this day we tried to drink less alcohol.
It was necessary to meet spring with a clear conscience and body, so at the end of Maslenitsa everyone went to the bathhouse.

On Forgiveness Sunday, you must fall asleep before midnight, then you will wake up easily in the morning.

Signs for Maslenitsa:

First of all, Maslenitsa is a time of remembrance of the dead. And the first pancakes baked on Pancake Monday are dedicated to the ancestors. You should knead the dough and bake pancakes in silence, turning over the faces of your relatives in your memory, remembering their words and actions. The first pancake cannot be eaten: it should be crumbled outside for the birds.

According to ancient belief, the birds, having pecked the treat, will fly to heaven and ask the Lord for you and your loved ones. And in the evening, gather the whole family for a meal. This will strengthen family ties and give you reliable protection from your ancestors.

Fortune telling for Maslenitsa:

Pancake fortune telling can be done by inviting friends. Make different fillings: sweet, salty, spicy, fresh, put a dry bean in several pancakes. Roll up the pancakes and place on a plate. Each person sitting at the table chooses one - the filling will tell you what awaits him. Sweet - for joy, spicy - for a hectic life, salty - for serious work, fresh - for life without change. And a bean means good luck in money.

Another fortune telling on Maslenitsa was carried out not on pancakes, but on a pie: in this way you can find out whether your cherished wish will come true before next spring. Bake the cake, cover with a napkin, and let cool.

Take a knife, dip it in holy water, wipe it with the napkin that was used to cover the cake, with the words:

“Like water from a knife, so is thinness from a house. We eat royal and boyar pies. My little pie, reveal your vow to me.”

Now sprinkle holy water on the cake and stick a knife into it. If the knife remains standing straight, it’s too early to expect changes. If it leans in your direction, your wish will come true if you don’t interfere with yourself. If the knife deviates straight away from you or to the right, it will not come true. If the knife deviates to the left of you - everything is fine, wait for your dream to come true. If the knife falls, it means failure.

How to protect yourself from the evil eye and damage on Maslenitsa:

During Shrovetide Week, you can perform a ritual of cleansing from negativity and the evil eye. To do this, you need to make a snowball, undress, stand in a basin and roll yourself with snow from head to toe (from head to toe), reading the plot:

“Passion, passion, come out, pour out of the servant of God (name). From a violent head, from a zealous heart, from a white body, from red blood, from a clean belly, from arms, from legs, from veins, from elderly. It is not I who drive out the evil eye, but Mother the Most Holy Theotokos with her angels, archangels, guardians and patrons every day, every hour, from now on and forever and ever! Amen!"

Pour out the water that the snow turns into at the intersection.

Conspiracy from envious people on Maslenitsa:

To protect yourself from envious people for a whole year, on the eve of Maslenitsa, on Sunday, read the plot three times:

“In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Theotokos Lady and you, the four evangelists: Luke, Mark, Matthew and John the Theologian. Save and preserve me (name), protect me from dashing thoughts, from devilish thoughts, from secret destruction, from the evil eye and the blind eye, from the envious eye, who hears and who does not hear, who curses out loud and who writes denunciations. The Alatyr-stone lies in one place, does not hear, does not see, is not afraid of knocking or sound, and is not hiding from anyone. So no sound, knock or word would touch me, I wouldn’t stumble over any damage. My words cannot be denied, they cannot be reprimanded. Neither the first in the family, nor the last. Key. Lock. Language. Amen".

Wealth plot:

On the Monday following the last day of Maslenitsa, Forgiveness Sunday, go to where the festivities took place and try to find at least a penny.

Raising it with your left hand, say:

“I walked and walked, and found how I (your name) walked towards this money, so that the money would come to me. Just as many people were here today in honor of Maslenitsa, so I would always have a lot of money. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen".

Keep the charmed coin until the next Maslenitsa. After a year, leave it where you picked it up.

Maslenitsa spell for good luck:

Bake pancakes. Choose the most beautiful pancake with smooth edges.

Cut it in half, and then slowly move the halves away from each other, saying a spell to attract good luck:

“Like sunrise and sunset do not coincide, This way all my troubles will pass by.

There will be troubles far from me, I will live freely and easily.”

Maslenitsa conspiracy to attract profit and material wealth:

On Maslenitsa you need to burn everything old and unnecessary. This is done when they light a fire and burn an effigy. If you live in the city, but are lucky enough to go out into nature during Maslenitsa week, grab old, unnecessary things.

Build a fire, throw trash into it and say the following spell:

“I burn the old things unnecessarily,

I invite you to new good things.

Let everything that has become obsolete go away.

Let the new one bring profit.

Let the unnecessary turn into ashes,

From the ashes he will be reborn with new successes!”

Money conspiracy for Maslenitsa pancakes:

We fry pancakes and charm them into material wealth.

We read the plot three times:

“The beautiful girl Marya came out, the beautiful girl Fedosya came out, at dawn early in the morning, they were combing their hair.

They spun the wheel, kneaded the flour, made the dough, these were the words they spoke.

The sun is clear, shine, bring us spring, don’t starve us, bring us the harvest.

I (name) followed, heard those words, repeated them, and spoke three times.

I, (name), call for spring, but I don’t know grief or pestilence.”

Everyone at home should be treated to pancakes.

Maslenitsa conspiracy - how to increase income:

On the first Monday after Maslenitsa, come to the place where the festivities took place. Walk around and look at the ground carefully - you need to find any coin.

“I went and found how I (name) went to this money,

So that the money will come to me.

How many people were here today

In honor of Holy Maslenitsa,

So I would always have a lot of money.

In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

Maslenitsa conspiracy against the evil eye and damage.

You are sure that someone has brought the evil eye or damage to you, or envious people have appeared - perform a ritual with a Maslenitsa spell.

In the morning, on the first day of Maslenitsa, stand facing the rising Sun and say:

“Maslenitsa will protect you from all evil,

Everything evil and bad will turn away from me.

On the first day, every evil eye will be reflected from me.

On the second day, all corruption will disappear from me.

On the third day, the evil conspiracy will be broken into pieces.

On the fourth day, everything will respond to the offenders.

On the fifth day, evil thoughts will turn to dust.

On the sixth day all my troubles will cease.

On the seventh, luck and strength will return to me.”

Repeat this spell at dawn every day of Maslenitsa.

Maslenitsa conspiracy to fulfill wishes:

We read the plot on Maslenitsa Sunday, before going to bed:

“Light up, clear star in the sky, to the joy of the baptized world,light up with an unquenchable fire for the joy of the Orthodox

Look, star, into the house of God’s servant (name).

You, clear star, sanctify my house with unquenchable fire.

Hear my desire (say your desire). Amen."

Cross yourself, bow and go to bed.

Maslenitsa conspiracy from damage and bad words:

“In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Theotokos Lady and you, the four evangelists: Luke, Mark, Matthew and John the Theologian.

Save and preserve me (name), protect me from dashing thoughts.

From the devil's thoughts, from secret destruction, from the evil eye and the blind eye, from the envious eye, who hears and who does not hear, who curses out loud and who writes denunciations.

The Alatyr-stone lies in one place, does not hear, does not see, is not afraid of knocking or sound, and is not hiding from anyone.

So no sound, knock or word would touch me.

I didn’t stumble over any damage.

My words cannot be denied, they cannot be reprimanded.

Neither the first in the family, nor the last.

Key. Lock. Language.Amen."

Envy conspiracy:

On Sunday, on the eve of the first day of Maslenitsa, in complete solitude, read the conspiracy three times that will protect you from negativity for the whole year:

“In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Theotokos Lady and you, the four evangelists: Luke, Mark, Matthew and John the Theologian. Save and preserve me (name), protect me from dashing thoughts, from devilish thoughts, from secret destruction, from the evil eye and the blind eye, from the envious eye, who hears and who does not hear, who curses out loud and who writes denunciations. The Alatyr-stone lies in one place, does not hear, does not see, is not afraid of knocking or sound, and is not hiding from anyone. So no sound, knock or word would touch me. I didn’t trip over any damage. My words cannot be denied, they cannot be reprimanded. Neither the first in the family, nor the last. Key. Lock. Language. Amen".

The CLEANSING RITUAL is done on Maslenitsa Sunday.

This ritual is done to restore happiness and correct karma.

This ritual should not be performed by a healer; it may take on the patient’s karma.

It's better when everyone makes it themselves.

Take a piece of paper and write down what worries you most: bad deeds, illnesses, attitude towards the world and people... In a word, what you would like to get rid of. Roll the sheet into a tube and cut into 3 equal parts.

Prepare protective circles from Thursday salt and holy water (the distance between them is 30 cm).

In front of the circle of salt, read “Our Father,” then step over this circle and stand in front of the circle of holy water.

You read the prayers “Virgin Mother of God, Rejoice” and “Guardian Angel” and step over the circle of water.

In front of you in the last circle there should be 4 lit candles.

Read Psalm 90 and burn 3 parts of the sheet in turn; when they burn, say “Hallelujah!” 40 times.

Then - obligatory observance of a 3-day fast and a visit to church, where you must put 12 candles to any icons in one visit.

CLEAR MONDAY.

After Maslenitsa ended, the peasants went to the bathhouse - ahead was “Clean Monday,” the first day of Lent.

The last echo of the holiday is Saturday of Lent. On this day, it was customary to “celebrate Maslenitsa”: bake lean pancakes with hemp or sunflower oil.

After this, the Maslenitsa fun finally died down.

HOW TO DOUBLE YOUR INCOME.

On the first Monday after Maslenitsa, come to the place where the festivities took place. Walk there, looking at your feet, until you find any money (even a penny).

Taking it with your left hand, say:

“I went and found how I (name) went to this money,
So that the money will come to me.
How many people were here today
In honor of Holy Maslenitsa,
So I would always have a lot of money.
In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

And of course special pancakes:

Most traditionally female jobs associated with cooking are associated with the circle. Protective circle. In a circle, clockwise (salt), you are supposed to knead the dough for pancakes. Spread butter in a circle on the frying pan using a piece of lard. And of course, a skilled housewife will pour the pancake into the frying pan in a circle, thinly distributing the dough; and a delicious, crispy pancake will absorb all her love.

Maslenitsa is a good opportunity to prepare food with your own hands, which is both tasty and magical. While kneading the dough, one must say all sorts of good wishes to it, addressed to the living and to the departed, to the strength of the clan and to the good spirits of the house. Words can be arbitrary.

There are folk sayings and rhymes that were used when baking pancakes.

, Maslenitsa will come, it will bring prosperity and health.

We're baking pancakes and waiting for the Sun."

But you can come up with your own words and wishes.

Money pancakes.

When you pipe the pancake batter, throw in some cinnamon! After all, the property of cinnamon to attract money has long been known. Cinnamon brings success, prosperity, attracts good luck. The aroma of cinnamon is very attractive for money!

When you mix the dough say:

“Money dough for money pancakes. Whoever eats the pancake gets a lot of money.”

After you bake pancakes, be sure to feed them to your family members, especially the one on whom your material well-being depends.

Pancakes that attract love.

They need to be baked on Tuesday. After all, Tuesday is flirtation, single guys on this day were looking for brides, and girls were looking for grooms. That’s why we need to bake “love” pancakes on Tuesday! These pancakes must have a sweet filling! Make the dough in any way, and when you fry, say:

“I bake pancakes, I attract love.”

And be sure to treat your friends and family with homemade pancakes during Maslenitsa week. Since ancient times, it was believed that Spring would bestow well-being and prosperity on everyone who was generous with pancakes this week.

There are sayings about Russian Maslenitsa:

* Not life, but Maslenitsa, Not everything is Maslenitsa, there will be Lent.

* Maslenitsa lasts for seven days.

* Maslenitsa went around, saved money.

* It’s Maslenitsa, damn it, it’s bringing honey.

* We ask you kindly about Maslenitsa with your kindness, with an honest belly,

* Malanya got married at Maslenitsa, thought she was planning to get married, but Malanya didn’t know that it was Maslenitsa, and there was little hangover after Radushitsa,

* Maslenitsa obedukha, with money,

* Maslenitsa is afraid of bitter radishes and steamed turnips,

* After Maslenitsa - Lent, and after Passion - Easter,

* At least put something away from yourself, and celebrate Maslenitsa,

* For some it’s Maslenitsa, but it’s continuous, but for us it’s Palm and Passion!

* There was Maslenitsa near the yard, but she didn’t come into the house,

* Without pancakes, it’s not Maslenitsa.

* On the day of forgiveness, like on Easter, everyone kisses.
But while walking, “you still need to remember about the upcoming fast.”

There are also tips on this matter:

"Mardi Gras does not last forever"

“Feast and party, woman, on Maslenitsa, and remember about fasting.”

Maslenitsa is preceded by weeks that are popularly called: solid, variegated, omnivorous.

Motley weeks are the last weeks before fasting; they follow omnivorous weeks. A motley week follows a solid one.

Signs:

“As colorful as Maslenitsa is,”

“If the weather is good on Omnivore, then Maslenitsa will be warm,”

“Whatever the omnivorous weather, so is Maslenitsa”

"Inclement weather on Sunday before Maslenitsa means a mushroom harvest"

"Thaw with frost on a forgiven day - for the mushroom harvest,"

"What a red day of Maslenitsa - such is the wheat in the spring."

During Maslenitsa, people feasted on pancakes and other dishes. It was Russian pancakes that were the symbol of this holiday, which were so reminiscent of the red sun. Pancakes were baked in an endless variety: wheat, oat, buckwheat, from unleavened and sour dough.

This is what people used to say about pancakes:

* A pancake is not a wedge - it won’t split your belly.

* Aunt Varvara,
My mother sent me:
Give me some frying pans and a frying pan,
Torments and lubricants.

* Water in the oven,
Wants pancakes in the oven.

* Where the pancakes are, here we are.

* Pancakes, pancakes, pancakes, like the wheels of spring.

On the last day of Maslenitsa they celebrated her farewell.

On this day, in the morning, the children's concern is to make a snow woman, put him in a sled, and roll him down the icy mountain.

Spending the winter with dignity and welcoming spring with Maslenitsa must certainly be fun, since it was believed that the one who does not celebrate on these days and does not see off the winter is the whole next year they will “do poorly.” But for those celebrating, the year will be successful, all things will go smoothly, there will be a lot of food in the house, and illnesses will disappear from it. All Maslenitsa days have their own rules and names. We will tell our readers how to celebrate Maslenitsa in compliance with all Slavic ritual traditions.

- a pagan holiday that has survived to this day. Today we celebrate it with pleasure with round dances, baking, making pancake pies from them, with songs, jokes, snow games, with the symbolic burning of such a ritual object at the holiday as the effigy of Maslenitsa at the end of Maslenitsa week. The celebration of Maslenitsa lasts not one day, but seven.

Maslenitsa week

Meeting

And we will begin to talk about the days of Maslenitsa from the Monday of Maslenitsa week, which was called “meeting”. On Monday, a scarecrow of Maslenitsa was made, which symbolized the passing winter, and installed in the center of the square where the main festivities took place. The scarecrow will not have the most pleasant fate - to be burned at the end of Maslenitsa week. In addition to installing the scarecrow, on this day it is planned to begin folk festivities, sleigh rides, and snow slides.

Flirting

Tuesday continues the celebration of Maslenitsa and it is called “playing” for the continuation of the initial games with which people were amused on Monday. In addition to the roller coaster rides, they also dressed up as mummers and in masks, staged clowning, theatrical performances at fairs and squares, and rode three horses. At home and on the streets creative people on such a day they organize concerts for those who want to listen to their art.

Gourmand

Wednesday continues the days of Maslenitsa - “gourmet”. On this day, as the name suggests, people feasted on dishes prepared for Maslenitsa, pancakes, pies, homemade beer, honey gingerbread, and hot tea. Of course, fun, games, and noisy pastime continued on this day, as well as throughout the entire Maslenitsa week.

Revelry

Thursday of the celebration of Maslenitsa was called “revelry” or a turning point. Wall-to-wall games and famous Russian fist fights were held on such a day.

Mother-in-law's evening

Friday's Maslenitsa was called "mother-in-law's evening." On this day, present or future sons-in-law visited their mothers-in-law's houses, treated themselves to mother-in-law pancakes and other dishes that they had prepared for Maslenitsa.

Sister-in-law's get-togethers

On Saturday, the celebration of Maslenitsa was called “sister-in-law’s gatherings.” Again a meeting of relatives, again a pleasant feast, sincere conversations.

Seeing off

Well, the seven days of Maslenitsa end with Sunday - “farewell”, or “forgiveness day”. Such a day was also called a kissing day. On this important day of the holiday, it was customary not only to say goodbye to Winter and welcome Spring, to burn an effigy in the square and have fun, but also to do an important thing - to ask forgiveness from all loved ones who were offended for the harm caused, for some of their own misdeeds. And forgive yourself with with a pure heart them for the same actions that were caused accidentally or intentionally. A very bright, clean, beautiful day before the start of Lent. This is where paganism collided with Christianity in the right way and the latter did not lose from this.

Preserved since pagan times, this is Maslenitsa. Description of the holiday summary scenarios of rites and rituals requires the creation of a separate article. Therefore, I propose that together we familiarize ourselves in more detail with the history and traditions of the national celebration.

history of the holiday

The ancient Slavs believed that Maslenitsa symbolized the strengthening of the pagan deity of the Sun. From the weak baby Kolyada, it turns into a strong young man Yarila, who helps to get a rich harvest in the fields in the summer. In honor of this, Maslenitsa was organized. The description of the holiday in Rus' is presented as a welcoming of spring and cajoling the gods with a request for a prosperous new harvest.

Until the 14th century, every year in Rus' began its countdown on March 1. Therefore, the Maslenitsa holiday also meant celebrating the New Year. The traditional holiday treat was pancakes, which represented a symbol of the solar circle. Hot and ruddy, they look like the sun, which flares up more and more every day of spring and becomes brighter. An ancient sign said: as the New Year's meeting goes, so will the whole year. Therefore, our ancestors did not spare money on a rich feast and fun activities, which Maslenitsa is especially generous with. The description of the holiday mentions its other popular names: wide, gluttonous, honest and even ruinous. The proverb said: “Maslenitsa is a waste of money, a waste of money.”

Cheese week

Over time, which lasted fourteen days, turned into a Christian one. It began to precede the beginning of Great Lent, lasting forty days and ending with Easter - Easter Christ's Resurrection. Because of this, Maslenitsa became a moving holiday, depending on the Easter timing, and was reduced to seven days.

During the time of Peter the Great, a decree was issued ordering the holiday to be celebrated in the image and likeness of European carnivals. Maslenitsa was remembered as cheerful and daring by our ancestors and has survived to this day. The description of the holiday (photo below) is reminiscent of the Italian carnival, which translated sounds like “goodbye beef.” The seven days preceding Lent were also called Meat Empty. During these days, it was already forbidden to eat meat, although it was permissible to eat other fast foods (butter, milk, eggs, fish).

Maslenitsa rituals

Traditions and rituals Cheese week strictly ordered and subject to the sacred number seven. This is how many days Maslenitsa lasts. The description of the holiday (burning an effigy, folk festivities, gatherings, etc.) says that Meat Empty begins exactly seven weeks before Easter and is divided into two parts. Narrow Maslenitsa is a short period that includes the first three days of the week. The second part (starting from Thursday and ending with Sunday) is called The description of each day speaks of its special purpose and is associated with the performance of certain rituals.

During the week, people visit each other, treat each other to hearty holiday food, have fun, dance and sing. The culmination of the holiday falls on Sunday. On this day, the effigy of Winter is burned. The ritual symbolizes the inevitable change of seasons. Maslenitsa ends with this solemn event.

The description of the holiday for children and adults contains a deep meaning based on folk wisdom. He talks about sacrifice, which is necessary for future fertility. The birth of life is preceded by struggle, death and resurrection. Further in the article we will consider a description of Maslenitsa for each day of the holiday. We will also learn what customs have survived to this day.

Day one - Meeting

Narrow Maslenitsa. The description by day of events that should take place during the holiday week begins on Monday. From scrap materials (straw, rags, hemp), the youth made a large doll, dressing it in women's clothing. This is how the ritual of creating a scarecrow took place, which was called “Maslenitsa”.

The description of the holiday in ancient cities and villages confirms that this day was filled with important events. Maslenitsa was impaled and put on public display in the central square. The children collected dry branches, leftover straw, old rags and put it all in a pile, preparing a future fire for burning the effigy. Men built snow cities, in which they then staged cheerful massacres. Ice slides were built for children and adults, skating rinks were filled, and colorful carousels were installed.

For a whole week, Straw Maslenitsa delighted and amused the people. The description of the holiday mentions crowded fairs, where there was a brisk trade in various goods and noisy performances with mummers were held. The people were amused by jesters and buffoons who sang funny ditties and played funny pranks. Various competitions were organized for men, where they could measure their strength and show their brave prowess. All the events of the first day emphasized the special joy of meeting an important event called Maslenitsa.

The description of the holiday for children is marked by special care for them. Sweet tables were prepared for the kids, where they delighted with lollipop cockerels, sugar nuts and other sweets. There were booths on the square where they gave puppet shows. The children created a little straw woman for their own fun. She was put on a sled and taken around the village.

On the first day of the holiday, people began to visit guests. Pancakes with various fillings were always placed on the table. Round-shaped baked goods were especially welcomed: cheesecakes, bagels, rolls. In addition, housewives always prepared pancakes, potato pies with mushrooms, cottage cheese, and cabbage. We treated our dear guests to various nuts (pine, walnuts, hazelnuts), fried seeds, and candies.

On the first day of Maslenitsa, the mother-in-law came to the newlyweds to teach the children how to cook pancakes correctly. According to custom, the first baked pancake was given to the poor or blessed people so that they would remember the dead.

Day two - Flirting

The name of Tuesday speaks of his special cheerful mood. From the very morning, young people treated themselves to pancakes, rode carousels and ice slides. The guys flirted with the girls, looking for future brides among them. Horseback riding was very popular, so wealthy grooms especially for this time purchased painted sleighs on which they carried their chosen ones.

Festive festivities on Meat Week were called Maslenitsa fun. They hosted a wide variety of amusements and amusements: snow battles, taking snow town, wrestling, bear shows, jumping over a fire, sledding down a hill.

Day three - Gourmand

Narrow Maslenitsa ended on Wednesday. The description of the holiday on this day speaks of its special significance in maintaining family relations. Adult children came to visit their parents, gave them gifts and congratulated them on the holiday. Each mother-in-law prepared pancakes for Lakomka according to her own special recipe and treated them to her dear son-in-law. In addition, the tables were laden with all kinds of food, which were also treated to relatives and close friends. Since then, related trips to Maslenitsa began to be called a visit “to the mother-in-law for pancakes.”

There are many humorous songs, proverbs and sayings associated with Lakomka, which talk about the relationships of close relatives: “a son-in-law in the yard means a pie on the table”; “son-in-law on the doorstep - mother-in-law by the balls”; “My son-in-law is coming, where can I get sour cream?” The holiday was especially expensive for those families with many daughters. This is where the saying came from: “even if you pawn everything from yourself, still celebrate Maslenitsa!”

Day four - Take a walk

Wide Maslenitsa. The description of the days of the holiday week continues with Thursday, on which the widespread revelry tripled. The people indulged in all kinds of pleasures with special force. They carried a stuffed animal on a wheel through the streets, sang, had fun and had horse rides. It was believed that the custom helped the sun to spend the winter faster. As a sign of this, young people rode troikas around the village, moving clockwise.

This is what Maslenitsa was like. The description of the holiday with pictures suggests that the fourth day was a turning point in Maslenitsa week, so the festivities were stormy and lasted until late in the evening. The children went home and caroled. The men on Razgulyai staged a battle in the snowy town, and also measured their strength in fist fights or went wall to wall. The girls danced, danced in circles, and sang mischievous ditties. On this day, it was not considered shameful for couples to kiss in front of everyone. And those who were especially shy could simply be pelted with snowballs. And, of course, they continued to cook countless pancakes and treat each other to them.

Day five - Mother-in-law's party

On Friday, mothers-in-law came to their daughters and sons-in-law, paying them a return visit. Guests were greeted with special reverence and respect. The sons-in-law treated the wife's relatives to hot pancakes and showed them all kinds of honors. On this day, not just feasts took place, but sincere conversations in which older generation gave advice to the young, admonished and admonished them.

A description of Maslenitsa would be incomplete without talking about how they prepared for mother-in-law's parties. When a son-in-law forgot to invite his mother-in-law to visit, she could be offended for life. The ritual was that after the invitation, each mother-in-law would send kitchen utensils to her son-in-law's house the night before: frying pans, bowls and other utensils for baking pancakes. Products arrived from the father-in-law, from which the son-in-law could knead the dough. On Friday morning, a messenger was sent to the mother-in-law's house with a reminder that they were expected to visit. On the day of mother-in-law's evenings, all shops and workshops were closed, and classes were canceled in schools.

Day six - Sister-in-law's gatherings

On Saturday, a young daughter-in-law invited her sister-in-law, her husband’s sister, to visit. Married friends and young women also came to the house. The hostess was setting it for her friends festive table and gave gifts to her sisters-in-law. Women's gatherings were a good opportunity to exchange news and gossip on various topics.

On the sixth day of Maslenitsa, festive revelry and feasting continued. One of the main entertainments was trotting and riding painted troikas.

Day seven - Forgiveness Resurrection

On Sunday, the main ritual that marked Maslenitsa was performed - the burning of an effigy. The straw woman was first rolled around the village, and then taken outside the outskirts, where she was set on fire. When the doll burned, the youth began to jump over the fire. In addition to firewood, old things were thrown into the fire, for example, a wooden wheel. It symbolized the sun, which was bringing the coming spring closer.

In some villages, Maslenitsa was drowned in an ice hole or torn into pieces, and the remains were scattered throughout the village. Sometimes instead of a straw effigy they chose Maslenitsa an elderly woman or an old man. They were dressed in festive attire, taken on sleighs around the village, and then dumped in the snow.

The ritual destruction of the straw doll symbolized farewell to Maslenitsa and the resurrection of its power with the onset of spring in sprouted grains of bread. During the latter, it was allowed to drink alcohol and have fun until the night. Sunday marked the end of the week-long celebration. On the last day of the week on the eve of Lent, everyone asked each other for forgiveness, thereby freeing their souls from sins. In order to fully repent, it was customary to go to a steam bath after burning an effigy.

How is Maslenitsa celebrated today?

Ancient pagan holiday has preserved its traditions to this day. In honor of the holiday, many Russian cities hold carnival processions with costumed heroes, masquerades and fireworks. Maslenitsa venues with a stage, attractions and places for selling souvenirs and festive food are arranged for guests.

During Maslenitsa week, it is customary to devote more time to your family, visit relatives and receive guests. On Forgiveness Sunday everyone Orthodox people repent of their own sins and show mercy to others.

The participation of children and teenagers in the fun holiday called Maslenitsa is especially welcome. A description for children of the history of the holiday and its traditions that have survived to this day gives the younger generation useful knowledge about their people. The popularization of Cheese Week includes the mandatory participation of families with children in city events. For children, kindergartens and schools install a colorful Maslenitsa effigy and organize collective farewells to winter. Numerous master classes on preparing a variety of pancakes with the indispensable participation of children teach them to work and tell them about what Maslenitsa is. The description of holiday scenarios for children includes competitions for knowledge of traditions, proverbs and sayings associated with Maslenitsa. There are also many different competitions, games and fun with mandatory rewards and gifts. All this enriches children with new knowledge and helps organize cultural leisure.

How is Maslenitsa celebrated in other countries?

Maslenitsa is not only a holiday of the Slavs, it has long been celebrated in many European countries. The holiday week marks the arrival of spring and takes place in the form of a carnival. At this time, quarrels and strife cease, fun, laughter and good mood reign.

In Scotland, on Maslenitsa it is customary to bake round Lenten flatbreads - an analogue of Russian pancakes. This event was treated very responsibly in the house and all family members were involved in it. Each was assigned a separate role: knead the dough, grease the frying pan, turn the flatbreads, stack them.

In England, Maslenitsa is also widely and cheerfully celebrated. Description of the holiday English language talks about interesting tradition organize pancake running competitions. Only women take part in them, who, at the signal of the bell, run, holding in their hands hot frying pan with pancake. Each participant must be over 18 years old and wear a headscarf and kitchen apron. The most difficult part of the competition is that while running you need to throw a pancake in a frying pan three times and catch it. The participant who comes to the finish line first hands over her pancake to the bell ringer, receiving a kiss from him for this.

In Rus', the main characters of the holiday were the newlyweds. It was considered very lucky to get married during Maslenitsa week. And in some European countries, the main focus is on single people. In Poland, young girls invite guys over and treat them to pancakes. Instead of gratitude, young guys stick their necks out, and girls can pull them by the hair.

In the Czech Republic, the holiday begins on January 6, reaching its apogee on last week before Lent. In villages, young boys smear soot on their faces and chant funny songs, go around the whole village. They take with them a colorful wooden block - a klatik, which they put around the neck of the girls they meet or tie it to their arm. To pay off the advances of the suitors, the girl must pay them.

In France, the second day of the week is called Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. Its history is connected with a beautiful ancient legend about beautiful girl Rose, who was saved from the hands of the devil by the brave guy Gabriel. The holiday is accompanied by eating pancakes and a fun carnival, which should end exactly at midnight.

In Greece, Maslenitsa is called Apokries, which means “without meat.” The celebration lasts three whole weeks and includes the obligatory tradition of roasting a pig over a fire. An indispensable attribute of the holiday is also a carnival costume procession with funny songs and games.

In Germany, on Maslenitsa it is customary to prepare pancakes, pancakes and fried sausage. During carnival processions, people dress up as devils, forest spirits, jesters and various fairy-tale heroes. In Holland and Belgium, the festive carnival lasts three days. These days people enjoy pancakes with bacon, pancakes and fried donuts.

The history of Maslenitsa for children

Most last holiday winter - this is Maslenitsa, so beloved by children and adults. The whole week, which is also called cheese week, cheese week or butter week, celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of the long-awaited spring. This holiday has come to us from time immemorial. Once upon a time, even before the adoption of Christianity in 988, our pagan ancestors deified nature and believed that it was alive and inhabited by good and evil forces. Therefore, before various important events for people, it was customary to turn to the forces of nature, appeasing them. The end of winter and the beginning of spring are, of course, special events, because the future harvest depended on what kind of spring it was, early or late, warm or cold. Therefore, it was necessary to greet spring in a special way. The celebration of Maslenitsa is dedicated to this event. This is, in general, a pagan holiday, but since it personifies the struggle between good and evil, the official church did not object to its celebration, especially since it is celebrated before Lent, which is a serious test for people, and they need to mentally prepare for it . This holiday takes place from February 3 to March 14 and is celebrated widely, freely, with adventures and fun.

The change of seasons occurs at the will of the gods, who need to be appeased, as the pagans believed. If you want spring to come quickly, show how you are waiting for it. Since ancient times, people have been sure that spring is the beginning of a new life, and the Sun is a being that gives life and strength to all living things. Invoking the Sun, people baked unleavened round cakes of golden color, and later began to bake pancakes. The ancient Slavs believed that by eating a round, ruddy pancake that looked like the sun, they would eat a piece of its warmth and power and bring spring closer. Later, when Christianity was adopted in Rus', according to Orthodox traditions, it was forbidden to eat meat before Lent, but dairy products were still allowed, so they baked pancakes, generously greasing them with butter, pouring sour cream on them and topping them with cheese. Since then, it has become a tradition that the most important dish on Maslenitsa is pancakes.

Maslenitsa is a straw effigy dressed in women's clothing, holding pancakes or a frying pan. The pancakes are specially heavily greased with butter, buttered, and it is from these buttered circles that the name of the holiday and the character were born. The Maslenitsa effigy became the main character of the entire Maslenitsa week: at first it was called, entertained, celebrated, and at the end of the week it was burned at the stake, thereby driving away the last frosts and winter.

On Maslenitsa, mummers and buffoons walked through the streets with songs, jokes and jokes, and a kind of carnival was organized. It was believed that the more you laugh, the more pancakes you eat, the more satisfying and happier the year will be. This week in the villages it was necessary to do everything topsy-turvy: men dressed in women's clothes, women in men's clothes. Even the horses were dressed up. Then the mummers rode through the streets on these sleighs, singing funny songs to the music of horns, balalaikas and whistles.

This week everyone had a lot of fun, there was entertainment for every taste. Carousels and swings were built at fairgrounds, and puppeteers and buffoons showed their performances. Everyone, young and old, competed in strength and dexterity. A prize (new boots, a bag of candy or nuts) was tied to the top of a tall smooth pole, and the most dexterous one had to climb up to untie the prize. The strongmen competed in fist fights.

Both adults and children rode down high ice slides on sleds, skis and skates. Skiing down the mountains wasn't just fun. Various signs were associated with this. It was believed that whoever rolled down the mountain more times or who traveled further would produce more flax in the summer. There was even a saying: “Let’s go for a long ride.” However, the most common fun on Maslenitsa was the construction and assault of snow towns. The artist V.I. Surikov has a painting “The Capture of a Snowy Town,” which depicts just such fun. The town was built by both adults and children, and it looked like a real one: there were gates through which one could ride on horseback, and towers, and towers. And they really protected him too. The team that tried to get into the town stormed it several times during the game and threw snowballs at it. And each defender of the snow fortress was given a rattle and a broom, with their help they tried to frighten the horse and force it to turn. The game ended only when the attackers burst into the town. Then the winners solemnly walked through the village singing, and after fun games in the frost, you could have a hearty snack - try piping hot pancakes with different fillings, enjoy honey gingerbread, fresh rolls, nuts in sugar, drink sbiten (it was prepared from honey, horseradish, water and yeast) or fragrant tea from a pot-bellied samovar.

Each day of Maslenitsa has its own name.

Monday - “Meeting”, Tuesday - “Flirting”, Wednesday - “Gourmand”, Thursday - “Revelry”, Friday - “Mother-in-Law’s Evening”, Saturday - “Sister-in-Law’s Gatherings”, Sunday - “Forgiveness Day”. The name of each day gives a hint what needs to be done on a particular day of Maslenitsa.

So, on Monday it is necessary to start celebrating the holiday. The housewives began baking pancakes; this was a responsible task and was considered a real sacrament. The night before, housewives, secretly from their household, went out to prepare the dough in the yard in the light of the moon, adding snow to the dough. At the same time, one had to pronounce a “magic” saying: “Month, month, golden horns, look through the window, blow on the dough.”

On this day, while visiting relatives, they agreed on who to invite, when to visit, when to organize sleigh rides from the mountains. On this day, ice slides were completed, swings and carousels were installed in the squares.

On Tuesday The festivities and games themselves began. This day was dedicated to young boys and girls who were about to get married or had recently gotten married. This day was a great occasion meet the future groom or choose a bride. In the morning, at "Zigrysha" the girls and young men went to visit - ride the slides, eat pancakes. The brothers built slides for their sisters in the courtyards, where they invited young boys and girls so that, under the supervision of the family, the young people could get to know each other better. Special attention on this day they paid attention to newlyweds. Recently married couples went out to public in painted sleighs, they dressed up in best suits and stood side by side on both sides of the road. Young people had to show others how much they loved each other (they had to kiss and hug). This custom was called "Pillars". Passers-by shouted: “Gunpowder on your lips!”, and the newlyweds kissed. All sorts of humorous tests were arranged for recent spouses. For example, they could throw snow at a young husband with the words “Let’s go bury our young sons-in-law!” The young wife, in order to save her husband, had to ransom him with pancakes. In order to finally “save” her husband, the wife brought pancakes to the “burrowers” ​​and kissed her husband as much as they demanded. “Auntie, don’t be stingy, pay us off,” the jokers demanded.

On Wednesday , at Lakomka, mothers-in-law invited their sons-in-law for pancakes, and for the sons-in-law's fun they called all their relatives. On this day it was supposed to thank the mother-in-law for her care, praise her housekeeping, and sing songs about her. At fairs, funny scenes were played out with bears and mummers, about how the mother-in-law baked pancakes for her son-in-law, how the mother-in-law’s head hurt, how the son-in-law said “thank you” to his mother-in-law. There was a belief that on the “Gourmand” you need to eat as much of everything tasty as possible, as people said, “how many times a dog wags its tail.”

In response to gratitude, the mother-in-law was supposed to anoint her son-in-law’s head with oil, “so that he would be affectionate and also touch his wife.”

Thursday “Razgul” was the most satisfying and cheerful day; it accounted for the most games, festivities, and round dances. They set up “butter trains”: they tied a pole to a huge sleigh, stuffed a wheel on it, and on the wheel they put the biggest joker and merry fellow - an accordion player with wine, pies, pancakes, sweets, whipped a horse and sent him on a trip. The rest of the people followed the accordion player and sang. On the same day, the scarecrow of Maslenitsa began to be taken out and the mummers began to sing carols. Anyone could drop in on neighbors, acquaintances and strangers, singing sentences. For example, like this: “Ding-dank, give me a pancake, a fried pancake, my friend and I can go for a couple of minutes.” Auntie, don’t be stingy, share a piece of butter.” Or these: “Tryntsy-bryntsy, bake pancakes!”

After such words, even unfamiliar housewives had to treat those asking for pancakes.

On Friday , at Mother-in-Law's Evening, sons-in-law treated their wives' mothers to pancakes and sweets.

The evening before, the son-in-law had to personally invite his mother-in-law in the evening, and the next morning send special ceremonial “calls” for her. The more “invited” there were, the more honors the mother-in-law received. This is where the saying comes from: “A mother-in-law’s son-in-law is her favorite son.” Only the treat was at the expense of the party coming. In the evening, the mother-in-law had to send everything needed for baking (from a frying pan to butter and flour) to her son-in-law and daughter's house.

On Saturday — “Sister-in-law’s gatherings” (sister-in-law is her husband’s sister). The young daughter-in-law invited her husband's relatives to visit her. “My sister-in-law is a head of gold,” says a Russian folk proverb. If the husband’s sister had not yet managed to start a family, then unmarried friends were invited to visit. And if the sister-in-law was already married, then the daughter-in-law gathered married relatives. Sometimes the daughter-in-law and her relatives went straight to the house of her husband's sister. In those days there was a custom to give gifts to sisters-in-law pleasant little things, it was necessary to appease my husband’s sister so that no quarrels or disputes would arise in the future. By the way, the word “sister-in-law” comes from the word “evil.” The husband's sisters were distrustful of their brother's young wife and behaved quite harshly with her, sometimes even unfairly. So on Maslenitsa it was possible to improve the situation by giving gifts to sisters-in-law and turning them from “snake-headed sisters-in-law” into their friends.

On the last day of Maslenitsa - Sunday - they finished the pancakes and burned the effigy of Maslenitsa, symbolizing the passing winter. They made a huge fire, burned old things in it (which will no longer be needed this year) and threw a scarecrow of Maslenitsa. Around the fire they stood in a round dance and sang: “Burn, burn clearly, so that it does not go out. Maslenitsa has sunbathed, the whole world is tired of it, goodbye, goodbye, come visit us next year.” In some villages, the last pancakes were thrown into the fire, because the next day was fasting, during which they ate only low-fat plant foods. The ashes of Maslenitsa were scattered across the fields - “for a rich harvest.” In the city, instead of old unnecessary things, ice mountains were melted in the fire to destroy the last manifestation of winter (snow and ice). Then everyone went to visit relatives and friends, gave them gifts and asked forgiveness from each other for quarrels and offenses caused with the words: “Forgive me - God will forgive.” At first, the younger ones asked for forgiveness, the children bowed at the feet of their parents and asked for forgiveness, then all relatives and friends came for forgiveness. Maslenitsa ended, people said goodbye not only to the harsh winter, but also freed themselves from old grievances that had accumulated over the whole year. They were ready to meet New Year with a pure heart and a light soul.

Festive interior for Maslenitsa

Since Maslenitsa is a holiday associated with outdoor games (the last winter fun), it does not require special home decoration. The main attribute of the holiday is a special pancake menu, the main decoration is all kinds of pancakes and pancakes. So you can devote all your energy and time to baking pancakes, and decorate your apartment in folk style. You can hang towels - embroidered towels - on the walls of your room and kitchen (it’s good if you inherited them from your grandmothers and great-grandmothers, but you can embroider a couple of towels with your children. At the same time, children will learn the pedigree of their family and get acquainted with folk traditions). Hang posters on the walls with Russian folk proverbs about pancakes and Maslenitsa. For example: “Like during Shrovetide week, pancakes flew to the ceiling,” “Without pancakes, it’s not Maslenitsa, without pies, it’s not a name day.”

There are wonderful paintings by B. Kustodiev “Maslenitsa” and V. Surikov “Taking the Snowy Town”. Their reproductions will become good decoration interior Invite children to draw pictures on the theme of Maslenitsa, arrange a themed vernissage. You can create a corner of a Russian hut in a modern apartment by placing folk utensils on shelves or wooden benches: stags, rollers, jars, wooden sieves, painted spoons, a samovar, clay or wooden dishes, nesting dolls, bast shoes. Instead of a large Maslenitsa scarecrow, you can make small straw figurines and decorate your apartment with them. Put away modern dolls in drawers and, together with your children, make fabric spin dolls that were played with during Slavic antiquity. Back then, dolls were made from scraps of material left over from their parents’ clothes. Such a toy was supposed to protect the peace and health of the child in the absence of parents, and became a talisman. You can put a large scarecrow of Maslenitsa in a prominent place of honor. It’s not difficult to make; use a crosspiece and a bast wound on a long pole for its base. You can dress up Maslenitsa in bright sundress, decorate with beads and earrings, bright ribbons, you can draw her face (in case you are planning to burn the effigy). In the old days, it was believed that such a doll absorbs everything negative that accumulates in man and nature, and this bad disappears along with the ritual of destroying the doll.

How your apartment will be decorated depends only on you, the main thing is to feel the holiday mood.