July 7 — Ivan Kupala: how the Slavs celebrated Kupala night
Ivan Kupala is a pagan Slavic holiday that falls on the date of the summer solstice. There are many customs and traditions associated with this day. The most famous are Kupala bathing and jumping over a campfire. In 2025, the date falls on Monday, July 7th. Read about how Ivan Kupala was celebrated in the old days in the Izvestia article.
Ivan Kupala in 2025 — traditions and customs
In folk traditions, the Ivan Kupala holiday was primarily associated with nature and procreation. It was usually celebrated outdoors, most often on high ground or near the shores of rivers and lakes. The merry festivities were accompanied by round dances, songs, wedding ceremonies, as well as various rituals of purification and ablution. The celebrations began in the evening hours and lasted until dawn.
Bathing before sunset was a mandatory element of the holiday. On the night of Bathing, the water was considered healing — it helped to get rid of diseases, filled with strength and youth. In the northern regions, people steamed in baths more often, and in the south, they swam directly in open reservoirs. It was believed that from that day on, all evil spirits came out of the rivers, so until Elijah's Day (August 2), it was safe to enter the water.
Unmarried girls floated wreaths of wildflowers along the river, decorating them with ribbons and kindling. By the way the wreath floats, they wondered about fate: if it stayed on the water for a long time, a happy personal life awaited the girl. In the evening, the Slavs lit bonfires and jumped over the fire, holding hands.
This rite was especially popular among the young. According to popular belief, if a guy and a girl don't let go of each other during a jump, then there will be a wedding soon. A couple in love who jumped over a campfire, as was believed in the old days, would be inseparable for the rest of their lives. The clothes of sick people were also burned at Kupala bonfires to get rid of the disease.
Another ancient tradition of celebrating Ivan Kupala is associated with the search for the magic flower of the fern. It was believed that the fern blooms once a year, on Kupala night, bringing happiness and good luck to the one who picks it. However, it was very difficult to find the flower, which was hindered in every possible way by an evil spirit that guided along confusing paths, and in some cases deprived of reason and memory.
Other herbs were also harvested on Ivan Kupala. The people believed that plants acquire magical properties on this night. Then they were used during fortune-telling and for making medicinal tinctures.
Ivan Kupala in 2025 — what can and cannot be done
According to superstitions, on Ivan Kupala one should not indulge in despondency and spend the day alone, otherwise the whole year will pass. Also, you can not sleep on Kupala night, so as not to oversleep your happiness. Even in the old days, it was believed that this period was favorable in order to strengthen family and love ties. Quarrels and any disagreements were not allowed on the holiday.
Since the day is associated with the name of John the Baptist, believers are advised to refrain from participating in festivities. According to Christian traditions, on this day one should attend the morning liturgy and take communion in the temple. Since the holiday coincides with Orthodox Lent, feasting and drinking are not allowed.
Earlier in July, Agrafena the Bathhouse was honored in Russia. Izvestia told about the history, traditions and prohibitions of this day.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
