March 1 — Yaril's Day: how spring was celebrated in Russia

The arrival of spring is considered a significant event in many cultures. In Russia, Yarilin Day was celebrated on March 1, an ancient Slavic holiday of the sun and fertility, personifying the awakening of nature. In 2025, it falls on a Saturday. Read about its traditions, history and signs in the Izvestia article.

Yarilin's Day – 2025: the history of the holiday

The tradition of celebrating Yarilina Days has its roots in the pre-Christian history of Russia, when the Eastern Slavs worshiped the gods of nature. Yarilo was considered by his ancestors to be a young, blond-haired deity who awakened in the spring and reached his greatest power in the summer. His image symbolized solar energy, warmth and fertility.

Yarilo was one of the most revered Slavic gods, the patron saint of agriculture, cattle breeding and fertility. On March 1 and July 1, celebrations were held in his honor, which were accompanied by wide festivities, various rituals and rituals. It was believed that nature was changing these days, Yarilo was giving warmth to the earth, health to people, and rich harvests to the fields.

Before the baptism of Rus by Prince Vladimir in 988, Yarilina days were celebrated very widely. However, even after the establishment of Christianity, many rituals continued to exist, adapting to the new religion.

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Historical references to St. Mary's Day are found even in church documents of the XVIII century. For example, Bishop Tikhon Zadonsky, who lived in 1724-1783, wrote about folk festivals dedicated to Yarila in Voronezh and its surroundings. Also, some pagan rituals echoed Maslenitsa, Kupala Night and other calendar holidays.

Both dates of the celebration of Yarilina Day are associated with natural cycles. March 1 symbolizes the beginning of spring, when the sun is gaining strength, the snow begins to melt, and nature wakes up. July 1 marks the "peak of summer", when the sun is at its zenith, and crops are ripening in the fields and gardens.

Traditions of celebrating Yarilin's day on March 1

In ancient times, New Year was celebrated in Russia on March 1, this day was accompanied by mass festivities, songs, round dances and rituals related to the preparation for sowing. It was not accepted to work for Yarila, but the peasants turned to the pagan deity with requests for a rich harvest.

One of the main rituals of the holiday was the choice of a boy or a girl playing the role of Yarila. They were mounted on a white horse, put on a wreath of wildflowers and presented with ears of wheat. After that, the chosen one rode around the fields — the people believed that where Yaril's horse set foot, a rich harvest would be born.

On this day, our ancestors held fairs and games. The young men competed in strength and agility, and had fist fights. And in the evening, large bonfires were lit, around which dances were performed. It was believed that the flame cleanses from troubles and diseases.

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Unmarried girls on the holiday arranged fortune—telling for their betrothed - they wove wreaths and let them float along the river, believing that whichever way they sailed, the groom would come from there. And if the wreath was sinking, the wedding was not worth waiting for this year.

On March 1, midwives collected snow, heated it and washed their faces and hands with melt water, it was believed that this would help the birth to pass easily and without complications. The women in labor themselves should have washed with it.

What can and cannot be done on Yaril's day

The ancient Slavs treated Yarila with respect and fear. In order not to anger the powerful deity and not to incur serious troubles, on March 1, the ancestors had a number of strict prohibitions.

Yaril's day should be spent in festive festivities, family feasts or just relaxing with loved ones, it was not customary to work on this day. It was also believed that on a holiday it was necessary to go outside and expose your face to the first rays of the sun in order to attract good luck and well-being.

On the first day of spring, it was forbidden to trample snow, throw out garbage, wash clothes and pour dirty water. It was believed that such actions could lead to disease and poverty. Also, in order to avoid protracted financial problems, small amounts of money should not be counted.

Another prohibition concerned swearing and profanity. The ancestors believed that Yarilo does not like quarrels and disrespect, and troublemakers expect serious illnesses.

On a holiday, it was not allowed to cut nails after sunset — such an act promised trouble. Women did not do needlework on March 1, because, according to beliefs, embroidered or knitted clothes on this day will quickly become unusable and will not bring joy to the owner.

Folk signs of March 1

On Yaril's day, it was customary to observe nature and draw conclusions about what the weather would be like in the spring months. If March 1 was warm, a cold snap was to be expected soon. People used to say about this: "If from the first days of spring she is wild, not shy, she will deceive, there is nothing to believe." The snowfall on Yarila promised a good harvest. A warm wind heralded a wet summer, while a northerly wind heralded a cold one. If there was a new moon on March 1, it foreshadowed a drought.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the folk traditions and customs of the national holiday href="https://iz.ru/1844761/2025-02-26/kakoi-russkii-prazdnik-segodnia-27-fevralia-kirill-vesnoukazchik-narodnye-primety-pogody-bytovye-i " target="_blank">Kirill Vesnokazchik.