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The mystical holiday of Ivan Kupala from July 6 to July 7: what can be done, prohibitions, omens

Russians were told about the main traditions and signs of Ivan Kupala
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Photo: RIA Novosti/Maxim Bogodvid
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On the night of Monday, July 7, Russia will celebrate the Ivan Kupala holiday, which is rightfully considered one of the most exciting events of the summer. Many rituals and traditions of folk celebrations dating back to pre-Christian times are still popular today. Izvestia tells about how Kupala night was celebrated in Russia, what customs and signs exist on this day today.

The essence of the national holiday Ivan Kupala, date in 2025

Pagan Ivan Kupala is dedicated to one of the most important holidays of the annual cycle — the Day of the Summer Solstice, which marks the beginning of astronomical summer and is reflected in the cultures of many peoples of the world. With the advent of Christianity, the holiday was timed to coincide with the Nativity of John the Baptist. Previously, it was celebrated on June 24 in the old style. With the transition to the Gregorian calendar, its date shifted to the beginning of July.

It is believed that the name "Kupala" is the Slavic version of the name John the Baptist, which in Greek means "bather", "immersion in water". It also reflects the main tradition of the national holiday — swimming in open reservoirs. The Slavs believed that on this night, water, like fire and field herbs, acquires magical properties, contributing to purification and healing from diseases.

The pre-Christian name of Ivan Kupala is unknown, and its traditions have nothing to do with Orthodoxy. Moreover, in Medieval Russia, the rituals of this day were considered demonic and forbidden by the church. On the holiday, Orthodox Christians were instructed to attend divine services and offer prayers to the blemish of John the Baptist, who predicted the coming of the Messiah and later baptized Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan.

How to spend the night on Ivan Kupala in Russia: traditions and superstitions

The traditions of celebrating Ivan Kupala were formed many centuries ago and have not changed over the years, absorbing echoes of pagan and Christian beliefs. According to custom, the peasants went to church in the morning, and afterward they had noisy festivities. Tall bonfires were lit on the hills and on the river banks. They danced around them and jumped over the fire. According to legend, whoever jumps the highest will be happy all year round.

Couples in love were jumping together, holding hands. If they did not let go of their hands, it foreshadowed an early wedding and a strong marriage. In some regions, wagon wheels were fitted to the bonfire, set on fire from a burning fire and rolled around the neighborhood. This ceremony symbolized the movement of the Sun and the change of seasons.

Unmarried girls wove wreaths of wildflowers — daisies, cornflowers, poppies, fern leaves, birch and oak branches. They were used for fortune-telling, as well as as amulets for homes and livestock. Wreaths were placed above the entrance to the house, in the stables, and they were hung on the horns of cows and goats, thereby protecting the animals from diseases and other misfortunes.

Before the sun sinks below the horizon, our ancestors sought to swim in reservoirs. It was believed that all evil spirits came out of the rivers on Ivan Kupala, so it was possible to swim without fear until Elijah's Day (celebrated on August 2). Like fire, water was endowed with special properties on this day. And the power of the two elements contributed to a complete renewal and purification. With the adoption of Christianity, the Kupala fire began to represent the divine light, and water — the sacrament of baptism.

At night, boys and girls went in search of a mysterious fern flower. According to an ancient legend, the flower blooms only for a short moment on Kupala night. He endowed those who found him with the ability to take on any form, understand the language of animals, see treasures underground and other possibilities. However, often the search for a magic flower served as a reason for love affairs.

On Midsummer Night, healers collected medicinal herbs. Like all the nature around them, they were endowed with mystical properties. The mother-and-stepmother was especially valuable. The plant was considered witchcraft. It was most useful for women and women's health. Often, the mother-and-stepmother's leaves and flowers were carried with them to attract love, and were also used to make love potions.

In addition, our ancestors tried not to miss the first dawn coming after Kupala night. The people believed that this sight brought happiness. And with the first rays of the sun, they washed their faces with morning dew. The life-giving moisture made it possible to heal from ailments, prolong beauty and youth.

Folk customs and rituals on Ivan Kupala

Some rituals on the night of Ivan Kupala have survived to this day. The most common is fortune—telling on wreaths. A wreath of wildflowers is allowed to flow down the river and watch what happens. If he quickly sailed away, it means that the girl will get married soon. It is also important in which direction the wreath floated — from that side the betrothed will appear. If the wreath is unwound along the way, you can spend another year as a girl.

The name of the future chosen one was determined by the first letter in the name of a flower or grass that grew in the field. To do this, you had to go out into the field blindfolded and pick a plant. Girls who already had a lover would pick two blades of grass and hang them together in the house. If the blades of grass were attracted to each other, then the relationship will be successful. If they split up, then the couple will not be together.

Before going to bed, the herbs collected on the night of Ivan Kupala were put under the pillow, reading special spells. After that, we didn't talk to anyone and went to bed. In the old days, it was believed that saints or spirits would appear in a dream, who would tell them what to expect in the future and give answers to their questions.

What can and should be done on the Ivan Kupala holiday

Following the tradition, you can go to nature on Ivan Kupala to experience harmony and unity with the world around you. If the weather is warm on this day, it is good to plunge into the river and sit on the shore near the campfire. An alternative to bathing is a sauna. If the conditions do not allow you to spend time by the pond, you should steam well with birch or oak brooms, and then drink herbal tea.

In a number of cities, ethnic festivals and cultural events are held on Midsummer Day, which allow you to join this ancient celebration. So, from July 4 to July 6, you can visit the festival site at the Vasilkovo Lake campsite in the Moscow region, located 120 km from Moscow. Modern versions of the holiday include jumping over bonfires and fire shows, wreath weaving, herbalism workshops, folk dances, songs and round dances.

The program often includes the reconstruction of ancient rituals, including the search for a fern flower. At midnight, some go to the woods on their own to catch the fern at the moment of flowering. However, biologists remind us that the plant is unable to bloom and reproduces by spores.

What not to do on Ivan Kupala from July 6 to July 7

According to beliefs, you can not sleep on a short Kupala night, especially on the ground, so as not to become a victim of evil spirits and not lose your soul. When swimming in a river or lake, you should not swim too far, otherwise the mermaids will drag you under the water. Men should beware of dating attractive unknown women in order to avoid a love spell.

It is not recommended to pick mushrooms and berries on this day — they can be poisonous. It is forbidden to lift found objects, including money, from the ground. They can turn out to be charmed and further cause harm. You should not lend your belongings to anyone: you can give away your well-being and good luck with them.

It is also forbidden to swear, swear and complain about life.: this will attract even more troubles and misfortunes. And quarrels are fraught with major disagreements that can drag on for a long time. In the old days they used to say: Whoever you quarrel with on Kupala, you'll be feuding for another seven years. In addition, you should not cut or dye your hair.

Due to the fact that the holiday falls on St. Peter's Fast (in 2025 it lasts from June 16 to July 11), it is forbidden to eat meat, as well as hot drinks.

Folk signs from 6 to 7 July, on the feast of Ivan Kupala

A lot of holiday events are related to the weather. According to popular observations, if it rains on Midsummer's Day, then hot days will soon come, and the heat will last until the end of summer. The cuckoo sings all night for the cold autumn, and the cricket sings for the mild and snowy winter.

If there is heavy dew on July 7, then there will be a good harvest of cucumbers. A clear starry sky promises a lot of mushrooms. And a thunderstorm is a harbinger of the fact that there will be no nuts in the current season.

Earlier, Izvestia published beautiful greetings and postcards for Ivan Kupala.

Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»

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