What is absolutely forbidden to do on December 17 according to popular beliefs

December 17 combined everyday observations, winter realities and spiritual traditions in the national calendar. Barbarian Day symbolized the winter transition, family well-being and feminine wisdom, and observing prohibitions and rules helped protect the home and loved ones. Today, the date continues to arouse interest, reminding of the connection between the past and the present, taking care of the house and paying attention to others. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

The value of the date December 17th in the national calendar

December 17 was celebrated in the national calendar as Barbarian Day — the memory of St. Barbara of Iliopolis, the patroness of women, the hearth and motherhood. This day was also called "Barbarian frosts", because it was believed that it was from the middle of December that the real winter cold, snowstorms and frosts came.

Folk tradition associated the date with the feminine sphere: taking care of the house, raising children and maintaining family well-being. The day served as a reminder of the importance of preserving the hearth, peace and harmony in the house, as well as attention to relatives and neighbors.

The main prohibitions and restrictions

On Barbarian Day, there were strict prohibitions aimed at protecting the family and home. People were not advised to go on long trips or walks after sunset, so as not to be exposed to danger in the cold and in the dark. Quarrels, swearing, and insults were considered especially dangerous, and violating these norms could lead to trouble for the whole family.

Hard physical work, handicrafts, washing and spinning were also prohibited, as it was believed that any "labor efforts" could bring misfortune. At the same time, it was not recommended to be lazy, but active, hasty actions were considered undesirable. Special attention was paid to safety: working with sharp objects and utensils could lead to accidents.

Why did these bans appear?

The roots of these limitations are explained by a combination of practical and spiritual reasons. Long-distance travel and active activities in winter carry a real danger due to the cold and darkness, hard work can harm the health of women, who were most vulnerable at this time of the year.

The restrictions on quarrels and negative words were explained by the desire to preserve domestic well-being and protect the family, especially during the winter holidays, when it was believed that otherworldly forces were especially active. These prohibitions reflected the desire of the ancestors to combine common sense with magical ideas, protecting the home and family from the dangers of winter.

What is recommended to do on this day

Despite the prohibitions, there were recommendations for action. Women were supposed to pay attention to the house, clean, cook, and take care of family and children. Needlework, embroidery, and knitting were considered beneficial activities that gave products a special "strong" energy and protected the home.

Prayer services to St. Barbara asked for health, family protection, and well-being, and helping those in need, especially children, was considered beneficial. The household prepared sweets, baked gingerbread and treated pets, believing that this brings good luck and protection.

Omens for December 17th and their interpretation

Folk signs on December 17th were closely related to nature and the weather. The clear daytime sky foreshadowed a frosty evening, and the branches of fir trees bent to the ground — a snowfall or a blizzard.

The smoke from the chimney, rising straight up, meant frost, and spreading on the ground — a thaw. A scarlet sunset heralded a frosty day, and clouds at sunset indicated snow. Warm, mild weather was considered favorable for the future flax harvest, and idleness, laziness and bad words could bring quarrels, illnesses and failures for the whole coming year.