Date of carnival, features of celebration, history and traditions

Winter – magical time of year, but too cold. As well tired each morning to feel the frosty air, see the snow, the frost, the sleeping nature. I want the spring sun, the first green, the birds singing! Our ancestors believed that the spring is hard to beat the winter, to get rid of it. They helped light and warmth to come into its own, and for that needed holiday - Mardi Gras. Date of celebration falls on the week before lent. The history of this week of celebrations is interesting and unusual.

The Sun

Its roots Carnival took among the pagans of our ancient ancestors. They wanted to help the young spring to overcome the old cold winter. This was arranged a cheerful festivities, which lasted exactly seven days. This number was considered magical! People praised Yarily-the sun God and fertility. They represented him as a young man who was raised up once a year and brought warmth, giving a good harvest.

But over the centuries everything has changed, the Rus adopted Orthodoxy, and from our ancestors we got a Carnival. The date is very suitable – the week before lent, you can eat Goodies and a calm mind to begin fasting!

Simple name

The name of the holiday chosen by chance. To cajole, to coax the spring, so she quickly gave the people long-awaited warmth. But this is only one version. From other sources we know: the name comes from the fact that people baked stacks of pancakes and relish spiced butter on it, ate in large quantities. After the date of the carnival close to post close, and the week before it is impossible to eat meat. People saturated dairy products, because pancakes with sour cream – it's delicious. During these seven days it was possible to gain weight a few pounds. Because pancakes every house lay on the table high pyramids! Preparing all kinds of jam, were served on the table honey. But in addition to pancakes all week Housewives cook delicious cakes, so that the Orthodox people had plenty to eat before lent, helped him in this Carnival. Date of celebration varies every year, but usually falls in the month of March.

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Fun

Of Course, this holiday was not only about gluttony. On the place for folk festivals, fights, mini-performances, concerts. People had a lot of fun, attracting spring. Tradition has not sunk into oblivion, and improved, civilize. The date of the carnival is now known to every schoolboy, because children look forward to this day to celebrate it with friends. In 2016, the party lasted from 7 to 13 March. Parents prepare stacks of pancakes, and they began eating them in class for a Cup of tea! Such holidays are to children only benefit. Because it rallies the team, gives the opportunity to learn about the lives of ancestors. The class teacher must tell the boys about the origin of the holiday and its traditions. The younger generation should know why and when Carnival is celebrated in Russia. The date of the holiday is announced in advance so everyone has time to prepare for the celebration.

Sunshine

Among the Gentiles the circle was considered the most auspicious sign. So women bake round cakes made of flour and water, later they turned into lace crepes in milk. Believed that the more pancakes you eat, the faster will come the long-awaited spring. People worshipped the circle, it symbolized prosperity, abundance, wealth.

The Worship of the sun – one of the most important pagan ritual celebrations. Young people made a wooden circle, and tied to him with bright ribbon flowers. It was attached to a long pole, and made a procession through the village. Then the circle was set up in the square and drove around it dances, paying homage to the sun.

Travel around the village on horseback was also a favorite pastime in those early years. Had to do seven laps to bring fertility and warmth, bring in the spring. All with impatience waited, when will come nearer the date of the carnival. People like celebration, fun, festivities until the morning hours and delicious food.

Disservice

All winter long the bear sleeps in a cozy den, but only smelling the scent of spring, comes out. People were attracted to the sun and heat with this forest animal. Of course, a live bear in the streets no one drove. One of the tallest and largest men of the settlement were dressed up in a bearskin. Here he is with a fun crowd and walked the streets, entertaining passers-by. Dancing bear until you drop, showing everyone that spring has come, he woke up and glad that the date of carnival.

Joy in people from such a spectacle was not the limit. They imitated the dance awakened the bear treated him with delicious food, danced with a clumsy friend.

Manage

The Main attribute of this playful holiday – stuffed. The final and the most striking moment – burning straw effigies at the stake. Of straw produced something similar to a silhouette of a woman, was dressed up in his old clothes, wrapped in a bright scarf, painted eyes, cheeks, lips, nose. From the very first day of Maslenitsa is a Scarecrow everywhere carried on a long stick. It represented the holiday, winter, cold. Therefore, traditionally the last day of the festivities it had to burn. How much joy it brought the children, they danced around the fire, laughed and rejoiced that winter on the wholeyear left them.

This tradition has been preserved until now. In each city on the area of burning the effigy of Maslenitsa, and continue the fun. Be sure to visit this event, get a lot of new experiences and emotions.

Mini calendar

Everyone in our country knows how to set the date for the carnival. People prepare for this celebration, because it lasts for a week. And no chaos in these days no, everything must be on schedule:

• Monday – opens the festive week, this day it is not heavy, but quite the contrary. People bake the first pancake and distribute to the poor, that they remembered the dead. Meanwhile, the men finished preparing for the holiday, install booths, tents, swings, benches and tables.
• Tuesday – the second day of the feast called the start of merriment. By evening, you can enjoy riding a roller coaster. All dragging a huge sleigh and noisy vortex slipping down ice slides. Everywhere is laughter, shouts of delight, all rosy and happy.
• Wednesday – the “delicious” day of carnival – Gourmet. Mother-in-law invited to pancakes with fragrant tea.

The Battle

Here and passed half of Maslenitsa. Now the real fun begins:

• Thursday – the most fun and funny day – Wide Orgy. On the streets of entertainment: dances, songs, fights, competitions, playing on the swing and horse riding.
• Friday – called the day Mother-in-law parties. Now the mother-in-law needs to pay a return visit, brother-in-law waiting for her at the dinner table with open arms.
• Saturday – the day came for the festivities the girls – Zolovkina gatherings. Daughter-in-law went to visit his sisters-in-law, the girls were emotional conversations, having fun and gossiping. The main tradition of this day – daughter-in-law needs to give a good gift to the sister of her husband.
• Sunday – the last day, the most hilarious and at the same time sad. I do not want to stop a series of these wonderful holidays. This day is called forgiveness Sunday. People should ask each other for forgiveness, even the worst enemies of this day can live forever. After the adoption of the Orthodox faith, this day was sure to come to the temple. There you can ask forgiveness even from strangers, in response to hearing the phrase “God will forgive you!”

Noisy week

Have Fun all week, not so easy. After all, people managed not only to eat pancakes and dance, they had to perform their work duties at home. After a noisy and busy week, people were trying to relax, the streets were quiet and calm. Date of carnival and Easter are not next to date in the Orthodox calendar. Shrove Tuesday, though recognized holiday, but the Christian does not equate. The Church does not forbid the noisy festivities, but does not encourage them. This holiday is originally pagan!

Christianity – religion of tolerance. Therefore, Maslenitsa is saved, but not as a sacred holiday, but the week of rest. After all, in ancient times, these days spent all kinds of pagan rites revived the earth after its winter slumber and even sacrificed. People believed that the earth needs to drink forces to harvest was plentiful, good. At that time, it was the only source of food. The people worshiped the earth, many gods.

Celebrate this joyous holiday, have fun from the heart. Let the children know more about this day, because information and knowledge are not redundant. During the Maslenitsa week decided to go to visit relatives and friends, to hold a magnificent feast. The abundance of dairy products will benefit the body. Dance, sing, eat pancakes and stroll from the heart!