There are holidays that are not blurred by time. They are passed down from generation to generation, preserving their primacy. We with genuine interest observe some traditions in the childhood, sometimes we become their participants. Growing up, we do not imagine ourselves cut off from them. This inconspicuous fusion of the spiritual and the earth makes us much kinder. One of such celebrations is the Slavonic festival of the Lark.
The history of the festival Larks
From how the colors change outside the window, we feel the change of the season, gratefully accept the generous gifts of nature, often reflecting our mood in the songs. If you ask people what the Lark Festival means and how many people celebrate it in Russia, do not be surprised if some of them think about it. Having pagan roots, it is so multifaceted that each of us understands it in its own way.
The date of March 22 is associated with the arrival of many in spring. Since ancient times it is believed that on this day spring meets with winter, as the day is equal to the night, which will gradually become shorter. The ancient Slavs perceived the arrival of spring, as their support in the fight against evil spirits. Magical significance was the disappearance of the Pleiades from the night sky. Astronomical changes associated with the souls of people who visit their house in the form of birds on the day of the equinox, which was also a memorial.
Christians commemorate this holiday in memory of the forty martyrs who, being warriors-Christians with faith in their souls, perished in Sivastia, now in Turkey . Having refused the sacrifice to the pagan gods, they were condemned by the Romans to a brutal death in the icy water of the lake. A warm bath gave them life, but at the same time marked the rejection of Christ. The persistence of the people struck the Romans so much that they were forbidden to collect bones after burning. Among the Sivastian martyrs mark the name of the Roman Aglaya, who, inspired by the power of the spirit of Christians, went over to their side. Their remains were collected and buried by the bishop, and the names are permanently imprinted in the church book.
How do celebrate the Festival of the Lark Slavs?
The festival of the Lark is called magpies in another way. The meaning of all traditions is to spring up the spring. Not one century from grandfather's great-grandfather is passed on to the new generation of the word "spring". The first spring bird, which returns to its native land, is considered to be a lark. It is no accident mistresses try to create birds for the holiday in the form of baking. That they turned out beautiful, prepare the dough on rye flour, trying to spread their wings and fashion the crests. This is how the image of the larks soaring in the sky is created. A bird's nest was prepared for the birds, in which they were planted and put on the windowsill.
Most of all on this day, children are happy, because it has long been a children's holiday in those villages where it is customary to celebrate.
While the children were having fun, adults in the weather tried to predict what the coming year would be like or whether they were doing fortune telling, for which they put a coin in one of the birds. Whoever gets it will be the happiest. There is also a beautiful custom for the coming of spring to decorate trees. The Russian holiday of the Lark is filled with many signs. For example, frosty weather predicted that snow and forty frosts should be expected.