Unofficial symbols of Russia. Why has the birch become an unofficial symbol of Russia?

Russia is a vast country that can impress not only vast territories, but also diverse nature. Traveling along it, you can think that you've already traveled half the world. Enchanting landscapes, transparent lakes, unusual animals and atmospheric ethnos. All this leaves a deep imprint in the heart of every traveler, who at least once was lucky enough to visit its territory, to see what are unofficial symbols of Russia. Some elements of wildlife and wildlife are so widespread there that they were rightly considered to be unofficial symbols of the Russian Federation.

Birch is a tree revered by Slavs

One of these symbols is birch. This is really a favorite tree of the primordially Russian people. Why is the birch an unofficial symbol of Russia? For a long time poems, songs and various proverbs composed about her. Birch very often appears in Russian fairy tales, so this unofficial symbolism of the Russian land is understandable even to small children of preschool age. That is why, since infancy, the unofficial symbols of Russia for children have become close and native.

And what a significant place this tree occupies in the artistic culture, namely the fine arts! Artists one by one vyingly wrote pictures depicting this delicate and delicate tree. In general, as it was already possible to guess, there is no native tree for the Russian soul, than birch. What is worth only the famous song "What makes the birch so much in Russia!" In folklore, writers often compared a tree with a slender beautiful girl and her romantic nature.

The symbol of eternal spring and life

From time immemorial, such unofficial symbols of Russia as birches were considered patronesses and ancestors of all life. This in many ways affected the daily life of the people. The letter was often written on birch bark, the house was illuminated by nothing more than a birch ray. The juice of this tree was not only very tasty, but also curative. He was loved to drink both small and grown-ups. The amount of vitamins contained in it significantly strengthened immunity and health. Well, what about without a Russian bath? Without it, Russia can not be imagined. And they went there with birch brooms, which were considered to be the best for all recreational purposes.

Why has the birch become an unofficial symbol of Russia?

If we talk about ancient traditions, it can be noted that the celebration of various holidays in Russia-Mother was not without the participation of this elegant tree. For example, Russians celebrate the New Year in winter, and for this purpose they are most like evergreen spruce, but earlier the calendar year for the Slavs did not begin at all in the winter, but in the spring, so the tree was corresponding - the birch. Just during this period, the day became significantly longer, and people after the winter with new forces started agricultural work and thanked the unofficial symbols of Russia in the form of trees.

The Old Slavonic name migrated to the harmonious Ukrainian language

Approximately in this spring time, when everything came to life, the birch was also blossoming. It is noteworthy that the ancient Russian name of one of the spring months - berezozol - is also inextricably linked with the flowering of this symbolic plant. After the XV century, the month was renamed in March, and the old name migrated to the neighboring Ukrainian language (which also has Slavic roots), and the month began to be called "birch". The unofficial symbols of Russia - birches - are especially beautiful at this time of the year. They absorbed all the freshness and freshness of the spring months. The hot summer has not yet come, and they did not have time to become covered with dust, so they stand near the road - green and romantic unofficial national symbols of Russia.

Tree as the patron of all the girls

One of the ancient traditions says that for a long time the Slavs believed in the existence of various mythical creatures, such as water, mermaids and spirits. To protect themselves from their influence, they worshiped the goddess Beregin, who, they believed, was the progenitor of all life in Russia (or Earth). And they worshiped it exactly in the form of a birch tree, which even then was considered a sacred tree. During the next such celebration, the tree was dressed in a traditional women's outfit and drove amicably round the night round the noisy dances. The girls especially cherished the tree as a symbol of women's beauty and a successful share. They talked to her, sang songs, washed themselves with birch sap, so that they had eternal beauty and health. In general, the tree symbolized happiness and well-being. Probably, for these numerous reasons the birch has always been associated with the Russians precisely with the Motherland. Enamored couples in Russian villages often appointed their dates under the birch tree.

However, its healing properties are really impressive. And it's not about praying the birch tree and washing with birch sap, everything is much more practical and mundane.

Widely used in everyday life and medical purposes

Healers and doctors throughout history have long used birch bark, its leaves and kidneys for medical purposes. It was the preparation of various medicinal ointments and tinctures. Probably, it is for this reason that the birch was so appreciated by the Slavs. A beautiful healing tree became an unofficial symbol of an immense and free country called Russia.

By right can be called a symbol of Russia

Cold winter winters, when the blizzard was howling outside the windows, the owner of the house was slowly heading to the passage to collect a bunch of dried birch logs. It is noteworthy that even today they are recognized and are considered the best, if it is a question of heating a stove. They burn for a long time, give off a lot of heat and leave behind a little ash. It is difficult to imagine what kind of wood can compete with birch in these unique properties. Indeed, it has greatly helped and helps people to this day, so we can confidently say that the birch deserved to be called the symbol of Russia.

It's nice to realize that the popularity of the tree was not only among the Slavs. To date, the modern world is still using it in a variety of ways. Although birch is in many countries, only Russia was able to really appreciate it and put into it a soul that is so clearly visible in folk culture and creativity. One can say with confidence that even after decades this elegant tree will not lose its value in the eyes of the Russian people. Birches will still be loved. They will be sung in songs and poems, and great artists will once again take up the brush to convey to connoisseurs all the beauty that unofficial symbols of Russia conceal in themselves.