Why do they burn the Carnival and what was earlier

Burning Shrovetide is a rite that is familiar today, probably, if not for everyone, for the majority. But not all our contemporaries know that originally this holiday was not Christian.

A few words about the history of Maslenitsa

Why is it that it is decided to eat a lot on Maslenitsa, eat well, have fun, organize people's festivities and burn Maslenitsa?

The custom came from pre-Christian times. Celebrate started a week before the spring solstice. On that day of March, when the day becomes "the chicken foot" longer than the night, the Slavs went to wake up the bearish god Kom. It was the first pancake, the symbol of the sun, that brought him. Usually a bear depicted a guy. He was woken up with burning glimpses, songs and dances. But he woke up only after the most courageous girl sat down on his back. After that, the celebration gained momentum. Families and even whole families of the Slavs went to visit each other, they ate and ate a lot. They needed to properly satiate the body after a hungry winter, so that there would be enough strength for spring agricultural work.

With the advent of Christianity in Russia the archpastors banned any pagan actions and holidays. In the 17th century Maslenitsa was introduced. But finally defeat the ancient Komoditsu failed. Until now, the festival is accompanied by wild festivities, abundant treats, a comic demonstration of strength. The celebration is the burning of the Carnival. Just as in the Komoditsu burnt burning buns, so today they burn a scarecrow, symbolizing the past year. And the main meal is the ancient pagan symbol of the Sun - a pancake.

Carnival in Christianity

For us today, Maslenitsa is the week before Lent. Special services are held in the church, and on the streets there is a full-blown walk. People go to each other to visit, treat and treat themselves.

Pancake week is also considered a family holiday. Earlier in the village, they congratulated the newlyweds who had married last year. For them they were preparing a special entertainment: sledding. For this young should have been properly treated to all the walking. If the treat was meager or not tasty, the grieving hosts dipped their faces into the snow.

Today, everyone probably saw what a ritual called the burning of Maslenitsa represented . The script of the final chord of a bright holiday is known even in cities. However, earlier bonfires burned for a week. They threw old things, broken utensils, tattered clothes. These bonfires served as a symbol of purification and renewal. The events were held on the square, which was decorated with a tall pillar - a symbol of the spring sun.

Today the burning of Maslenitsa (photos are presented in the article) is held in many countries of the world, at least, where there are Russian communities.

Shrovetide rules

Perhaps, for many, the basic rules of the Maslenitsa Week will be a revelation. However, we must remember: a holiday with pagan roots had not only a mystical religious but also a purely functional significance. Hence - many of its rules.

• On Shrovetide you can eat anything but meat and meat products. Myasoed (the so-called period between Christmas and Great Lent) ends on the eve of Maslenitsa, on Sunday.
• The only time in the year, during the Shrovetide week, abundant food should become a form of life. There are proverbs about what there is need as many times as crow crows or wag the tail of a dog. This custom is also rooted in pre-Christian times. Hungry for the winter, people could not be engaged in spring work. They should have gained strength. That's why during the Shrovetide week it is necessary to go to visit, call the guests to yourself.

The more plentiful, more cheerful and satisfying the Maslenitsa will be, our ancestors believed, the richer and more successful the coming year will be.

Maslenitsa week

All days of the festive week have their name and purpose.

• On Monday, the construction of snow fortresses was finished and pancakes were started. The very first was given to the poor so that they could remember the dead. The daughter-in-law was sent to her parents, and then they themselves went to visit the matchmakers. They agreed on where they would walk in the evening. They made a Carnival of straw. The first day of the celebration was called the Meeting.
• On Tuesday, they arranged a sneeze. Parents chose a bride for the groom to marry young immediately after Easter. The day was called "Flirts".
• On Wednesday, my son-in-law went to visit my mother-in-law and feasted on them with pancakes. In Lakomki determined the nature of the groom: an evil or stingy man chose pancakes with salty stuffing. On Wednesday the Narrow Maslenitsa came to an end and Shirokaya began.
• Thursday is the wildest day, which they called: Razgulay.
• On Friday, my mother-in-law went to see my son-in-law for the evening.
• On Saturday they celebrated Zolovkin's gatherings.
• And now the Forgiveness Sunday came. The ancient pictures that have survived to us "Burning the Carnival" show how the revelry gradually subsided.

A stuffed train drove a scarecrow into the field. There he was burned with songs and dances, and ash scattered across the field.

A special divine service was held in the church, and people asked each other for forgiveness. After the Forgiveness Sunday, Lent began.