The most unique mixture of Christian and pagan traditions is the beautiful and mystical holiday of Ivan Kupala. Many centuries ago, the ancient Slavs honored Kupala on the night of the seventh of July. This is the god of fertility and a powerful member of the pagan pantheon. If we touch on Christian traditions, then on the same night mark the day of John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus Christ. Having merged together, these two holidays made the night on Ivan Kupala simply unforgettable. This is not only a bright walk, but also a spiritual cleansing.
There are interesting traditions of Kupala festivities. So, on the feast of Ivan Kupala, it is customary to pour water, purifying yourself in this way, because according to legend, it is a symbol of spiritual rebirth. It is believed that Kupala water has healing properties, as well as Epiphany. This tradition is very popular with both adults and children, because everyone does not mind refreshing themselves with water in the summer heat. You can clean it in the rivers, and in the lakes, and even in the morning dew, but for this you have to get up early. In extreme cases, use tap water. On a festive mystic night, unusual parties with an ethnic bias are organized in the clubs; obligatory dousing or foam party are held here.
Another tradition that is accompanied by the feast of Ivan Kupala (a rather dangerous occupation, by the way) is jumping over a fire. Despite the fact that fire and water are as opposite as paganism and Christianity, on this holiday both elements are intertwined. If in the previous version a ritual of purification with water was performed, then here flame is used for this. It is believed that in this way you can find your soul mate. So, in the old days it was believed that a guy and a girl who jumped over the fire without raising their hands would live a long and happy life together. So, this is a wonderful, albeit rather extreme, version of the search for your soulmate. If you look at the time of Ancient Russia, then jumping over a fire not with his beloved was considered almost treason. In the modern world, kupala festivals and festivals are always accompanied by jumping over a bonfire.
On the holiday of Ivan Kupala, young girls traditionally made ritual jewelry - beautiful wreaths of herbs and flowers, which were floated in the evening. Following the guys jumped into the water to catch a wreath. Sometimes they distributed in advance who should catch which wreath so that there would be no misunderstandings. This beautiful tradition still exists. Residents of small towns and villages especially like it.
A night on Ivan Kupala is a holiday when, according to legend, a fern blooms. This happens at exactly twelve in the morning. If you believe the legend, the fern blooms where hidden untold wealth. And although science has proved that fern does not bloom at all, people still go in search of rare flora. This is one of the best entertainment on a festive night.
A very mystical legend still exists. She says that you can’t sleep on the night of Ivan Kupala. Otherwise, you may be bewitched by a witch or evil spirit, in addition, you can become a victim of a mermaid or a water spirit. Such a legend gave the holiday mysticism and served as an excellent justification for festivities until the very morning. Pagans considered this holiday a day of love. Therefore, on the day when the holiday of Ivan Kupala began, couples in love paid each other maximum attention.
There is some evidence that the ancient Slavs celebrated Ivan Kupala Day in June, when it was the shortest night of the whole year. This is a very beautiful and mysterious holiday, which is surrounded by mysticism, legends and beautiful traditions. Since ancient times, the Slavs considered this holiday a holiday of the Sun. On this day, people destroyed stuffed animals, put wreaths of herbs on their heads and tied with belts of flowers.