Russian Maslenitsa is a cheerful folk festival at the junction of winter and spring. This festival itself was inherited from our pagan ancestors, who also dressed up an effigy symbolizing winter, and then set it on fire. It so happens that nowadays many people confuse Maslenitsa with Cheese Week before Lent: historically it turned out that after that the pagan holiday lost its original meaning, but coincided in time with the eve of Lent.

The history of the origin of the name of the holiday

Why is Maslenitsa called Maslenitsa? This is a very interesting question, which was studied at one time by various etymological scientists. Several legends associated with the birth of this name have survived to this day.

One version of why Maslenitsa is called Maslenitsa is closely related to the long-standing Russian tradition of baking pancakes. Tired of winter, cold and snow, people thus tried to attract the mercy of the gentle sun and persuade it to better warm the frozen Russian land. For this purpose, pancakes were prepared, which in this case acted as a symbol of the luminary. In addition, in Russian villages it was customary to carry out various actions and rituals, one way or another connected with the circle: for example, people brightly decorated a cart wheel and carried it along the street on a pole, rode around the village several times on horseback and led traditional round dances. Our ancestors were sure that such actions “cajoled” the Sun, that is, they helped to appease it. This is where the name of one of the most fun and bright holidays in Slavic culture comes from.

There is another opinion regarding why Maslenitsa is called Maslenitsa. According to this version, the holiday was so named because, according to Orthodox tradition, this week meat is already eliminated from the diet, and dairy products are still allowed. That's why people bake butter pancakes. By the way, it is for this same reason that over time Maslenitsa began to be called

If you believe other legends, then the answer to the question of why Maslenitsa is called Maslenitsa takes us far, far to the North, and the father of this holiday is Frost. According to legend, in the midst of the saddest and harshest time of the year, winter, a man saw Maslenitsa hiding between giant snowdrifts, and called her to help people with her warmth, cheer and warm them. And she came to the call, but she did not come as a fragile girl who was hiding in the middle of a snowy forest from a person, but as a beautiful woman with cheeks rosy and greasy from oil, an insidious sparkle in her eyes and a loud laugh. She managed to make many people completely forget about winter for a week, she was so infectiously having fun and dancing. And subsequently it was in her honor that the holiday received its name.

How was Maslenitsa week?

The celebration of Maslenitsa, as you know, lasted a week. Moreover, each day of these seven has its own name, indicating what you need to do on that day. Of course, in modern world It is quite difficult to observe all the customs and rituals of the ancient holiday, because now Maslenitsa has finally lost its festive status and turned into an ordinary one. However, it will still be very interesting to learn about ancient traditions and rituals. During the days of Maslenitsa, it was everyone’s duty to help drive away winter and awaken sleeping nature.

Day 1. Monday. "Meeting"

From this day Maslenitsa began. The history and traditions of the celebration are interesting in themselves. Usually on this day people set up and rolled out ice slides. People believed that the longer the sleigh or sled rolled, the louder the laughter rang over the hill, the richer the harvest would be in the fall, the longer the flax would grow. And in order for plants to grow faster, according to popular belief, one should ride on a swing, and the higher the better. In addition, on Monday, people chose a place on a hillock where they would install a Maslenitsa doll.

Day 2. Tuesday. "Flirting"

All funny Games our ancestors began on Tuesday: on this day they built booths, rode horses, and visited each other. Traditionally, people were treated to delicious pancakes for fun and amusement.

Day 3. Wednesday. "Gourmand"

If the history of the Maslenitsa holiday is gradually forgotten, then this particular day, “Gourmand”, is well known and remembered even in the 21st century. The name of this day speaks for itself: on Wednesday, the hostesses acted according to old saying: “What is in the oven - everything is on the table swords!” And in the main place among the huge abundance of dishes, of course, there were pancakes. There was a custom according to which the first pancake should be given to a random passer-by to remember the deceased, the second to the mother, the third to the father, the next three to brothers and sisters, and the seventh usually went to the smallest member of the family.

Day 4. Thursday. "Go for a Walk"

“Razgulyay” is the fourth day of Maslenitsa celebration. On Thursday, people organized traditional horse riding “in the direction of the sun” (that is, in a clockwise direction around the village) - of course, to help the heavenly body drive away winter completely. And the main “male” task was considered to be the defense or capture of the “snow town”. The people were divided into two teams, with one taking the position of spring, and the second desperately “defending” winter. In the end, spring was sure to win.

Day 5. Friday. "Mother-in-Law's Evenings"

Meanwhile, Maslenitsa continued. On Friday, the son-in-law went to his mother-in-law, and she, in turn, treated the son-in-law to delicious hot pancakes. A miniature amulet doll, the so-called “home Maslenitsa”, was always placed in the window. It should be turned over three times, saying “Turn away from evil, turn to goodness.”

Day 6. Saturday. "Sister-in-Law's Gatherings"

“Sister-in-law’s gatherings,” as well as “Gourmand,” are known to this day. On this day, it was customary to visit all relatives and treat themselves to pancakes.

Day 7. Sunday. "Forgiveness Day"

The final day of the celebration is “Forgiveness Sunday,” when one should ask family, friends and acquaintances for forgiveness for the grievances caused. After this, there was a farewell to Maslenitsa, with cheerful dances and songs.

This is how our ancestors lived it. At all times, people tried to celebrate it as richly, satisfyingly and cheerfully as possible, because it was believed that if Maslenitsa was celebrated this way, then the whole next year would be just as prosperous and well-fed. There was even a belief that not having fun during Maslenitsa was not good; it meant “living in bitter grief and ending your life badly.” In general, the history of the Maslenitsa holiday is very interesting, and all the traditions associated with it cannot be fit into one article.

"Pancake Traditions"

Finally, we’ll tell you a few more interesting facts about the main attribute of the holiday - pancakes. Our ancestors believed that together with Maslenitsa pancakes, the warmth and power of the Sun itself was transmitted to them. Each housewife tried with all her might “not to be embarrassed” and to treat her guests abundantly and tasty. Interestingly, each had their own “secret” recipe for making pancakes, passed down exclusively through the female line.

Real Russian pancakes were made from buckwheat flour, thanks to which they acquired a special fluffiness and sour taste. Many people added semolina or millet porridge, apples, potatoes, and cream to them. Of course, during Maslenitsa you could buy pancakes on every corner, and in eateries and taverns they were traditionally served with sour cream, whipped cream, honey and jam, and sometimes with caviar, sprat, herring or mushrooms. Pancakes were usually washed down with milk or tea; the so-called sbiten was held in special esteem - delicious drink from water, spices and honey.

The history of Maslenitsa goes back far into the past, and the holiday itself symbolizes the farewell (funeral) of winter and the anticipation of the arrival of spring.

The ancient Slavic holiday is also called Kolodiy, Cheese Week, Pancake Day. Each year it occurs at a different time depending on what date Easter falls on. In the same year, Maslenitsa lasts 7 days (February 12 to 18). Where does this holiday begin? What are Maslenitsa customs and traditions? Let's find out.

The history of the origin of the holiday goes back to those distant times when the Slavs were still pagans.

Then the meaning of Maslenitsa was to remember those who are no longer with us. And the burning of Maslenitsa is its funeral. The signature dish of the holiday - pancakes - is a funeral treat.

But over time, the sad notes of the holiday went away, because the Russian people are famous for their broad soul and love for fun and relaxation, so the History of Maslenitsa in Rus' is amazing, because the holiday becomes cheerful and joyful.

But the tradition of baking fluffy pancakes with different fillings remains, this is the main dish of the holiday, and its round shape they symbolize the sun. It's surprising that the pancakes that are baked during the holiday week turn out incredibly tasty.

This beloved delicacy appeared in Rus' more than a thousand years ago. Every housewife has her own recipe for making pancakes. Used for baking pancakes different kinds flour (corn, wheat, buckwheat, oatmeal), and the fillings could be very diverse: caviar, vegetables, sour cream, fish, butter, honey, jam.

The first baked pancake, according to Maslenitsa customs in Rus', was placed on the windowsill for repose or given to a beggar, thus remembering all the departed.

In addition to pancakes, the recipes of which have changed significantly over the years, fist fights, sleigh and horse-drawn rides and other entertainment events were added to this custom.

The unusualness of Maslenitsa rituals and traditions is that they end the winter holidays and open the spring holidays.

Maslenitsa will last a whole week, and it ends with the beginning of Lent, which will last until Easter. It is also surprising that every day of this week is dedicated to certain rituals. Throughout the week, the life of “Kolodka” passed, from birth to mourning after death. The culmination of Maslenitsa, a real holiday, was Sunday. On this day, it has long been customary to ask everyone for forgiveness for offenses, as well as to see off this bright and cheerful holiday.

Maslenitsa celebration traditions and customs

At a time when there was no Christianity in Rus', people walked happily for two whole weeks. Now the celebration has been reduced to one.

Preparations for the festivities began in advance, on Saturday of the previous week. And on the Sunday before Maslenitsa week in Russia, it was traditional to visit relatives or invite them to visit.

In the old days, in addition to pancakes, pies and pancakes were placed on the table, with a variety of fillings.

The traditions of Maslenitsa in Russia brought together many people for festivities. It was real fun with songs, dances, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. The celebrations took place with the participation of mummers.

Maslenitsa rituals have been preserved to this day. As before, the main one was the burning of effigy. Thus farewelled winter and welcomed spring.

When Christianity was adopted in Rus', the church did not prohibit the holiday and the traditions of its celebration.

What is the meaning of each day of the holiday?

As already mentioned, Maslenitsa lasts a whole week and each day has its own meaning. Of course, not all rituals of the holiday are observed today, but it will be interesting to know the traditions of Maslenitsa by day of the week.

Folk festivities begin on Monday, and their main symbol is a block (wooden log) and, of course, pancakes.

Each day of the week has certain traditions:

• Monday (meeting) . On this day, it is customary to visit people and organize celebrations. On this day, delicious and aromatic pancakes begin to be baked. The first pancake had to be given to a beggar so that he would remember the souls of deceased relatives.
• Tuesday . The traditions of celebrating Maslenitsa on this day are fun, endless fun. On Tuesday, the boys were expecting their brides, and the girls were expecting their betrothed. The mummers walked around the courtyards, allowing people to tie a ribbon to a broom, and accepted payment for this in the form of pancakes. By tying a ribbon, people “gave away” illness and failure.
• Wednesday . According to tradition, on this day, sons-in-law went to visit their mothers-in-law, where all relatives and friends gathered, and a table with pancakes was set.
• Thursday. Families gathered for competitions. Also on this day you can’t spin or sew.
• Friday . This day is the “answer” to Wednesday. Now it was time for the sons-in-law to treat their mothers-in-law, after which they had to be taken for a ride through the streets. Here the son-in-law could show his attitude towards his mother-in-law. If she is kind, she drove along a flat and straight road, if she was grumpy and angry, she drove along a winding road with potholes.
• Saturday . The meaning of this day is that daughters-in-law invited their husband's sisters to visit. “Sisters-in-law’s” get-togethers consisted of pancakes, entertainment, and at the end the sisters-in-law received a gift.
• Resurrection . This day has always been celebrated most vividly. Various fun, games, mass celebrations. This is how they said goodbye to Maslenitsa, and also asked forgiveness from loved ones for grievances.

Visiting guests is a mandatory tradition of Maslenitsa. This is a week that cannot be spent at home, ignoring festivities and fun. The traditions of Maslenitsa, like any other holiday, prohibit getting angry and swearing; preparations are underway for Lent.

Maslenitsa is one of the most joyful and long-awaited holidays of the year, the celebration of which lasts seven days. At this time, people have fun, go to visit, have parties and eat pancakes. Maslenitsa in 2018 will begin on February 12, and its end date will be February 18.

Pancake week is a national celebration dedicated to welcoming spring. Before entering Lent, people say goodbye to winter, enjoy the warm spring days, and, of course, bake delicious pancakes.

Maslenitsa: traditions and customs

There are several names for this holiday:

• meat-empty Maslenitsa is called because during the celebration people refrain from eating meat;
• cheese - because they eat a lot of cheese this week;
• Maslenitsa - because they consume a large number of oils

Many people anxiously await the onset of Maslenitsa, the traditions of celebrating which go back deep into our history. Today, as in old times, this holiday is celebrated on a grand scale, with chants, dances and competitions.

The most popular entertainments that used to be held in villages were:

• fist fights;
• eating pancakes for a while;
• sledding;
• climbing a pole for a prize;
• games with a bear;
• burning an effigy;
• swimming in ice holes.

The main treat, both before and now, are pancakes, which can have different fillings. They are baked every day in large quantities.

Our ancestors believed that those who do not have fun on Maslenitsa will live the coming year poorly and joylessly.

Maslenitsa: what can and cannot be done?

1. You should not eat meat on Maslenitsa. Allowed to eat fish and dairy products. Pancakes should be the main dish on the table in every home.
2. On Maslenitsa you need to eat often and a lot. Therefore, it is customary to invite guests and not skimp on treats, as well as to visit yourself.

Maslenitsa: the history of the holiday

In fact, Maslenitsa is a pagan holiday, which was changed over time to fit the “format” Orthodox Church. In pre-Christian Rus', the celebration was called “Farewell to Winter.”

Our ancestors revered the sun as a god. And with the onset of the first days of spring, we were glad that the sun was beginning to warm the earth. That’s why the tradition of baking round flatbreads, shaped like the sun, arose. It was believed that by eating such a dish, a person would receive a piece sunlight and warmth. Over time, flatbreads were replaced by pancakes.

Maslenitsa: celebration traditions

In the first three days of the holiday, active preparations for the celebration took place:

• they brought wood for the fire;
• decorated the huts;
• built mountains.

The main celebration took place from Thursday to Sunday. People came into the house to enjoy pancakes and drink hot tea.

In some villages, young people went from house to house with tambourines, horns, and balalaikas, singing carols. City residents took part in festive festivities:

• dressed in their best clothes;
• went to theater performances;
• We visited booths to watch buffoons and have fun with the bear.

The main entertainment was children and youth sliding down ice slides, which they tried to decorate with lanterns and flags. Used for riding:

• matting;
• sled;
• skates;
• skins;
• ice cubes;
• wooden troughs.

Another fun event was the capture of the ice fortress. The guys built a snowy town with gates, put guards there, and then went on the attack: they broke into the gates and climbed the walls. The besieged defended themselves as best they could: they used snowballs, brooms and whips.

On Maslenitsa, boys and young men showed their agility in fist fights. Residents of two villages, landowners and monastery peasants, residents of a large village living at opposite ends could take part in the battles.

We seriously prepared for the battle:

• steamed in the baths;
• ate heartily;
• turned to the sorcerers with a request to give a special spell for victory.

Features of the ritual of burning an effigy of winter on Maslenitsa

Just as many years ago, today the culmination of Maslenitsa is considered to be the burning of an effigy. This action symbolizes the onset of spring and the end of winter. The burning is preceded by games, round dances, songs and dances, accompanied by refreshments.

As a scarecrow to be sacrificed, they made a large funny and at the same time scary doll, personifying Maslenitsa. They made a doll from rags and straw. After which she was dressed up in women's clothing and left on the main street of the village during Maslenitsa week. And on Sunday they were solemnly carried outside the village. There the effigy was burned, drowned in an ice hole, or torn into pieces, and the straw that remained from it was scattered across the field.

The ritual burning of the doll had a deep meaning: destroying the symbol of winter is necessary to resurrect its power in the spring.

Maslenitsa: the meaning of every day

The holiday is celebrated from Monday to Sunday. During Shrovetide Week, it is customary to spend each day in your own way, observing the traditions of our ancestors:

1. Monday called “Meeting of Maslenitsa”. On this day they start baking pancakes. It is customary to give the first pancake to the poor and needy people. On Monday, our ancestors prepared a scarecrow, dressed it in rags and displayed it on the main street of the village. It was on public display until Sunday.
2. Tuesday nicknamed "Zigrysh". It was dedicated to youth. On this day, folk festivities were organized: sleigh rides, ice slides, and carousels.
3. Wednesday- “Gourmand.” On this day, guests (friends, relatives, neighbors) were invited to the house. They were treated to pancakes, honey gingerbread and pies. Also on Wednesday, it was customary to treat your sons-in-law with pancakes, hence the expression: “ My son-in-law has come, where can I get sour cream?" Horse racing and fist fights were also held on this day.
4. Thursday popularly nicknamed "Razgulay". From this day begins Broad Maslenitsa, which is accompanied by snowball fights, sledding, cheerful round dances and chants.
5. Friday nicknamed “Mother-in-law’s Evening” because on this day the sons-in-law invited the mother-in-law to their house and treated them to delicious pancakes.
6. Saturday- “Sister-in-law’s gatherings.” The daughters-in-law invited their husband's sisters to their house, talked with them, treated them to pancakes and gave them gifts.
7. Sunday- the apotheosis of Maslenitsa. This day was called " Forgiveness Sunday" On Sunday we said goodbye to winter, said goodbye to Maslenitsa and symbolically burned its effigy. On this day, it is customary to ask friends and family for forgiveness for the grievances that have accumulated over the year.

Proverbs and sayings for Maslenitsa

Video: history and traditions of the Maslenitsa holiday

Before Maslenitsa, you need to observe certain rituals that are well-established among the Russian people. Basically, holidays in Rus' are used to being celebrated loudly and on a grand scale; the customs of the Slavs have always been distinguished by their diversity and originality. Preparing for Maslenitsa is no less fun and exciting than the celebration itself.

Short description

Maslenitsa is one of the most famous and fun holidays in Orthodox calendar rooted in the pagan past Ancient Rus'. Hence the contradiction in the perception of this celebration different people. For some, this is a time of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation, and for others - revelry and fun. For the same reason, Maslenitsa simultaneously means goodbye to winter and preparation for Lent. This is a time of folk festivals, songs and dances before a long period of abstinence.

The holiday lasts one week and always begins on Sunday. The dates of Maslenitsa change every year. To find out when an event will occur in each specific year, you need to count back 56 days from the date of Easter. This will be the first day of Maslenitsa. It usually falls at the beginning of March or the end of February.

According to the Orthodox calendar, Maslenitsa is considered a meat and cheese festival. To some extent, it is like the beginning or preparation for Lent, which lasts 7 weeks and ends with the onset of the bright holiday of Easter. It is called meat-free because you cannot eat meat; more precisely, on the first day of Maslenitsa you can eat meat dishes for the last time before Lent. And they call it cheese because during the holiday week you can still eat dairy products, as well as fish.

Motley week

The 7 days before Maslenitsa are called the colorful week. By this time, it was customary to end the period of weddings that had taken place since the beginning of the Winter Wedding Party.

It was believed that whoever gets married on a motley week will live in poverty and need, that is, motley.

Preparations for Maslenitsa began 3-4 days, or even a week before it began. Mostly women were involved in the preparation. During this period, it was customary to do a general cleaning of your home, washing it, as they say, “from the attic to the underground.” At this time, people were decorating the house and giving it a festive look. In preparation for the celebration, villagers always cleaned the stoves, whitened the rooms, and prepared festive dishes. Particular attention was paid to pancake pans; they had to be perfectly cleaned. Appearance They also tried to put the houses in order, they got rid of accumulated rubbish in the courtyards and swept all the garbage out the gate.

During Maslenitsa, it was necessary to eat deliciously and a lot and treat the guests to their fill. This was the only way to spend the winter. Failure to comply with this tradition was considered bad. Therefore, a considerable part of the preparations involved the advance purchase of all necessary products to prepare a seven-day festive table.

The main festive dish for Maslenitsa is, of course, pancakes, most often made from yeast dough with buckwheat flour. The Slavs worshiped nature and revered the Sun as a deity who gives vitality to everything living. Therefore in this spring holiday It was customary to bake pancakes. The Maslenitsa pancake still symbolizes the sun - round, yellow and hot.
Pancakes were prepared not only from wheat flour, like most modern housewives, but also from buckwheat, corn, oatmeal, millet, barley and even pea. In addition to pancakes, there had to be other dishes on the table, for example, fish, mushrooms, all kinds of pies and gingerbread. We had to buy a lot: flour different varieties, eggs, butter, cottage cheese, as well as products for all kinds of sweet and savory fillings for pancakes and pies. Local and city fairs and bazaars were very crowded.

It was customary to buy new items for the Maslenitsa holiday, mainly jewelry and outfits for girls.

Little Maslenitsa

The last Saturday before the celebration is called Little Maslenitsa. At this time, many housewives began to bake pancakes, gave them to children 8-10 years old and sent them off to “celebrate the holiday”: kids with pancakes jumped up on a grab handle or a simple poker in the garden and shouted: “Goodbye, snowy winter! Come, bright summer! Plow, harrow - I’ll work!”

There was a funny tradition for Little Maslenitsa. The children collected bast shoes around the village, then went to the “high road”, met everyone there who was returning home with purchases, and asked them the question: “Are you bringing Maslenitsa?” If the answer was negative, the children threw bast shoes at the unfortunate person.

For many, Little Maslenitsa was a memorial day for parents, the first of the year, when pancakes were specially baked and taken to the cemetery or distributed to children, the poor and nuns with a request to remember the deceased.

Seven days of Maslenitsa

Each day of Maslenitsa week has its own name:

• Monday - meeting;
• Tuesday - flirting;
• Wednesday - gourmet;
• Thursday - take a walk;
• Friday - evenings at mother-in-law's;
• Saturday - gatherings of sisters-in-law;
• Sunday - Great Forgiveness Sunday.

The preparations for these days were as follows. On Monday, housewives began baking pancakes. On this day, they made a funny straw effigy of Maslenitsa, dressed in a woman’s costume. By Tuesday and Wednesday it was necessary to prepare places for public festivities and fun, they made huge “swings” (swings), built snow towns, slides for skating, set up booths for buffoons, and prepared sleighs. Popular belief said that the further the sleigh travels, the richer the harvest will be. They also set up places for trade: benches and tables for selling sweets and all kinds of food. For fist fights, in which entire villages often fought each other, it was necessary to choose places for the battle and atamans, and agree on the rules of the game, the number and composition of participants.

A special ritual before Maslenitsa was the preparation of the first dough for yeast pancakes. Some housewives tried to do it right on the street, near the water, and special sentences were carried out.

It was believed that then the pancakes would turn out especially successful. Some people added melt water to the dough instead of regular water. The preparation of the first dough was entrusted exclusively to the women in the family and only to the most experienced, of course, the best cooks. The recipe and the preparation of the substance itself were kept strictly secret not only from outsiders, but also from other family members. It was believed that if all the features of this strict ritual are not followed, pancakes for the celebration of Maslenitsa may not turn out at all or turn out bad and tasteless.

As you can see, many traditions and rituals have existed since ancient times, but only the main ones have survived to this day. Maslenitsa in people's perception is a long-awaited and beloved holiday. In cities, towns and villages, they always organize festivities with fun to have fun during the winter. People clean their houses and bake pancakes all week. The culmination of the celebration remains the tradition of burning an effigy of Maslenitsa.

Many people always go to church or a cemetery to remember their deceased parents.

IN educational institutions, especially in kindergartens and schools, they begin to prepare in advance. Children are told about how they celebrate Maslenitsa, prepare dance numbers, competitions, outfits, learn various sayings and poems about this holiday, and come up with crafts.

For Orthodox Christians, Maslenitsa, as a preparatory week for Lent, is dedicated to one main goal - reconciliation with neighbors, forgiveness of offenses and the repentant path to God. Maslenitsa is a time that should be devoted to good communication with neighbors, family, friends and charity.

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