Shrovetide week is coming soon. So, you need to prepare for the farewell to winter and fun festivities. What does the ritual of destroying a doll at the stake mean, which is burned on Maslenitsa together with an effigy in Russia and in other countries, you will learn from our article.

Whose effigy is burned on Maslenitsa: Winters or Maslenitsa, and why, according to tradition, it is burned

During the time of paganism in Russia, the Maslenitsa holiday was not just fun. It had a clear religious connotation and was dedicated to seeing off the cold season. People believed in the power of sacrifices, therefore, according to tradition, to attract a rich harvest, they burned an effigy of Maslenitsa, which symbolized the passing winter. It was believed that the rite carried fertility and brought warmth closer. Shrovetide festivities in those ancient times lasted for two whole weeks, and an effigy was burned in every yard. They made it from straw and rags: they added eyes, a mouth, attached rag braids. It was made in the image of a girl who traveled, accompanied by Maslenitsa, throughout the village. The ceremony ended with the ritual burning of the doll in the square, songs and dances that caused a religious trance. Everything old and unnecessary was thrown into the fire, the remnants of food from the festive table, and the ashes were buried in the ground.

Why burn an effigy in the rite of Shrovetide

Over time, the rite took on a different meaning. Maslenitsa week preceded Lent, so the meaning of the holiday was a plentiful treat. Sunday is the last day on which the largest and most beautiful effigy was chosen and burned in front of everyone. Whose effigy is burned on Maslenitsa: Winter or Maslenitsa, and why is it traditionally burned today? Shrovetide is celebrated because it's fun. Folk festivities unite people and provide an opportunity to touch the ancient traditions that are so close to the Slavic people.

What is burned on Maslenitsa along with the effigy of Winter and why the doll is burned

Together with the effigy of Winter on Maslenitsa, today they don’t burn anything, except for the doll itself, which is made from improvised means. And no one makes the symbol of celebration on their own anymore: it is ordered in advance by professionals. Previously, along with the doll, they threw the remnants of food from the festive table into the fire so that there would be no temptations during strict fasting. They explained to small children that the pancakes had been burned yesterday. Also, old clothes, which symbolized illness and trouble, were subject to burning. They also made small pupae from shreds, which they called "homemade carnival".

Shrovetide rites: which effigy is burned at the stake and why

Why do they burn a doll on Maslenitsa, what is burned along with a effigy of Winter, is certainly of interest to any person who has seen this colorful ceremony at least once in his life.
For the manufacture of stuffed animals, old rags are taken, which are tightly wound and put on a stake. You can use straw for this purpose. Similarly form the head and hands. They dress the doll in a women's sundress, and tie a scarf on her head. Then they perform "make-up" with the help of paints or women's cosmetics. You can use beets and coal, as in ancient times. In some villages, even now old and unnecessary things are thrown into the fire in order to bring renewal to the house along with the coming spring. But this is done mainly for fun.

What and why are burned on Maslenitsa in other countries

Not only Ukraine, Russia and Belarus celebrate Maslenitsa. There are similar holidays in other countries. Only the traditions are different. Not always in other countries they burn something on Maslenitsa. For example, in the UK, on ​​the first strike of the bell on the main town hall, you need to bake a pancake, on the second, run a short distance without dropping the treat from the pan. Whoever reaches the finish line first gets a kiss or a strong handshake from the bell ringer. In France, with carnivals and eating pancakes, they celebrate the Mardi Gras holiday, which must end at midnight. In Iceland, with the advent of spring, it is customary to prepare special cakes, and then go for a walk with the whole family. In Denmark, funny performances and concerts are arranged, anonymous notes are exchanged.

How Shrovetide is celebrated in other countries: whose effigy is burned and why

What and why are burned on Maslenitsa in other countries? The Polish scarecrow is called Mazhana. It is made in the image of a beautiful girl with braids and in a sundress. All week Mazhana, like Maslenitsa, travels around the village, and then they create a couple for her - Mazhenyak, in a torn caftan and with a bottle of vodka. Mazhana and Mazhenyak are brought into each hut so that they take away drunkenness and troubles. Then they burn or drown.


In Switzerland, they build a snowman, stick fireworks in it and set it on fire at exactly 6 pm. The faster the Bodge snowman melts, the hotter the summer will be.

In Germany, they also make a stuffed animal named Nubel. For this, the men's suit is stuffed with straw. True, this is done not to attract a rich harvest, but in order to “burn” sins after the November carnival.

Why they burn an effigy at the stake during the farewell to winter and what they burn on Maslenitsa in other countries are of interest to culturologists and religious scholars. Together with the doll on this day, everything related to old age and disease is destroyed.

Burn, burn... a straw effigy, or why Shrovetide culminates in the burning of a doll. Shrovetide is a bright and cheerful holiday that has come down to us from pagan times. Mass festivities traditionally end with the burning of a straw effigy (doll).

Now the ritual has become just the final point of celebration. And our ancestors took everything much more seriously, and the rite not only symbolized the departure of winter and the onset of spring, but was the key to a new harvest. A bright lush bonfire was a harbinger of a successful year.

From antiquity to modern times

The first mention of the tradition of burning a terrible doll dates back to the time of the existence of the ancient Russian state. Then, among the pagan gods, Mara (Marena) commanded cold and cold. She made all living things freeze until the very spring, and with her arrival Marena died for a while. The holiday dedicated to the goddess was called Komoyeditsa. According to written sources, the celebrations lasted two weeks, and the effigy was burned several times during this period.

Our ancestors believed that the ceremony is not just a farewell to winter, but allows you to cleanse yourself, relieves sorrows and hardships. But even more than their own well-being, people in those days cared about their daily bread. The burning of an effigy served as a sign of the revival of fertile lands. And the meaning was that life appears through struggle, death, resurrection, because this is how the goddess Mara was born again, like a Phoenix bird.

Shrovetide is one of the most fun and long-awaited holidays of the year, the celebration of which lasts for seven days. At this time, people have fun, go to visit, arrange festivities 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 the meeting of spring. Before entering Great 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:

• the meat-empty Maslenitsa is called due to the fact that during the celebration they refrain from eating meat;
• cheese - because this week they eat a lot of cheese;
• Shrovetide - because they use a large amount of oil.

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

The most popular amusements that used to be arranged in the villages were:

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

The main treat both before and now are pancakes, which can have various 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 bleakly.

Maslenitsa: what can and cannot be done?

1. On Maslenitsa you can not eat meat food. It is allowed to eat fish and dairy products. As a main dish, pancakes should be on the table in every house.
2. You need to eat on Maslenitsa often and a lot. Therefore, it is customary to invite guests and not skimp on treats, as well as to go on a visit.

Maslenitsa: the history of the holiday

In fact, Maslenitsa is a pagan holiday, which was eventually changed to the "format" of the Orthodox Church. In pre-Christian Russia, the celebration was called "Seeing off the winter."

Our ancestors revered the sun as a god. And with the onset of the first spring days, they were glad that the sun was starting to warm the earth. Therefore, a tradition appeared to bake round cakes resembling the sun in shape. It was believed that by eating such a dish, a person would receive a piece of sunlight and heat. Over time, flat cakes were replaced with pancakes.

Maslenitsa: traditions of celebration

In the first three days of the holiday, there was an active preparation for the celebration:

• brought firewood for the fire;
• decorated the huts;
• built mountains.

The main celebration took place from Thursday to Sunday. They came into the house in order to treat themselves to pancakes and drink hot tea.

In some villages, young people went from house to house with tambourines, horns, balalaikas, singing carols. City residents participated in the festivities:

• dressed in the best clothes;
• went to theatrical performances;
• visited booths to look at buffoons and have fun with a bear.

The main entertainment was the ride of children and youth from the 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 snow town with gates, they planted guards there, and then went on the attack: they broke into the gates and climbed onto the walls. The besieged defended themselves as best they could: snowballs, brooms and whips were used.

On Maslenitsa, guys and young men showed their agility in fisticuffs. The inhabitants of two villages, landlord and monastic peasants, residents of a large village living in opposite ends could participate in the battles.

Seriously prepared for the battle:

• soared in the baths;
• ate well;
• turned to the sorcerers with a request to give a special conspiracy to win.

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

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

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

Maslenitsa: the meaning of every day

The holiday is celebrated from Monday to Sunday. On Shrove Week, it is customary to spend every day in its own way, observing the traditions of our ancestors:

1. Monday called "Meeting 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 put it on the main street of the village. It was on public display until Sunday.
2. Tuesday nicknamed "The Gamble". It was dedicated to the youth. On this day, folk festivals were organized: they rode sledges, ice slides, carousels.
3. Wednesday- "Gourmet". On this day, guests (friends, relatives, neighbors) were invited to the house. They were treated to pancakes, honey cakes and pies. Also on Wednesday it was customary to treat your sons-in-law with pancakes, hence the expression: “ My son-in-law came, where can I get sour cream?". Horse racing and fist fights were also held on this day.
4. Thursday people called it "Razgulyay". From this day begins the Wide Shrovetide, which is accompanied by snowball fights, sledding, cheerful round dances and chants.
5. Friday They were nicknamed "Teschin's Evenings", because on this day the sons-in-law invited the mother-in-law to their house and treated them to delicious pancakes.
6. Saturday- "Zolovkin gatherings." The daughter-in-law invited her husband's sisters to their house, talked with them, treated them to pancakes and gave gifts.
7. Sunday- the apotheosis of Maslenitsa. This day was called "Forgiveness Sunday". On Sunday they said goodbye to winter, saw off Maslenitsa and symbolically burned its effigy. On this day, it is customary to ask friends and relatives for forgiveness for the grievances that have accumulated over the year.

Proverbs and sayings for Maslenitsa

Video: the history and traditions of the Maslenitsa holiday

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Maslenitsa is considered the most satisfying and fun holiday, because it has a lot of interesting traditions and customs. The main symbols of the holiday are pancakes, which you need to eat a huge amount during the week of festivities. Also of particular importance on Maslenitsa is an effigy, which is burned at the very end of the holiday.

Shrovetide for the Orthodox lasts seven days and falls on the last week before Lent. At this time, believers are actively preparing to enter a period of strict prohibitions and repentance, and therefore they try to have fun and eat more.

Churchmen condemn a little, because preparation for fasting should not consist in stuffing the belly and forgetting about entertainment - priests advise not to deny yourself food, but not to overdo it, because time should also be devoted to moral preparation and full awareness of the importance of the next seven weeks.

It is seven weeks that Lent traditionally lasts, preceding the Easter holiday. In 2018, Easter is celebrated early, on April 8th. The post will start on February 19th. This means that from today, February 12 and up to and including the 18th, we are celebrating a bright and satisfying Maslenitsa.

The holiday of seeing off winter and meeting with spring existed even among our ancestors, the Slavs, and they celebrated it no less cheerfully. Rich treats and a scarecrow came to us from antiquity - the time when people believed that they could change their fate for the better with the help of special rites and rituals.

Why did pancakes later become the symbol of Maslenitsa? The answer to the question is quite simple - round and golden they evoke an association with the sun and warmth, which spring will surely bring with it. Hearty and tasty - like nothing else they are a symbol of the fertility of the earth and nature.

The preparation of pancakes and Orthodoxy is of particular importance. You can't eat meat during Cheese Week, because it's a preparatory week for total abstinence from animal products. Pancakes made from flour, milk and eggs are a kind of combination of those products that you can still eat this week.

Many beliefs and signs are associated with pancakes for Maslenitsa. It is believed that they need to be eaten this week as much as possible in order to be recharged with health and strength for the whole of the next year. On pancakes, you can guess and tell fortunes in order to find out your share and change it for the better.

It is believed that the more pancakes baked for Maslenitsa, the richer and happier your family will be this spring.

According to custom, pancakes were generously treated to anyone who came to visit during Shrovetide week. It is believed that by showing generosity and cordiality to the guest, you “appease” spring and call happiness into your home.

If the pancake dough turned out to be too salty, the one who prepared it will cry a lot this year. To avoid the consequences of an unkind omen, it is necessary to pour the dough into running water, mentally sending your reasons for sadness with it.

Spilled dough - to unexpected events soon.

It is considered bad luck to throw out burnt or simply unsuccessful pancakes. In order not to incur grief, it is better to give failed pastries to birds or stray dogs.

Our ancestors believed that by baking pancakes for the first time on Maslenitsa, a person “bakes” his future destiny. Therefore, our grandparents advise to be extremely careful with the festive treat.

It is customary to celebrate Maslenitsa for a whole week and each day has its own special meaning. On each day it is necessary to bake pancakes, but with a different purpose. On Monday - the first pancakes are distributed to the family and pets. On Tuesday, the “Fun” is celebrated, when housewives train to stuff pancakes with all kinds of additives, and young girls lure potential suitors with them.

On Wednesday, gourmet, pancakes should be distributed to the poor and all acquaintances, to gather at a large table in order to once again taste the delicacy in a friendly company. Be sure to invite your spouse's parents to pancakes at this time.

On Thursday, a general revelry is celebrated - pancakes should be carried to the fair or bought at fairs. On this day, street entertainment begins, in which it is also worth taking part.

On Friday, parents treat their children to pancakes. First of all, it was believed that the son-in-law should pay a return visit to the mother-in-law.

Saturday - a woman invites her mother-in-law and all her husband's relatives to the house to treat them with cooked pancakes.

Sunday is Forgiveness Sunday. We need to get together with the whole family to ask each other for forgiveness and finish the last pancakes of the week, preparing for the post. On this day, in squares and fairs, a ritual burning of an effigy takes place, around which one should sing loudly, dance and have fun in order to wake up the sleeping spring with noise and uproar.

The effigy of Maslenitsa is also burned for a reason: the bonfire symbolizes the heat of the earth awakening from sleep, and the effigy symbolizes the cold winter, deprived of its power. Burning winter at the stake, our ancestors called for spring to start cultivating the land again and growing crops.

According to popular belief, the fire must be made large and high: the higher the fire, the more successful the year will be.

Girls who want to win the love of their chosen one can take home two coals from the Shrovetide bonfire: keep one at home, and leave the second at the house of a loved one. It is believed that the coals from this fire can melt a man's heart and evoke a reciprocal feeling.

Our ancestors often prepared two stuffed animals for Maslenitsa - in the form of a man and a woman. Their union in a flame meant the future fertility of the earth and a rich harvest.

Shrovetide effigies were dressed in old, dilapidated and torn costumes, sometimes they used fur coats with fur inside out. The clothes were taken from different houses, and the “beauty” was dressed up mainly by women, the rosregistr portal informs. Eyes, eyebrows and nose were drawn with charcoal, and beets were used for lips.

The effigy of winter must also be burned at the stake because it symbolizes the annual renewal. Once upon a time, old things were thrown into the fire so that the fire would consume everything sad and sinful. It depended on the strength of the fire when early spring would come, and the fields were cultivated with the help of ashes so that there was a good harvest.

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