The main character and an indispensable attribute for ritual actions at the holiday is the Maslenitsa, the Shrovetide doll, the Shrovetide effigy, or, as contemporaries also call it, the Maslenitsa effigy. Practically in all corners of Russia they knew that without him the Maslenitsa week was impossible. The people in the villages firmly believed that the Shrovetide effigy, no matter how it was made, was endowed with an unimaginable magical gift. Therefore, with the help of rituals, they tried to demonstrate its exaggerated indicators, both external and internal. According to the tradition of many generations, Maslenitsa was a wide, riotous, gluttonous, drunkard. At the street festivities, all those present unanimously chanted: “The fat Maslenitsa got drunk on wine and ate pancakes!” Clothes, torn, ridiculous, old sledges, dilapidation and unusual "departure" emphasized the obsolescence of this character. V Slavic mythology this attribute character personified death and winter. And bursting laughter, a loud cry and general merriment, present in all rituals, were regarded as protective properties.

At the festival, she was recreated as a huge humanoid (straw or wooden) figure. Could have both female and male appearance. Often her role was played by a real person.

Not only Maslenitsa was popular, but also Maslenitsa. They could be used together or singly. At the very beginning of the cheese week, they were instructed to make them young married women having a child, under the guidance of an elderly peasant woman. The basis for the body of Shrovetide was a sheaf of straw, on which the head and arms were fastened with ropes. Large breasts were made from bundles of straw. When the body was ready, it was dressed up in a festive embroidered shirt, over which they put on a beautiful sundress with appliqués, fringe and a patterned apron. On the head they tied, with the ends back, certainly a red scarf.

How did they make a stuffed Maslenitsa in ancient times?

The depicted dolls in antiquity not only resembled the shape of the human body, but also necessarily had special features inherent in one sex or another. Maslenitsa was depicted with large breasts, and Maslenitsa had obvious masculine features. The most important ritual action in the creation of such characters was their dressing - “dressing up”. The costumes of Shrovetide effigies had to be old, dilapidated, torn, and sometimes they were also put on fur coats with fur turned out. With all this, both the straw for the sheaf (body) of Shrovetide, and all items for clothing were necessarily taken from different peasant houses. They could even buy it in a clubbing, considering the stuffed animal a ritual symbol of all members of the village. In most cases, the character was also given the personal name Garanka, Avdotya, Dunya, etc.

In some Siberian regions, not only women made a Shrovetide effigy, but also young guys.

And the population of the central provinces of Moscow, Kaluga, Vladimir, along with the main common ritual character, made “family” miniature dolls, likened to the common village Maslenitsa. No more than that, home images had an attractive appearance. Eyebrows, eyes, nose were painted with charcoal, lips with beets. They tried to dress up in a bright elegant suit, still emphasizing the signs of gender. For both home and public Chuchel, appropriate accessories were selected to characterize the baking of pancakes. So at home they could supply Maslenitsa with pans, ladles, bowls, attached to a bench, imitating the baking of pancakes. Such an image did not have any serious significance. And the inhabitants of the Kaluga province made up to 7 different figures corresponding to each day of Shrovetide week, which occupied an honorable place at the window on the bench. The girls took them with them, gathering for gatherings, games, walking with them around the village, riding a sleigh, singing suffering love songs. Basically, such a character was created where there was a girl of marriageable age. Quite often, a dressed up doll after the celebration became a simple toy, and it was, like the motanka doll, a kind of amulet.

Among the peasants from the Perm province, the main symbol of the holiday was not a straw doll, but a wooden statue. They dressed up either a wooden pusher, or rolled a snowman out of the snow, put her on a sled and rolled her down a hill and along the streets of the village.

But in the fifties of the nineteenth century. traditions in many places in Russia have changed.

Now, for the ceremony for the role of Maslenitsa, the public selected some eccentric peasant. The whole village, laughing and having fun, dressed him up in motley clothes. She had to be feminine, dilapidated, funny and torn. Numerous ridiculous accessories and means of transportation complemented the character of Maslenitsa.

The peasant, fantastically and absurdly dressed, traveled all over the village. The horse was harnessed to a sled that was old and falling apart. They were covered with faded rugs, torn matting, they hung bast, bast shoes. He sang loudly, clowned around, simpered and gathered around him a crowd of noisy fellow villagers. Shrovetide was escorted to the outskirts of the village, to the fields or to the forest, where he changed into ordinary clothes. After the ceremony "Seeing Shrovetide" everyone returned home.

In the Vologda villages, according to modern traditions, a young guy was chosen for this role, who rode a children's sleigh harnessed by a small foal with a straw harness.

And in the villages of the Penza province, calves and foals were harnessed to inverted harrows, a light young guy was seated, they were given a pomelo and a poker in his hands, and, to the wild laughter of fellow villagers, they drove him around the village. In the villages of Vladimir, a man was selected for the role of Shrovetide, he was seated in a huge sleigh on a wheel attached to a high pole. He traveled with a bottle of wine and a huge roll.

The interesting traditions of the Russian people on Maslenitsa had one thing in common: they all began and ended with a carnival procession. The popular rite of burning an effigy of Maslenitsa symbolized the "seeing off, funeral" of an obsolete winter.

The rite of burning an effigy of Maslenitsa expresses the idea of ​​a century-long and annual renewal. In ancient times, old unnecessary things were thrown on this fire in order to set fire to everything sinful, sad and bad. The arrival of early spring depended on how everything burned. After all, it is right to spend the boring Winter (quick burning of the Scarecrow) means to help Spring. The fields were fertilized with ashes for the abundance of the future harvest.

How to make a Shrovetide scarecrow?

1. The modern carnival scarecrow is very different from the one our ancient ancestors made. More and more often it is created, taking as a basis a garden scarecrow. It is made from two dry bars of different lengths. The long one is the base for the torso, the shorter one is for the arms. I put the bars crosswise and knock them down.

2. To form the body, take hay, paper, straw - the most burning materials. They are tied with ropes, twine, creating a stuffed figure. If straw or dry grass is not available, replace them with 2-3 brooms.

3. The head is completed from a light linen bag, which is filled with straw, hay and sewn at the bottom. Instead of a bag, you can take white paper, wrapping it with straw. A bright scarf, tied at the ends at the back, covers the head.

4. To dress up a carnival scarecrow, choose an old one, either a sundress, or a dress, sewing up its hem. Then the grass, straw from the stuffed animal will not fall.

If you have a desire to create, make a glamorous Maslenitsa - the latest fashion!

Dress her in a shocking cropped jacket with sleeves - a flashlight, a beret on her head, a huge scarf around her neck. The bottom is a skirt in a contrasting color. For the hands, take old mittens and stuff them with hay too. Attach them to the ends of the smaller stick with ropes.

5. Paint the face. Eyes - necessarily closed - with a thin cosmetic pencil. For scarlet cheeks and lips, blush and bright lipstick are suitable. Such a character will clearly contrast with white snow.

6. For two braids, weave white fabric or shades of yellow fabric. Tie ribbons at the ends of the braids. Fasten the braids under the scarf. Now it remains to put the doll in a snowdrift or fix it on the snow.

Religious holidays in Russia are sometimes held with no less scope than state holidays. It is difficult to find a family in Russia where at Easter there will not be at least a small Easter cake. Baptism is impossible to imagine without folk bathing in the hole. Shrovetide has its own distinctive feature. It is a tradition to bake pancakes and burn an effigy. And if the tradition of baking pancakes has not changed much over the centuries of the existence of the holiday, then civilization has left its mark on the burning of the Shrovetide effigy. The correspondent of the site found out whether the townspeople can meet the spring by burning an effigy?

Burn can't dance

No one can forbid you to make a stuffed Maslenitsa and dance around it, but you won’t be able to burn it yourself in Moscow.

In the capital, any kind of campfires is generally prohibited - a fine of up to five thousand rubles is imposed for this. The exception is barbecue gatherings at the barbecue, but they are allowed only at specially equipped picnic points.

According to the Moscow Ministry of Emergency Situations, there are no places in Moscow where you can come to Maslenitsa and burn an effigy on your own - without notifying the authorities. Nevertheless, Muscovites will not be left without their favorite pastime. But the holding of such events should be coordinated with the authorities and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Anna, an employee of the council of the Beskudnikovo district: “If burning is carried out in mass places with the participation of the council, then this can be done. However, security measures must be followed. - send a fire inspector to the place of the festive burning of the effigy or the organizers are able to independently ensure safety with fire extinguishing equipment.

Scarecrow burn!

Maslenitsa festivities will go on for a whole week from March 7 to 13. Muscovites are waiting for exciting competitions and master classes, traditional folk fun and interactive events, baking pancakes at speed, processions with rattles, folk games and traditional fair rows, concerts with the participation of Nike Borzov, Pizza and Ivan Kupala groups, brass orchestra ½ Orchestra and folk groups. The main sites of the holiday are parks of culture and recreation, pedestrian zones, and almost all cultural institutions. More than 100 events are announced in the program. And the final point in the celebrations will be put by the burning of art-effigies of Maslenitsa in different parts of the city.

You can watch the burning of the effigy at the following venues:

Gorky Park

On March 12 and 13 from 11:00 a.m. Pushkinskaya and Krymskaya embankments will host a two-day music festival with the participation of the best representatives of the Russian folk scene: a mixture of folklore and modern traditions from the Yoki group, traditional Slavic polyphony in electronic arrangement "Folk Beat", folk-rock group ALENA, vocals in combination with the harp from the group "Zelo-Zelny Erofeich", the group "Dobra Noch" will delight with Russian dance, and "Ivan Kupala" - all the familiar and favorite repertoire.

Fair yards with fragrant pancakes, hot tea and souvenirs will open. On the wooden stage in the Museon, jesters and buffoons will show performances to the rhythms of street musicians. Children's workshops will teach how to paint wooden spoons and weave bast dolls. There will be competitions for men: tug-of-war, sack fights, a traditional Russian attraction - a Maslenitsa pillar, which only the most dexterous can climb.

The burning of the art scarecrow of Maslenitsa will take place on March 13 at 20:20. The scarecrow will be made by the Hungarian artist Gabor Joquet. The installation will consist of two parts - a lair and a brown bear. The lair will burn down and disappear along with the winter, and the bear, as a symbol of the awakened spring, will remain to live in the park. The dimensions of the object are impressive: a five-meter lair will hide a bear cub sitting inside, 3.5 meters high. The total weight of the sculptural composition will be about 4 tons. All necessary material will be brought to Moscow from Hungary by special diplomatic transport. It will take 6 days to create the installation, and the process itself can be observed in real time from 6 to 11 March on Pushkinskaya Embankment.

"Kolomenskoye"

Wide Shrovetide in Kolomenskoye will be celebrated on March 12-13. These days there will be mass street festivities.

March 12, Saturday, at 13:00 in Kolomenskoye on the stage behind Yarmarochnaya Square (Kolomenskaya metro station) will begin the theatrical program "Boyar Maslenitsa". On this day in Kolomenskoye, professional artists will acquaint the guests of the museum with the customs, rituals, folk Maslenitsa games and amusements, as well as present characteristic distinctive features celebration of Maslenitsa by townspeople and rural residents. Nearby, in the fair houses, a wide trade in pancakes with various fillings, hot tea, and souvenirs will unfold.

The next day of Maslenitsa will be just as bright and cheerful - March 13, Sunday. The last day of Maslenitsa - Forgiveness Sunday. All close people asked each other for forgiveness for the troubles and insults caused during the year. Forgiveness consisted of a triple kiss and a low bow. From 12:00 to 17:00 on the stage behind the Yarmarochnaya Square, guests of the Museum-Reserve will see the theatrical program "Farewell to Shrovetide". Children and adults will be able to participate in traditional Russian outdoor games, sing along with the artists folk songs, ditties and incantations, dance round dances and learn a lot about the last day of Shrove Tuesday - Forgiveness Sunday. The culmination of the holiday will be the burning of an effigy of Maslenitsa.

Izmailovsky Kremlin

On March 12 and 13, from 12:00 to 18:00, noisy folk festivals, fist fights, sawing logs, wall to wall, hockey with brooms, tug of war and other primordially Russian fun will be held at the Sovereign's Court of the Izmailovsky Kremlin. A concert will be held on the main stage with the participation of the best folk and pop ensembles. The program includes performances by the Moscow Cossack Choir, the Paraskeva show group, the Gusliary of Russia state orchestra, and even a concert number featuring a real brown bear.

Also, for everyone, creative and craft master classes will be held in museums and workshops of the Kremlin. A fair of souvenirs and gifts awaits guests in the boyar hall. In the midst of the holiday, a flash mob "Magic Ball" will take place, in which all guests of the holiday will be able to participate. On March 13 at 17:40, the burning of the hero of the occasion - a huge and elegant Maslenitsa - will take place at the Sovereign's Court.

Vorontsovsky park

From 5 to 13 March, from 12:00 to 19:00, a festive fair with gifts and pancakes is open in the park. Craft workshops will open, where those who wish will be taught blacksmithing and pottery, woodcarving. The burning of the Shrovetide effigy will take place on March 13 at 18:00 and will be accompanied by a light show.

Sokolniki Park"

In the Sokolniki Park, the Broad Maslenitsa will be celebrated on March 12 on Fontannaya Square, the Big Circle and the main flowerbed. From 12:00 to 15:00 in the pagoda on the main flower bed, culinary master classes and fights with chefs will be held. At 15:00, a musical concert starts on the stage of Fountain Square. Performers: Nike Borzov, Pizza bands, Bubamara Brass Band. The musical program will continue with a festive DJ set. At the end of the event, the traditional burning of the "Art Scarecrow" of Maslenitsa will take place, which will be installed on a special frying pan on the fountain bowl.

Garden "Hermitage"

The park will be decorated with art objects in the form of cockerel lollipops, a design market and workshops for making Maslenitsa toys and dolls will operate. There will be rattle processions, the Folkbeat group will take the stage - four pretty girls performing in the genre of traditional Slavic polyphony with modern arrangements of Russian folk songs. On March 12 at 18:00, a three-meter effigy of Maslenitsa will be burned, which will be a lady in a rooster costume.

Izmailovsky park

The visitors of the park will be entertained by mummers, buffoon theater and harmonists. Children will be able to ride the traditional Shrovetide swing, and men will be able to take part in a hat fight and climb a Shrovetide pole. Folk groups "Dikovina", "Yareneya" and "Karagod" will perform on the stage of the park. On March 12, the holiday will end with the burning of an effigy of Maslenitsa.

Lianozovsky park

Maslenitsa will be celebrated in Lianozovsky Park on March 12 from 12:00. At 16:00, the groups "Iva Nova", Feuertanz and "Namgar" will perform on the stage with old songs, perky dance compositions and legend songs. And at 19:00, the burning of the art carnival and a pyrotechnic show will take place.

Park Gardeners

On March 12, at 14:00, the festivities will begin in the Sadovniki park. Singer Inna Zhelannaya and indie folk group Malinen will perform. Workshops for creating costumes, kokoshniks, skirts, scarves will open in the park, and a fair will work. Burning of Maslenitsa effigy can be observed at 17:00.

Park "Kuzminki"

Maslenitsa festivities in the Kuzminki park will be held on March 12 and 13. On Saturday, the groups "Iva Nova" and "Length of Breath" will perform in the park. Pedlars will walk around the park with caramelized apples, pies and pancakes. The mummers will organize traditional games to the accompaniment of folk instruments, and at 16:00 they will burn an effigy of Maslenitsa.

March 13 at 10:00 starts "Pancake Run" for 10 kilometers. From 13:00 to 15:00 there will be a Shrovetide quest with prizes for children, participants will learn how to cook pancakes and get acquainted with the traditions of Maslenitsa celebrations.

Perovsky park

On March 12, an interactive photo zone "Stove" and a wooden Ferris wheel will appear in the park, traditional games and contests, master classes in painting wooden toys will be held.

There will be a performance by the group "Tuda-suda", which recreates the traditions of instrumental music of the peoples of Russia, and OYME - a modern sound combined with Mordovian folklore. And at 18:00, a four-meter effigy will be burned.

North Tushino Park

The park will welcome guests on March 12 with buffoons and mummers. Ladies on this day will be able to try on traditional Russian outfits, and men will compete in strength and dexterity. At 16:00, the concert program will begin: Soulmama and Marimba Plus will perform, working in the fusion style and combining academic traditions, ethnic rhythms, jazz improvisations and modern musical trends. The burning of the effigy of Maslenitsa will take place on the embankment of the Khimki reservoir.

Cultural center "Zelenograd"

Shrovetide festivities will also be held on the basis of the largest cultural institution in Zelenograd on March 12. The program of the event is designed for all age categories of the population and includes: Maslenitsa games, fun, Maslenitsa competition. The culmination of the holiday will be the burning of an effigy of Maslenitsa.

already close. It goes on for a whole week. , as expected, in Monday. And it will end as usual Sunday, February 26. The holiday has many traditions and customs. One of the oldest traditions is burning an effigy for Maslenitsa. When and why to burn an effigy on Maslenitsa in 2017.

First, let's say when you need to make a scarecrow. Usually a scarecrow was made on the first day of Shrovetide week. It will be February 20, 2017 - the Maslenitsa meeting.

Our ancestors used straw to make stuffed animals. To do this, they specially left the last bunch after harvesting in the fall. They dressed up a scarecrow in old unnecessary things. Faces, as a rule, were not depicted. That is, the scarecrow was faceless. Now a scarecrow is made much easier. They knock together two sticks in a cross and dress them in torn clothes.

The effigy is supposed to be burned on the last day of Maslenitsa. It will be February 26, 2017 - Forgiveness Sunday.

Why is it necessary to burn an effigy on Maslenitsa in 2017? People have long believed that the ritual of burning an effigy on Maslenitsa is able to save them from various troubles that previously accompanied them. In addition, old things and clothes are thrown into the fire along with the scarecrow. It is believed that this is the way to get rid of negative energy.

In addition, our ancestors considered the burning of an effigy to be a kind of sacrificial ritual. In response, they hoped that higher powers would send them a good harvest in the coming year. Therefore, the ashes left after the burning of the effigy, they scattered across the fields.

The custom of burning an effigy on Maslenitsa has come down to our days. However, nowadays people give this ritual a slightly different meaning. By burning a scarecrow, people say goodbye to winter and welcome spring. They rejoice at the imminent approach of warmth and the clear sun.

Happy Shrovetide to you! Love, warmth, hope!

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 a "format" 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 snowy 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 effigy was burned, drowned in the hole, or torn apart, 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

Categories

• • . In other words, a horoscope is an astrological chart drawn up taking into account the place and time, taking into account the position of the planets relative to the horizon line. To build an individual natal horoscope, it is necessary to know the time and place of birth of a person with maximum accuracy. This is required in order to find out how the celestial bodies v given time and in this place. The ecliptic in the horoscope is depicted as a circle divided into 12 sectors ( zodiac signs. Turning to natal astrology, you can better understand yourself and others. The horoscope is a tool for self-knowledge. With its help, you can not only explore your own potential, but also understand relationships with others and even make some important decisions.">Horoscope130
• . With their help, they find out the answers to specific questions and predict the future. You can find out the future by dominoes, this is one of the very rare types of fortune telling. They also guess on tea and coffee grounds, on the palm of your hand, and on the Chinese Book of Changes. Each of these methods is aimed at predicting the future. If you want to know what awaits you in the near future, choose the fortune-telling that you like best. But remember: no matter what events are predicted for you, take them not as an indisputable truth, but as a warning. Using divination, you predict your fate, but with some effort, you can change it."> Divination66

One of the most popular ceremonies is the burning of an effigy on Maslenitsa. This is the name of the old holiday of the Slavs, the beginning of which lies in pagan culture, although it survived after the advent of the Christian faith.

How did Maslenitsa appear?

One version claims that the name Maslenitsa appeared due to the fact that before Lent this week forbade the consumption of meat, but dairy products were still allowed.

Maslenitsa holiday is a hearty celebration lasting 7 days. An integral tradition is to ride horses. Guys who wanted to get married bought a sled for this action. It was necessary for all young couples to participate in skating. Rural youth had their own custom - to jump over the fire and take the snowy town.

The main task of Maslenitsa is seeing off winter and burning a scarecrow. The holiday was met with beautiful songs, and pancakes were its integral feature. They need to be baked daily from Monday to Sunday, but the peak of goodies falls on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Why exactly? Pancakes resemble the sun, and the pagans believed in the solar God Yarila, who drove away winter and marked the beginning of spring.

Each housewife had her own unique recipe for pancakes, which had to be passed on to women from generation to generation. The first pancake was always intended to commemorate the dead, it was placed on the window.

Each Maslenitsa day was special:

1. On Monday, we celebrated the holiday, spent skiing on ice slides. In the morning, the children made a stuffed Shrovetide out of straw, decorated it and dragged it along the streets.
2. On Tuesday, entertainment began, the guys went in search of brides, and the girls went in search of grooms.
3. Wednesday was called "gourmet", everyone was treated to pancakes.
4. Thursday was a busy day. It was at this time that they rode horses, harrowed or took snowy towns.
5. On Friday, the son-in-law had to go to his mother-in-law for pancakes.
6. On Saturday it was necessary to bypass all the relatives and treat them with pancakes.
7. Sunday is the last stage that falls on Forgiveness Day, when everyone asked each other for forgiveness. It is on Sunday that they burn an effigy of straw at the stake.

What was the effigy of Maslenitsa before?

A scarecrow for Maslenitsa or Shrovetide made of straw not only resembled human forms, but also had special features that are inherent in one or the other sex. Maslenitsa was a woman, and Maslenok was a man. Burning an effigy of Maslenitsa is an important ritual, but dressing up a doll is no less responsible.

Shrovetide effigies were dressed in old, dilapidated and torn costumes, sometimes they used fur coats with fur inside out. Clothes were taken from different houses, and mostly women dressed up the “beauty”. Eyes, eyebrows and nose were drawn with charcoal, and beets were used for lips.

Why do they burn an effigy on Maslenitsa? In ancient times, this could only symbolize one thing - the funeral of cold, in other words, the burning of an effigy of winter.

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.

Modern scarecrow for Maslenitsa

The burning of an effigy on Maslenitsa is still carried out today, only the modern burned Maslenitsa "handsome" differs from what our ancestors had.

How a scarecrow of Maslenitsa is made today

1. Take 2 bars: one is short, the other is long. From the first they make arms, and from the second - the torso.
2. The body is formed with hay, paper and straw (to make the Shrovetide effigy easier to burn). If these items are not available, then several brooms are used.
3. The head is completed from light linen bags filled with straw, sewn at the bottom. Be sure to cover the doll's head with a bright scarf.
4. For some reason, the burning of Maslenitsa is performed in old outfits: dresses, sundresses with a sewn hem. This will allow you to burn a scarecrow without problems. Very often they create glamorous dolls according to the latest fashion trends.
5. For Maslenitsa, which will be remembered for a long time, a scarecrow is painted on the face. The eyes are closed with a thin cosmetic pencil. Scarlet cheeks and lips are painted with blush and bright lipstick. Against the backdrop of white snow, this character will not be able to remain in the shade, which means that the purpose of the celebration has been fulfilled.
6. The final touch: before burning the doll, they create pigtails from white fabric.

Climax at Shrovetide

The rite of burning an effigy of Maslenitsa is the culmination of the holiday. The action takes place on the last day of the week to say goodbye to winter. Such a tradition can only mean one thing - the imminent arrival of spring. Before burning, they dance in circles, have fun, dance and treat themselves to pancakes.