Today, a bouquet of flowers has become an integral part of our lives. But who taught Russian men to give flowers, and where did this custom come from? We give it to express our recognition, to thank for the service, to congratulate on the holiday or just to make something pleasant. close person. Where did this tradition come from, and when did people begin to use flowers for aesthetic pleasure?
Biblical version of the appearance of flowers in people's lives
There are many different versions that tell how flowers entered people's lives. One of them refers us to the stories of the Bible. According to this version, Adam and Eve lived in Paradise, surrounded by beautiful and fragrant flowers. Having committed a sin, they were expelled from this magnificent place. On earth, Eve was constantly sad, depressed, and Adam decided to please her by returning at least some of the familiar and pleasant environment. He began to look everywhere for flowers in order to surround his beloved with the beauty and fragrance of aromas. After long searches he came across a huge clearing, which was strewn with many different flowers. Adam plucked and gave Eve a huge bouquet. Since then, the custom has gone to give women bouquets and baskets of flowers.
pagan version
According to the pagan version, the appearance of flowers in people's lives is associated with the rites of sacrifice to the Mother Goddess. She was a symbol of femininity, love, family well-being and fertility. As a sign of recognition and reverence, the ancient people lined for her a kind of paths of herbs and flower plants, decorated them with a place of worship. IN different cultures similar deities wore different names, the Slavs performed the rituals of sacrifice to Lada and Lele. And over time, this pagan ritual of presenting flowers in many countries became secular.According to another version, medicinal properties flowers became the reason for their appearance in the homes of our ancestors. In ancient times, when a person was very close to nature, people watched it and noticed what properties this or that plant possesses. Our distant ancestors knew well what can be eaten, what can be poisoned, and what is great for treating various ailments.
In those days, returning from a successful hunt to the house, male miners carried not only their trophies, but also a variety of roots, herbs, and flowers. The hostesses washed and dried all these plants, making preparations for medicinal decoctions and ointments. On one of these days, it occurred to a woman not only to use flowers for processing, but also to decorate her house with them. Later, more and more representatives of the weaker sex began to do so. And over time, dried flowers became not only the first decoration in houses, but also the first women's jewelry - wreaths were woven from flowers on the head, bracelets were made on the arms and a necklace around the neck.
The meaning of flowers at the courts of European kings and emperors
One of the most popular versions of the appearance of flowers in people's lives says that all flower traditions originated at the courts of European rulers. Under the kings and emperors, there were specially trained people who were responsible for decorating all the premises of the palace. They studied the meanings of each variety of flowers, knew what different shades meant and at what moments it was necessary to present bouquets to royal persons.During the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, flower petals were an essential attribute of all celebrations. A huge number of flowers were grown on the territory of the palace, from which buds and petals were subsequently plucked and showered with them on all the guests of the emperor.
At the courts of the eastern rulers, peonies and chrysanthemums were held in high esteem. Ruling dynasties hired special gardeners and florists who planted huge fragrant gardens. Over time, not only the rulers of countries, but also simply wealthy people began to strive to have their own flower garden. This hobby has become a kind of race between representatives higher strata societies - the rich tried to outdo each other by acquiring new varieties of expensive and outlandish flowers or creating incredible compositions from them.
How flower traditions came to the Russian imperial court
In Russia long time there was no cult of flowers. All these trends came from the West. In the palaces of ruling persons, floral decoration has been used since the time of the Romanov dynasty. It was then, striving to match the best Western imperial courts, representatives royal family began to hire gardeners and set up large flower beds on the territory. fashion trends of that time, it was dictated to use flowers as decorations for celebrations, attributes of various ceremonies, or simply an everyday element in the design of palace premises.
In greenhouses Russian rulers gardeners planted roses, geraniums, tulips and carnations.
Flowers - a sign of recognition of the talent of actresses
Some of the first women to receive flower bouquets were actresses. On the stage, admiring fans of their talent handed them flowers, trying to express their delight and recognition. Interestingly, this tradition also came from the West, and in Russia it appeared thanks to French actress Maria Taglioni, who, speaking with her performances, taught the Russian public to give flowers. There is an opinion that this tradition was gradually transformed, and bouquets were given to all women, wanting to show a special attitude.
It is not known for certain which of the versions caused such a strong entry of flowers into our lives. One thing is for sure - not a single one can do without them significant event. Flowers accompany a person from the moment of discharge from the maternity hospital until the moment he leaves for another world - birthdays, marriage proposals, congratulations on professional and thematic holidays, declarations of love, apologies for mistakes and offenses - bouquets go all their lives next to a person helping to express feelings and emotions in those moments when words alone are not enough.
Flowers are also a source of inspiration. And they can become proof of this.
“He is a symbol of loyalty and happiness from young years and to gray hairs ”- this is how it is sung in famous song about the custom of wearing wedding rings. However, today this tradition has become more of a touching ritual, and the ring has become a symbol of marital status. Buying rings before the wedding, we do not think about the meaning and origin of this tradition. Meanwhile at the engagement ring rich story With beautiful legends and life stories.
engagement story
It is believed that the ceremony of betrothal first appeared among the ancient Romans: then the groom gave a simple metal ring not to the bride, but to her parents, symbolically confirming his readiness for obligations to support his beloved. The tradition of wearing rings during an engagement appeared a little later and was associated with the custom of “buying” a woman - this jewelry served as a sign for other men that the girl had already been promised to someone, and as a commercial guarantee that the wedding agreement would be fulfilled. The betrothal ceremony was more important than the wedding itself - it was considered only a successful completion of the engagement. Moreover, the breakup of a relationship after an engagement was seriously condemned and even accompanied by the payment of compensation to the injured party. Gifts in this case were of a collateral nature and, in the event of a couple's separation, were usually returned.
Among the Jews, this tradition was preceded by the custom of giving the bride a coin, which was later replaced by the need to exchange rings before the wedding, also as a sign of the promise of financial support for the future husband in front of his wife.
engagement rings from precious metals first appeared among the Egyptians. They still bore little resemblance to fine jewelry such as modern classics, but already made of gold and decorated ring finger left hand - the romantic Egyptians believed that from this finger the "artery of love" leads directly to the heart.
The rings of the Romans were also endowed with a special spiritual meaning: girls received turnkey stylized rings from their future husbands, which meant that a woman would share duties and manage the household with a man as an equal partner.
In the Middle Ages, the church legalized the custom of engagement, and the exchange of rings began to mean not only a material agreement, but also a promise of love and fidelity. The groom wore an iron ring, which symbolized strength, and the bride - a gold or silver ring, as a sign of her tenderness and purity.
After the engagement
The relationship of the couple after the engagement also had a certain regulation, which different peoples curiously different. For example, in Italy, the betrothed could only meet in the bride's house, and even then in the presence of her mother. In Germany, morals were freer: the young entered into marital relations after the betrothal. In Spain, the period from the engagement to the wedding should not exceed three months - a delay in this period could become the basis for terminating the relationship. And in the same Germany, several years could pass from the exchange of rings to the marriage: the betrothed had to equip life in a separate house, and it took time to acquire property.
Where can I "try on" jewelry. The brand developers did their best, keeping in mind the main rule - the ring should fit perfectly, because the bride will wear it without taking it off. not for nothing famous proverb says: "The ring will cool down, and love will cool down."
Historically established stable social norms and attitudes that determine the behavior of people in certain situations of life; component national culture. There are religious, ethnic, demographic, family and household and other customs. They are associated with the worldview of people, reflect certain ideas, views and ideas, convey social experience, a culture of behavior and are designed to evoke feelings and moods corresponding to these ideas. During historical development some of the customs die off, give way to new ones, others change, enriched with modern content. This is especially evident in the customs associated with family and marriage relations. Timeless was the custom to solemnly celebrate (albeit in varying forms) such crucial moment in a person's life as a conclusion of marriage.
many customs wedding ceremony, which did not correspond to the spirit of the time, which humiliated the dignity of the young, especially the bride, disappeared. Other, carrying people kindness, optimism, wisdom, rethought and preserved (for example, the traditional wedding train of the groom and his squad and the custom of blocking his way, the “ransom” of the bride from her parents, the custom of meeting the young with bread and salt and showering them with grain with wishes of happiness, prosperity and health, wedding feast, division of the loaf and presenting young people with gifts). From the ancient wedding ritual, the custom of exchange on the day of marriage returned. wedding rings (cm. Engagement).
Preserved and wedding attire brides: a long white dress as a symbol of eternal human values- love, chastity, feminine dignity.
(Source: Sexological Dictionary)
(lat. rims) (rituals), stereotyped behaviors that are reproduced in a particular society or social group and are familiar to their members. In ancient times, cult O. were most common, which determined the order of sacrifices, processions, fasting, prayers, etc. Later, a group of O. related to the family and marriage sphere (dowry payment; demonstration of bloody sheets after the wedding night, etc.) .
(Source: Dictionary of Sexual Terms)
Synonyms:See what "Customs" is in other dictionaries:
Custom customs (1) 1. Habit, habit, habit individual person: What wounds, dear brother, forgetting the honor of both the stomach, and the city of Chrnigov from the gold of the table, and your own dear desire, red Glebovna, custom and custom? 13 14. At the time Jesus came in ... Dictionary-reference book "The Tale of Igor's Campaign"
Morals, habits and customs Dictionary of Russian synonyms. customs mores; habits and customs (outdated) Dictionary of synonyms of the Russian language. Practical guide. M.: Russian language. Z. E. Alexandrova. 2011 ... Synonym dictionary
Law Dictionary
In a broad sense, any detail or feature of life (other than purely physiological or pathological), repeated, constantly, periodically or with known cases, consciously or unconsciously (out of habit, tradition, etc.), greater ... ... Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron
customs- CUSTOM | AND (501), ˫A p. 1. Habit, habit: And you hear unclean voices. and custom are pernicious. razhdizayusht and razpalѧyusht and vzhizayusht on blѹd. Izb 1076, 223; all these customs are more blessed. ˫like many times in the night of getting up. and otai everything ... ... Dictionary Old Russian language(XI-XIV centuries)
customs- (legal) rule of conduct that has historically developed in a certain society (or locality), which is taken under the protection of the state and provided with the power of its coercion. In Europe, O. was the main source of law until the 16th century. Currently, his role is... Big Law Dictionary
A rule, a form of behavior that enshrined what has evolved as a result of long-term social practice; the main means of regulating behavior in a tribal system. Observance O. is provided with measures public influence … encyclopedic Dictionary economics and law
customs- stable forms of behavior characteristic of certain ethnic, territorial communities, in their mental nature close to habits ... Encyclopedic Dictionary of Psychology and Pedagogy
customs- Are common social concepts and categories... Dictionary of synonyms of the Russian language
customs- custom... Dictionary-thesaurus of synonyms of Russian speech
Books
- Customs and songs of Turkish Serbs. 2nd ed., supplemented by their prose, I S Yastrebov. This book will be produced in accordance with your order using Print-on-Demand technology. Reproduced in the author's original spelling…
Customs and traditions: the most tough examples
What are customs and traditions? Customs are historically established certain actions and orders that have long become the habit of the whole people. Under traditions, we "decipher" a certain " cultural code which is passed down from generation to generation.
Traditions and customs are very similar in their meaning. Sociologists even point out e. They are closely connected not only with history, but also with religious views. It was with the advent of beliefs that the beginning of customs and traditions was laid.
We all follow some traditions and customs, but not all of us truly know their purpose and history. I believe that people should pay special attention to history, because all traditions and customs are an interesting part of the culture of the people, the history of generations and religion, and are also one of the components of a person’s upbringing and his worldview.
The history of the emergence of customs and traditions
Initially, customs and traditions arose out of the need for survival. Thus was born the so-called hunting magic. It must be understood that people in ancient times were much more dependent on nature than we are. The hunt could be successful - or unsuccessful. Therefore, rituals arose that, it was believed, could bring good luck to the side of the hunters. The elders had knowledge of such rituals, therefore, in ancient times, the elderly were treated with due respect, not like now.
There were other customs and traditions among the ancients: not to wake a sleeping person (his soul may not have time to return from the world of dreams), not to mate during a hunt - this is fraught with uncontrolled births, etc. By the way, it is within the framework of hunting magic that rock painting: people wanted to attract the spirit of the animal to their side.
Such customs and traditions accompanied life ancient man. They have penetrated our culture so much that we do not even notice and do not track them! For example, look at a teenager at a bus stop. He smoked, spat and wiped his grub on the asphalt with his foot. What is this? This is a genetic memory: in fact, he destroyed the trace of himself. After all earlier people believed that through saliva, hair and other remnants of a person, you can bring trouble to him. Don't believe? Read the textbook "History primitive society» for universities!
wedding traditions- in general, continuous antiquity: White color(dress, veil) is a symbol of transition to another state. We wear white according to the rite three times in our lives: when we are born, when we get married or get married, and when we die. Did you even know about all this? Write in the comments!
Food habits. Come on new job- you need to "put down", you go on vacation - the same way. wedding table, parties, - in a word, a lot is connected precisely with eating food. Why? It turns out that in ancient times there was such a custom of potlatch, when the leader of the tribe fed all his community members. This meant that he did them good - we must respond in kind! And today: went on vacation, and we work? We're stressed! Gotta eat! And there is a gap. Did you graduate from high school and get your diploma? Are you stressed? School ball, graduation is again associated with food. Didn't notice
Interesting customs and traditions of the peoples of the world
The peoples of the whole world have many traditions and customs, and they are different for all peoples. For example, Russians have a tradition of celebrating the New Year, a holiday that connects the past and the future. This holiday brings bright feelings and many miracles, but, like most other traditions, New Year goes back to ancient times.
An integral part of the New Year is a Christmas tree with funny and clockwork toys, bright and glossy balls and garlands flashing in different colors. Do you know why everyone decorates the Christmas tree so quickly before this holiday? Because according to customs, people believed that by decorating the Christmas tree, they make the evil forces that surround them good. At present, many have forgotten about these forces, and the decorated Christmas tree is still a symbol of new year holiday. This magical holiday is described in many Russian fairy tales and poems, the authors of which are well-known A. S. Pushkin, S. A. Yesenin and others.
The Russian people also have interesting customs which are incomprehensible to foreign residents. For example, on the eve of Easter, happy holiday, which appeared in Rus' at the end of the tenth century, in honor of the resurrection of Christ, we paint chicken eggs. And many color them with onion peel, because it gives a burgundy-red hue, this shade symbolizes the blood of Christ crucified on the cross. A egg in turn - a symbol of the birth of a new life.
But not only the Russian people are famous for their traditions and customs. Abroad there is the well-known All Hallows' Eve or, as we call it, Halloween. The holiday became a tradition several centuries ago and, as we know from the book "Scarlett" by Alexandra Ripley, this holiday was rooted in Ireland. An attribute of such a tradition is a pumpkin, which symbolizes at the same time the harvest, evil forces and the fire that scares them away.
There are no less interesting traditions in the countries of the East. For example, polygamy. Polygamy also came into life from the ancestors and is preserved in the countries of the East to this day. For example, the Book of Mormon can tell us a lot about such a tradition. From the book it is known that in ancient times, with a nomadic lifestyle, considerable care was required for numerous herds of horses or camels, so the owner forced to have several women who could provide care for mares or camels. Camel fur made it possible to have warm and light blankets, and camel milk was highly valued. Only a woman could do all this, men had no time to do housework, they were the earners. At present, in the Eastern countries, polygamy determines the prestige of a man, which is no less important for the inhabitants of the East.
Departing from the history of the traditions of polygamy in the Eastern countries, one cannot help but recall the monogamy of the Caucasus. No matter how sad it may sound, there are always wars in countries, after which the number of men decreases sharply. Girls, as a rule, are born more than boys, and in the future, many adult girls do not have enough husbands, and as a result, families and children.
In general, if you recall, there have been cases in history when only one survivor from the male population of the village returned to the village from the front. However, after some time, the population again became at the same level.
So during Caucasian War of the nineteenth century, the leader of the Caucasian highlanders, Imam Shamil, eased the fate of widows and single women. They were allowed to choose a husband at their own discretion, which actually legitimized the existing relationship. As S. Essadze wrote: "The named man, single or married, was obliged to marry the one who chose him."
I propose to recall the customs and traditions of the inhabitants of such interesting country like Thailand. Thailand is famous for its exotic customs. During calendar year Indigenous Thais have many customs and traditions that delight tourists. Solemn holidays celebrated throughout the kingdom of Thailand. In general, some of the most interesting rituals can be observed in the "backward" cultures, whose carriers live in.
An example of this is one of the most beautiful holidays Thailand - Loy Krathong, dedicated to the spirits of water. This day falls at the beginning of November on the day of the full moon. Thais, floating their boats along the rivers - krathongs, in which candles burn brightly and fresh flowers, coins, various incense lie. Thais firmly believe that with the help of these boats that night, the spirits of water will wash away all the sins of the previous year from them.
In every country of our vast world have their own special customs, traditions that determine the way of life and culture of people How often do we hear about the customs and traditions of China? One of the most special traditions in China is the greeting. In the old days, the Chinese greeted each other by bowing with their hands folded across their chests. At the same time, it was believed: the lower the bow, the more respect a person shows. The modern Chinese today simply make a slight bow with their heads. However, if they want to show respect, they can bow lower.
The customs and traditions of all the peoples of the world inhabiting the Earth are very extensive and multifaceted. They are directly related to factors that are rooted in the very depths of history, and with religion, which helps a person to realize and perceive the world believing in the supernatural. It is necessary to respect and honor not only the customs and traditions of your country, your people, but also other countries and its inhabitants.
Interesting article? Like, write what you think about all this in the comments. .
© Sokolova E. A.
Editing Andrey Puchkov
Once upon a time, during the childhood of all mankind, our great-great-great-great-grandmothers and great-great-great-grandmothers lived in the rhythm of nature.
They saw, they knew: everything in the world has its own rhythm and order.
A wave is rhythmic, when it runs and runs away, they go in a secret rhythm - summer - autumn - winter - and spring, day and night, sunrises - sunsets alternate ... Everything is sequential, everything is in order, rhythmically.
Our ancient ancestors - they did not adapt to these rhythms, they lived in them. And they brought the harmony of rhythms into their daily lives.
Ritual is an act of creation, the creation of order.
From obscurity - to certainty, to predictability - a person is drawn to this.
Instability, unreliability, fragility of what we do for the first time - and vice versa, ritual, well-defined actions that seem to say: here is the order, you will go after one to another.
If you do this, you will not miss anything - and you know what you will get later. The fire burns out - you collect coals - you store it carefully, not letting it go out - it means that you will make a new fire, and in right time. If you don’t guard it, the coals will go out, they will become firebrands, which means there will be no fire, no heat.
Consequences - from causes. One leads to the other, one follows from the other, follows. Consistently everything goes, in the footsteps.
What gives it?
Feeling of repeatability and reliability.
And even though we are from those distant ancestors, far, far away, and we are separated by centuries and centuries, but we also need it. We are still children of nature. Despite the technical age, despite progress and everything else, we are children of nature, and we simply need a sense of rhythm, rhythm, it is inherent in us from the very beginning.
The son of David, King Ecclesiastes, said: “The generation passes and the generation comes, but the earth remains forever. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new about which they say: “Look, this is new”; but that was already in the ages before us.” (“The Old Testament. The Book of Ecclesiastes or the Preacher. Chapter 1). And these are not sad words. Vice versa. They say that everything is life, that life goes on. And how we keep a good "yesterday" depends on what "tomorrow" will be.
At that moment, when we perform some kind of good ritual, we seem to be stretching a thread from the past to the future. Through today. And we help to believe in ourselves and believe those close to us that it depends on us, our “now”. If we do it with love.
"Homemade" rituals
Somehow one contacted us good mom: « I am concerned about my child. I noticed that when I ask about the lessons, my daughter always knocks herself on the pocket, like this, three times. Asked why? He doesn't speak, he shrugs. The diary, for me to sign, gives me my left hand. Some stupidity. In the corridor, our floor is tiled, the pattern is like this, so she always walks along the pattern, along the lines. If he stumbles, he will return and go first. “What is it, mania and it’s time to take me to a neurologist?».
If you noticed something similar with your child, we hasten to reassure you.
Children often come up with some rituals themselves (and / or pick up from someone and repeat). “I’ll walk on the asphalt and not step on a single crack, which means they’ll buy ice cream ... / ... we’ll go to the circus ... / ... I’ll write a test for the “five”, ... / ... my mother will not swear ... "etc. and so on.
Children often come up with some tricks themselves (and / or pick up from someone and repeat). “I’ll walk along the asphalt and not step on a single crack, which means they’ll buy ice cream ... (“we’ll go to the circus / I’ll write a test for“ five ” / we’ll make up with Mishka / my mother won’t swear if I do this and that ...”) .
Oh, how much we all once thought of, oh, what signs we came up with!
And what is it in essence? A ritual where a clear sequence of actions is indicated. Find out, guess, fulfill ... And what is surprising: it helps! "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done..."
Actions that make no sense actually make sense. This is also a way to calm oneself down, and / or set oneself up for something good, and / or convince oneself: it will turn out the way I want, and fate is favorable to me.
And we do not think especially, and our children do not think. It's from the past, it's like genetic memory.
Just thinking and performing such a strange action, we seem to go to the origins; that “rituality” in us is from the times when people still remembered: all nature is alive, and they worshiped it. And he considered himself as a part of it. And they turned (and we turn again) to the gods.
Then - they made a sacrifice, and we make efforts, doing this and that.
Then they received a reward, a blessing. And we get: “it turns out the way I thought of it!”
Senseless things like actions actually have meaning, allegorical, and maybe even sacred.
At that moment, when we act as expected, according to the envisioned - conceived, traditionally, we seem to be stretching a thread from the past to the future. Through today. And we help to believe in ourselves and believe those close to us that it depends on us, our “now”.
"What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done..."
A person simultaneously belongs to two worlds: "the world of the valley" and "the world above". And both of these worlds - heavenly and earthly - are combined in us.
The material and the spiritual are within us.
So maybe, by creating rituals and following rituals, we restore (create, maintain!) the harmony of these worlds?! We hear and follow the rules, rhythms, laws by which our world was created. Traditions and rituals link man to man, and the past to the future. And everything becomes one and whole. Like a planet - a single whole together with mountains, rivers, atmosphere, together with people on it. Everything, everything Earth.
So the family is a single whole, one organism.
Little planet.
