Jaan day

On the eve of the day they burn fires, then all night dancing, singing, drinking beer.The second most important holiday after Christmas is Ivanov Day. It is traditionally celebrated in villages and hamlets, and is considered a day of miracles and witchcraft. The girls weaved wreaths of nine different types of flowers, nine flowers of each species. When the wreath was put on its head, it was impossible to say a word. The girl went to bed with him. According to legend, in a dream, her future husband had to come to her and remove a wreath.

Traditional important summer holiday and the summer equinox. On the eve of Ivanov day, bonfires are burned, then all night they dance, sing, drink beer, jump over the fire and look for a fern flower in the forest, which according to legend, blooms only in Ivanovo night. Finding a flower awaits great wealth and happiness. The fire was built on a mountain or by the sea. Swimming in rivers and lakes, as in the old days of Ivan Kupala, is not common among Estonians. But on this day they really like to go to the sauna. It is accepted that bath brooms should be harvested only until June 24. Since it is believed that after Ivanov day, the broom does not carry healing power.

To this sacrament is timed the main holiday, which has come down to us from distant pagan times, which is still celebrated by the peoples of Europe. In different countries it is called differently. It was believed that in Ivanovo night you can not sleep until dawn - not only because you can hear the singing of the elves, but primarily with the aim of talisman for the whole coming year. Celebrations in honor of the holiday began in the evening and continued throughout the night, ending with the meeting of the dawn - the rising sun. Until 1770, Ivanov Day was an official holiday. Its abolition, however, did not become a reason for the people to cool down to it, on the contrary, Ivanov night remained a favorite national holiday. Compared to Christmas and Easter, this holiday has much less to do with church celebrations. Most of the ancient pagan customs associated with Ivanova night.

Perhaps the main tradition, timed to the Ivanovo night, is the lighting of fires. Since ancient times, people believed that fire can protect against evil forces. Fire is the most powerful and effective purifying element: everything dirty and obsolete can burn in it, but the fire itself always remains clean. Fires on Ivanovo night were kindled in several ways.

The fire itself was designed to help the sun overcome the top of the sky, it symbolized the victory of light over darkness. By lighting the fire and keeping it up until morning, people seemed to welcome the new sun. The peasants tried to make a fire as much as possible - it was considered a matter of honor. On this occasion, competitions were often held - who has a higher and brighter flame. As a rule, several yards or farms gathered on a common fire, where the old and young took part in the preparation of a large fire.

Now, the organization of the holiday, trying to contribute to the local authorities.

Every district of the city has its biggest fire, songs and dances. The venue of the celebration is usually chosen near water bodies (sea or lake). Local newspapers publish a summary of events. Both before and after the festivities, thus comparing the size of the fire, the number of people who attended the festivities, as well as the amount of beer drunk these days. Beer is considered the main drink of this holiday. Beer producers long before Ivanovo day begin their advertising campaigns dedicated to the holiday. Drawings of valuable prizes are held in the afternoon from 22 to 24 June.

Of course, nowadays many of the customs are either forgotten or made purely formal. However, the holiday is alive, and still embodies the triumph of summer, fertility, flowering of vitality.