On the night of July 6 to 7, Ukrainians celebrate a very ancient festival, the festival of Ivana Kupala. Thousands of years have passed since the first celebration took place, but the festival continues to be celebrated and honored in Ukraine to this day.
This festival symbolizes the bond between humans and nature and is associated with the transition to the summer cycle.
Initially, this festival was more of a pagan nature. In ancient times, it was celebrated in the name of the Slavic god Kupala and the Sun. According to Christian canons, this is a day in honor of Saint John, the godfather of Jesus Christ. At one point, these two celebrations merged into one, and since then, the name Ivan Kupala emerged, consisting of Ivan (John - the godfather of Jesus) and Kupala (the old pagan god Kupala).
How the festival is celebrated and its most important traditions:
Searching for the mysterious fern flower.
Jumping over a bonfire. Young couples jump over the fire holding hands tightly. According to tradition, if the couple succeeds in not letting go of each other during the jump, they are destined for a great future together, usually forever.
Weaving a flower wreath.
Making straw effigies of Kupala and Marena. According to tradition, they must be burned or drowned at the end of the festival.
But be careful, as dark forces appear on the day of Ivan Kupala!
Straw Effigies of Kupala and Marena
According to an ancient legend, every year on the night of Ivana Kupala, the wedding of Kupala and Marena must be held as a symbol of the bond between two elements: water and fire, male and female coexistence.
They embody male (sun) and female (water) deities. These two figures represent life and death, and each year they must be remade, and at the end of the celebration, they are drowned, burned, buried, or torn apart and scattered over the fields to invoke the fertility of the land and a good harvest in the current year.
In different regions of Ukraine, Kupala and Marena are made from different materials.
Willow branches are the most commonly used building material. Kupala and Marena are decorated by the girls with field or garden flowers, berries, candies, multicolored ribbons, and of course, a wreath of periwinkle flowers.
Sometimes they add a bit of thistle flowers to make it difficult for the boys to break the effigies. And today, women spread broken "Kupala" branches in the garden for a good harvest.
The Magical Fern Flower
On the night of Ivana Kupala, young men go through the forest searching for a fern flower, which blooms for only a few minutes and then disappears.
According to legend, fern flowers bloom extremely brightly on this night. Around midnight, right before the eyes of the viewer, the sprout suddenly appears from the fern leaves. It begins to rise higher and higher, and blooms so brightly that it is almost impossible to look at it. At this moment, you must be extra attentive. As soon as the flower fully opens, an invisible hand plucks it so that no one gets it.
But if you manage to find and pick the blooming fern, you will be rewarded with magical powers. The earth will open up before you, and hidden treasures will appear. You will immediately begin to understand the language of animals and birds.
Instead of hunting for the fern flower, young girls search for Chervona Ruta. According to legends, this flower can still be found in the Carpathian mountains. On the night of Ivana Kupala, Chervona Ruta changes its usual yellow color to red for just a few minutes. If a girl manages to pick the flower at this moment, she will be very lucky in love.
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