Ukrainian beliefs, omens and superstitions Ukrainian people have an incredibly strong emotional connection to their roots and the traditions, beliefs that come from the sources of Ukrainian culture. Many of the main Ukrainian holidays (including the main religious ones) often contain a fair share of traditions based on beliefs, omens and superstitions that have pagan background, and have remained unaltered for centuries. Legends and ancient omens reflect our ancestors vision of the universe, as well as some understanding of natural phenomena. There was a close connection between human life and natural phenomena, which is why people were totally dependent on them. Beliefs, prohibition signs, superstitions are all remnants of pagan beliefs, paired with daily life routines. They relate to earth, celestrial bodies, fire, lightning, household items etc. For example, land, in the imagination of the Ukrainian people, was considered a living organism, it was often called a nourice, a saint, people would swear on it, and curse by its name. Ukrainians believed that the earth could feel pain, consequently the attitude towards anything connected to it was always very respectful: Do not hit the earth, because it’s hurting. Do not spit on the ground, because creates life. Similar rules and attitude applied to other objects of pagan worship: Do not play with fire, do not trust the water. Do not eat over the well or frogs will infest your household. Do not peep into the oven, or you will not grow a mustache. The attribution of supernatural properties to domestic items also came into Ukrainian folklore through rituals and cults. In Ukrainian culture mini replicas of hatchets, bells, spoons etc. have long served as talismans, protectors against evil forces. People also often kept a trough, broom or rake in the house to keep the evil away. A mirror, on the other hand, was considered a work of the devil. That’s why, our predecessors feared, or at least had high deference for these kinds of objects. Ukrainian people’s idea about the world, the universe even, were also reflected in beliefs. Here are just a few: Stars are human soul. There are as many stars in the sky as there are people living on earth. When you see a falling star - someone dies. The sky is a huge blanket. The Milky Way points the birds’ way to warmer lands. When you hear thunder – it’s God riding his wagon. Land will not thaw until thunder strikes. The central character in all Ukrainian superstitions and beliefs is a human and their role in the fast paced and ever changing world. Folk beliefs and ideas about the world ‘absorbed’ the diversity of ideas that prevailed at various times, they can be regarded as a kind of ‘museum’ where these ideas are permanently kept. Here are some other sayings and beliefs: If a black cat crosses your path, hold on to a button, and you’ll elude bad luck. If you meet a woman on the road with full buckets – that’s good luck, if her buckets are empty – that’s bad luck. If a girl gets bitten by a dog, she will be married soon. If a woodpecker hammers the wall of the house, someone will soon die in this house. If in the spring, one has money with them, when they hear the cuckoo sing for the first time – they will have money all year round. Swallows or storks nesting on the roof of a house promise good fortune, happiness and prosperity to the ones living there. When you eat bread, do not let any crums fall to the ground because they are your strength. You can find superstitions and omens in the form of summary statements, as well as legends, tales, etc. #FridayFunFacts brought to you by UDW Info source: see-you.in.ua
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 13:15:00 +0000
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