仲夏節
一年中夜晚最短的一天
是很多歐洲國家都會慶祝的日子
尤其是斯拉夫以及斯堪的納維亞國家
在這一天他們在頭上綁花環
圍著營火唱歌跳舞
感謝山川自然月亮太陽
然後迎接夏天的到來
還可以預測未來愛情的運勢
好好享受這一天自己占卜的小遊戲吧
已經找到愛人的人
記得牽他手跳火的時候要小心喔
愛你們，
妙雅
Tomorrow is the first day of the Summer
Midsummer's Night /Kupała's Night or St Johns Night
Poland still shares some traditions with its Slavic and Scandinavian brothers which seem to have some roots in old pagan traditions. The best example of that is probably Kupała Night (Noc Kupały) which is celebrated on the shortest night of the year, generally the night of June 21/22. The night is dedicated to the elements of fire and water, the moon, the sun, love and fertility while the occasion is also a day for perspective lovers to celebrate.While the origins of the name are unclear it is thought to have come from either the Russian word to ‘bathe’, the Slavic goddess of fertility Kupala, or possibly the Indo-European word kump meaning group or community.
Whatever its origins, many younger people take the opportunity to celebrate by organizing bonfires with dancing and partying into the night. One tradition sees people jumping over flames to cleanse and protect against evil and bad fortune. The most famous part of the evening however is when young women go down to the river and set wreaths with candles afloat. If the wreath is picked out by a bachelor it signifies imminent marriage. Young women, followed by young men, also head into the woods and forests (on the pretence) of searching for the kwiat paproci (fern flower) a legendary flower which supposedly only blooms on this one night in the year. Anyone who finds it will enjoy good fortune, power, wisdom and wealth. If the young man comes out of the forest wearing the young lady’s wreath this is a sign that the two are joined in love.
Noc Kupały is often mixed up with or celebrated jointly with St. John’s Day Eve (Noc Świętojańska) which is celebrated on the evening before the Christian St. John’s Day (June 23/24). It is thought that this holy day originates from the time that the Christians tried to assimilate some pagan celebrations into the Christian calendar. It is believed that as St John made baptism with water so on this evening water would be consecrated to protect against evil and St. John became the celebration’s patron.
A mixing of the pagan traditions of Noc Kupały and the religious traditions of Noc Świętojańska seem to have occurred with church attendance and wreath making on the same day not uncommon. Nowadays, in many Polish cities, huge events are organised on St. John’s Eve (June 23) where these traditions meet and include Wianki in Kraków or Cuda Wianki .
PL
Noc Swiętojańska, Noc Kupały, zwana też Nocą Kupalną, Kupalnocką czy też potocznie Sobótką to nazwa słowiańskiego święta związanego z letnim przesileniem Słońca, obchodzonego w najkrótszą noc w roku z 21 czerwca na 22 czerwca. Przeprowadzane w jej trakcie zwyczaje i obrzędy słowiańskie miały zapewnić świętującym zdrowie i urodzaj. W czasie tej magicznej nocy rozpala się ogniska, w których pali się zioła. W trakcie radosnych zabaw odbywają się różnego rodzaju wróżby i tańce. Dziewczęta puszczają w nurty rzek wianki z zapalonymi świecami."
"Dzień Kupały - najdłuższy w roku, noc Kupały - najkrótsza, były jednym ciągiem wesela, śpiewu, skoków i obrzędów." - pisał Józef Ignacy Kraszewski w "Starej Basni"
Part of the text via http://www.inyourpocket.com/poland/Midsummers-Night_72214f
Photos via Maciej Bielec, elendilon.pl, m-lednicamuzeum.pl, wiano.eu, Piotr Kras, epoznan.pl, police.pl, muzeum-wegorzewo.pl, culture.pl, goldenline.pl, garnek.pl, lamus dworski, zielarka.com.pl,
wreath meaning 在 Wreath Meaning - YouTube 的必吃
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