You may have heard interesting facts about Russians. One of them is that they are the people of duality, and among the opposite things is that they are believers but superstitious at the same time. Rituals and customs are integral parts of any culture, no less important than the achievements of science or examples of high art.
The most ancient rituals and customs have reached Russians through the thickness of centuries in the form of signs, superstitions and holidays. Familiar superstitions that guard against broken mirrors and salt spills, in historical terms, become a source for restoring the archaic type of thinking. An analysis of the origin of superstitions sheds light on the true meaning of signs that unconsciously live in the human mind. One of the symbols of good luck the Russians believe in is the figs. What do they have to do with each other actually?
Why Russians are so superstitious
Russians pay attention to various signs and are very superstitious. Most of these signs appeared in the pre-Christian era, and neither the traditional religions that came to Russia more than 1000 years ago, nor the ideologists of the communist regime for almost 70 years of the existence of the Soviet Union could destroy their faith in them. If you have to live among the Russians, you should know how these superstitions are explained and how to respond to some of them.
Bad signs or omens are handed down over generations in Russia such as a bird or a butterfly flying into the house could mean someone’s passing away, returning home only after reaching the gate and not looking in the mirror means failure, to meet a woman with empty buckets is a sign of troubled day ahead, and to say happy birthday in advance means a bad fortune.
Russians talismans
Old Russian amulets and talismans are an integral part of the life of the people since the earlier time. Each of the houses in the country must have had several amulets that protected both the house itself and the people who live in it. The Russians endowed sacred symbols with divine content and believed that through magical ornaments higher forces protect people from evil spirits, diseases and problems.
Amulets and charms of the inhabitants of Ancient Russia were divided into verbal and material. The former included spells and prayers, many of which they still use. But the material can be divided into symbolic and substantive. Symbolic ones mean images of environmental objects endowed with special power, and subject ones are represented by all kinds of little things and jewelry containing all the same symbols.
1. Sagebrush
Dolls can be stuffed with dried sagebrush, and it also made into wreaths which are placed in the hallway, so that not a single evil spirit could enter the house, and envious people could not harm the people inside. The use of sagebrush is still very common in Russia. It is usually added into the bouquet decorating the main room in the house, where guests often visit.
2. Horseshoe
The Slavs believed that the horseshoe found on the road promises good luck and protection from evil spells. This symbol is now found in many houses, only one shouldn’t specifically look for it by the roadside anymore, they can just buy the charm in the store. Why does this old Russian talisman mean so much to people? The secret lies in its form. Hung upside down, the horseshoe resembles a cup – a symbol of the womb and fertility, which also holds wealth and happiness in the house.
3. Bell
Symbols and amulets of Russian always have deep meanings. These include a bell made of silver or ordinary steel, able to withstand evil spirits. It is necessary to hang it above the front door or near the window, so that the bell can ring and scare away evil spirits with its sound.
All about figs
Ancient magicians called figs as “the fruit of truth”, it was believed – while it was in your pocket, you cannot be deceived. And in some countries, spies and liars were forcibly forced to eat figs, believing that it unleashes the tongue and makes them tell the truth.
In the East, the belief is still alive today – when you go to the doctor’s appointment, you must certainly put figs in your pocket – then the doctor will not be mistaken in making a diagnosis and will not be able to deliberately lie to you, attributing non-existent diseases, the treatment of which costs a lot of money. Figs are mentioned even in the Bible – it was the fig leaf that Adam and Eve used to cover nudity, and examples of eating the fruit to quench thirst and gain strength.
In ancient India, figs were considered sacred trees, healing any disease. According to legend, one day Buddha became seriously ill and decided to hide from the scorching sun under a fig tree. Suddenly, the fruit fell on him, which he ate and immediately restored his energy. Since then, incredible healing properties have been attributed to figs.
In many ancient books on healing and magic, figs symbolize fertility, abundance, prosperity, numerous offspring, and therefore it is recommended to always keep it on the table in the house – if you want to be rich financially or want many children and grandchildren. If you want to charm someone or get support in business – treat the object of desire or potential partner with any dish with figs made by yourself. And before you go on a date or important negotiations, put a dry fruit under the mat at the front door or attach a fig branch to the door so that everything goes well.
And figs are grown at home for good luck. Figs growing in the bedroom contribute to good dreams, and in the kitchen – to abundance.