Everyone knows carols since childhood - funny refrains sung on the eve of Christmas. However, not everyone knows where this name came from and what was originally understood as Christmas. Let's talk a little about what Kolyada is.
The birth of a new Sun - the day of the winter solstice
From the school curriculum on natural history, even children know that the Sun passes four important points in its annual cycle:
- winter solstice is the shortest day of the year;
- days of the spring and autumn equinoxes, when day equals night;
- summer solstice is the longest day of the year.
In ancient times, our Slavic ancestors understood Christmas as the birth of a new Sun after the longest night and said about this day: "It increased by a sparrow's lope." So they celebrated Kolyada on the winter solstice, when the baby Sun began to arrive.
What is Kolyada? This is the newborn Sun. According to the beliefs of the ancient Slavs, the snake Karachun on the shortest night, December 21, strives to swallow the baby Sun. To drive him awaypeople dressed up as animals: bears, goats, rams. Costumed people in masks and skins (fluffy sheepskin coats) went from house to house, carrying in their hands the symbols of the Sun and the first evening star.
The hosts joyfully opened windows and doors for them, throwing treats into bulky bags. These festivities are depicted very colorfully and vividly in the film "The Night Before Christmas", based on the work of the immortal Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol.
Origin of carols
Today everyone knows what Kolyada is - a fun winter holiday. The name of the festive hymns "carols" came from the name of the new Sun. These kids sang verses under the windows all Christmas time, from December 24 to January 5, for which they received gifts in honor of Kolyada.
It is customary to let all the singers into the house and treat them, because together with them the owners let Kolyada himself and his blessing into the house. Kolyada loves poems that are short and longer, songs are cheerful and provocative, and festive games and rituals are unforgettable and bright, truly fabulous.
Here are the usual "barkers" that they call the owners, calling them out the door and offering to treat carolers who have come:
- Kolyada, Kolyada!Are the hosts at home?
- Home!
- Kolyada, Kolyada!Did you bake cakes?
- Baked.
- Kolyada, Kolyada!Are the pork legs boiled?
- Vareny.
- Kolyada, Kolyada!Ready to regale?
- Ready!
What is Kolyada for children?
Kolyada is very fond of both big and small, butfor children, it has a special charm. Kolyada is a kind of magical world where good fairies live, where Santa Claus gives gifts, and the Snow Maiden fulfills her cherished desires.
At the present time, these holidays also coincide with the days of the long-awaited winter school holidays, so for schoolchildren this is a double joy. And although the pragmatic generation of the 21st century does not really believe in fairy tales, but somewhere in the depths of children's hearts, it is on New Year's holidays that the expectation of a miracle appears.
Now the New Year is preceded by Christmas time - this is due to the transfer of the calendar to the so-called new style. Until 1917, the New Year came immediately after the winter Christmas time. By any calculation, the winter days at the junction of the outgoing and the coming year turn into one unforgettable whirlwind of fun, fun, songs and treats - how not to love them?
To this day, for children, Kolyada is an opportunity to learn funny verses and go from house to house, collecting rich treats, sweets, smiles and laughter. Both girls and boys ring the bells and knock on doors, calling the owners with the question: "Can I carol?"
Practically no one will refuse little guests, except perhaps the most dry and unsociable people. Even grandmothers taught us that carolers must be let into the house and pay tribute to the born Baby, in whose honor they sing. Now, the baby is understood as Christ, but this symbolism is very similar, because the sun is also a male symbol, the beginning that gives life and warmth, like Jesus of Nazarene.
Poems for Kolyada
Tyry-pyry, choh-choh-choh-
White snow fell on the ground.
He warmed everyone with a blanket
And remained white-white.
If there was no snowball, It would be dark:
The sun in the sky from above
Light tired.
Kolyada-Kolyada, You come here soon, Bring us masks, Bring us fairy tales, Make us more happy
The growing sun!
Poems for Kolyada can not only be memorized, but also composed! Of course, not everyone knows how to do this, so you can also use these "congratulations":
Hey boys and girls!
Put your books away:
Christmas have already come to us
A miracle holiday brought.
Everyone did their best, Now it's time for fun:
Sled, skis, jokes, laughter, White-white pure snow -
Time of joyful pleasures.
With the winter new sun you -
One!
Let your head spin -
Two!
Look at the sky -
Three!
Count the stars in the sky
And sing carols!
In a word, this is one of the most fun and favorite holidays of the year!
