Not a single name day is celebrated as massively as Tatyana's day. This is a church and state holiday. In Christianity they venerate the holy martyr Tatyana, who was tortured for her faith. January 25 is the day of Russian students. This date is traditionally celebrated by those who gnaw at the granite of science. For those and others, there are many beliefs, customs that have developed over the long history of the holiday.
A little about Tatyana
Martyr Tatyana was the daughter of a Roman consul. For her steadfast faith in Christ, she was subjected to numerous tortures, deprived of her eyes, several times tried to burn, inflicted a large number of wounds with a knife. But God healed her, and punished those who tormented her.
When she was thrown into the arena to a ruthless, hungry lion, he not only did not touch the girl, but began to fondle her.
Then came the death penalty, the executioners refused to kill her, asking her for forgiveness.
Tatyana was beheaded on January 12, 226 in Rome. According to the new style - January 25th.
Popular beliefs
First of all, on such a day, people noticed the weather. Snowfall foreshadowed a rainy summer, but clear weather with frost promised a favorable harvest. The starry sky and soft sunrise predicted an early spring, an early arrival of birds.
In order for the cabbage harvest to be good, women tightly weaved balls of yarn, symbolizing a strong head of cabbage.
The warm period of the year greatly influenced the lives of people, and therefore it was important to attract favorable weather, conducive to a good harvest. To do this, the oldest woman in the family, in another way she was called "big", baked a large loaf in the form of the sun, treated all members of the family.
If there was surplus, they were fed to pets. Moreover, the quality of the loaf also predicted the future. If during the baking process the dough was raised, a tubercle formed, then the family expected a successful year.
Flat tip - no special changes are expected, but cracked bread promised failure. In this case, the burnt crust must have been eaten in order to avoid problems. And best of all, if the birthday girl does it herself.
On the eve of Tatyana's day, our ancestors considered general cleaning mandatory. Spending the day in a mess and a mess was unacceptable.
After all, the girls named Tatyana were considered good wives and mistresses. But on January 25, as on any other church holiday, hard physical work was forbidden.
Love signs
On Tatyana's day, young girls from the early morning went to the river and cleaned the rugs, then hung them on the fence. According to them, young guys judged which of the girls would be the mistress and wife. And if the young man helps the girl bring the rug from the river to the house, then this meant a quick matchmaking.
If the young lady wanted to bewitch the guy he liked, then in the early morning a scrubbed rug was spread at the door of the house, and then lured the man. Anyone who wipes his feet on this doormat will fall in love with the girl.
Another way to win a handsome single man was a whisk. Girls made them from rags and feathers. Such a whisk should be left in the guy’s house, and if he doesn’t notice it during the day, he will fall in love with the enchantress. But not only the younger generation knew about this rite. And therefore mothers tried not to let their sons go and not to let very persistent young ladies into the house.
It has also long been believed that Tatyana's kiss on this day will attract good luck in heart affairs and success throughout the year. Holding a wedding on January 25 promises the newlyweds a happy life together. Also a good sign is the acquisition of a pet.
To give a family a kitten or a puppy a house is to gain wealth. A meeting with a red dog was considered especially favorable. Feeding and stroking the animal is a must.
After this, success cannot be avoided. At the top of the nearest hill they always made a wish.
Girls born 25 january were considered happy. Great success awaited them, an easy life. The boys were in luck.
Student Attributes
This holiday was not only churchly after the opening of Moscow State University in 1755. In 2005, January 25 became a public holiday - the Day of Russian students.
Students on this day came up with their own traditions that will help them in their studies. Tatyana’s day for many students falls on the period of the session, exams. That is why they were looking for a way to help themselves.
First of all, on the night of January 25, students leaned out of the window and called on the ball. In a different way, a freebie. It was necessary to shout “Ball, come!”, Shaking the test book. If you hear “Already on the road” in response, then study will be easy. This rite is so widespread that it is carried out differently in different universities. Some campuses even have a balloon monument. On the eve of Tatyana's day, students bring small money to his pedestal to appease the freebie.
Another way is to draw in the test book. On its last sheet depicted a small house, from the chimney of which comes smoke. The smoke itself should be long and swirling, but not intersect. If it was possible to draw it, then everything will be easy at the exams. But preparing for the surrender, reading textbooks and notes is prohibited. Even if the next day is an exam. After spending a day in preparation, passing the item will fail. It is better to have fun from the heart and drink for all students.
It is undesirable to wash clothes in which the exam was passed successfully. And vice versa, things from an undelivered discipline must be changed. Otherwise, the entire session will fail.
It was considered a good omen to receive a book as a gift. This will bring academic success. At the same time, no one should be denied assistance. If a person or animal needs something, then you need to help, feed, give alms. Even if a child asks for something tasty before dinner, you cannot refuse. Better to give something light.
Tatyana’s day is loved not only by all Tatyana, but also by all students. This day has an ancient, well-established tradition. He was always celebrated cheerfully, noisily, in a big way. In past centuries, on January 25, even law enforcement agencies did not touch tipsy students. It was believed that only in this way would they be able to pass all the exams perfectly.
