What is karachun: the meaning of the Slavs

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

We all love the New Year, celebrate it on a grand scale, prepare tables and decorate the Christmas tree. But have you ever wondered where this holiday and tradition came from? Who is Santa Claus, what is Karachun, are they related to each other - we will try to find out today.

The meaning of the word "karachun"

Probably, many people know the proverb "What is good for a Russian is death for a German"? So earlier the word death was not pronounced, but they said karachun. Or, for example, a phrase from the film "Blind Man's Buff", in which Mikhalkov, referring to the sculpture, says: "Well, that's all! Karachun to you, Tsereteli!". That is, it immediately becomes clear that the word "karachun" means "death", well, or in the jargon of the thieves "khan".

But why exactly this word, where did it come from and who is Karachun?

Karachun. Who is he?

So what is a karachun? In fact, according to Slavic mythology, this is none other than the god of Death. He has many other names, of course. For example, Koschey, Bone God, Korochun, Koschey God, Chernobog, Koschey the Immortal, etc.

Such an evil spirit that brings cold, death, darkness, shadow. If you look at the oldimages that have come down from our ancestors, you can see a tall, gray-haired old man. He has a cold, hard and even angry look.

He had a warm hat on his head, and he wrapped his body in a blue or white caftan. But an invariable attribute was his staff, with which he froze all living things. If he touches the river with it, it will turn into solid ice. And if he touches the windows with his staff, they will be covered with frost. And if you go back, you can clearly see the connection between Karachun and Varun. It was Varun, according to the myths, who could freeze a person with one of his breaths.

But over time, the people's consciousness accepted the deity of Karachun as the current Santa Claus. Thus, today Frost is a glorious grandfather, bringing gifts to kids and managing winter.

Karachun Holiday

In mythology, the pagan god Karachun played an important role. It consisted in the end of the old year, when the old sun leaves, and a new one rises in its place. This day is also called the winter solstice. For the ancient peoples, it is one of the most important days of the year. And our Slavic ancestors celebrated it as the day of Karachun.

This day is considered the shortest day of the year. He was feared and honored. In addition, the day of Karachun was of great importance in the magical sphere. It was at this time that the line between our world and the other world was blurred. Spirits gained power, and there was a struggle between light and darkness. Therefore, divination and fortune-tellers were waiting for this day, as the best moment for their affairs.

Rites andtraditions

Mass Karachun was not celebrated, but they adhered to certain traditions and rules that must be observed. Some have survived to this day. True, slightly modified, but not yet lost their relevance.

What is Karachun? This is death, death, damage, therefore, in order to get rid of all the bad, a person had to ask Karachun himself about it, so that he would take away all the bad in the outgoing year.

For example, 2 weeks before the solstice, you need to start repaying debts, both monetary and moral. That is, to forgive the offender or to ask for forgiveness in front of someone. You need to try to finish important things in order to enter the New Year without obligations or with unfinished business.

Whenever possible, they kept fasting, people tried not to eat meat food. They had to purify themselves in body and soul, which means that bath days were held en masse.

The night before, all economic affairs were stopped. It was impossible to take on a broom or a rag. The hostesses should have already prepared everything, set the table, and decorated the hut.

Because the longest winter night terrified people, to help the light, they armed themselves and went out into the field in order to frighten evil spirits. Large bonfires were burning everywhere, because fire has always been considered a protection from evil.

In order to further instill fear in the dark forces, they put on masks and costumes more terrible. Also, people believed that it would save them from the revenge of darkness, because they do not show their faces.

Preparing for the new year

Beforehow to enter the new year, you need to do some things in order to have the most beneficial effect on the energy at home.

Need to clean the house. There are many rituals for this. The main ones are based on fire, herbs, water, that is, all 4 elements must participate in this process.

Also, housewives try to get rid of everything unnecessary, broken, old. This is especially true for dishes.

On any few days before Karachun (from December 18 to December 21), you need to carry out a general cleaning, clean the housing, ventilate all the rooms.

Bake a loaf of white flour, and in anticipation, prepare gifts for Karachun to be left somewhere on a bench or stump.

Go to the bath or take a hot shower with s alt, because the s alt will help wash away all the negative energy accumulated over the years.

Clean the house with herbs. Use sage, juniper, wormwood, or St. John's wort. You can buy aromatic oils or sticks. Any incense that pleases you will help in cleansing the room. Light a bunch of any herbs and smoke all the rooms.

So we learned what Karachun is. Meet the new year correctly, see off the old year and do not forget that the main thing is your pure thoughts and deeds.