What things in Russia could not be passed from hand to hand, and what are these superstitions connected with?

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

In old Russia, it was not recommended to pick up some objects or pass them on to other people. It was believed that otherwise you can attract trouble both to yourself and to others. Sometimes this was done to show respect for things. Today some superstitions persist, but not everyone knows about them. Read why it was impossible to transfer weapons and bread to other people, and also where the iron gloves came from.

The bread that the souls of the deceased ate

Bread in Russia was attributed to mystical properties. The roots of the cereals were underground, where the land of the dead was located, and the ears stretched into the sky. At the expense of bread, people survived, continued their family. They baked it in the stove, on fire, and this was also a connection with another world. It was said that the souls of the dead flock to the steam that a fresh loaf exudes to recharge their energy.

Bread was sometimes appreciated worth its weight in gold, especially in lean years. It was impossible to pass it from hand to hand, especially across the threshold. As well as bringing it to the hut in the evening. Violation of this rule threatened misfortune. Perhaps, in the case of acceptance, the consideration of cleanliness played a role. If the bread had to be taken from someone, a clean towel or canvas should be used.

Money: cannot be transferred, and the left hand in desperate cases

Money was also taboo. They could not be passed from hand to hand. This rule is followed by many today. For example, traders believe that if such a ban is violated, then trade will fade, and the funds will become significantly less.

This sign comes from antiquity, when sorcerers carried out the so-called rituals for money to induce damage or "poured" troubles and troubles onto them. If funds were not transferred from hand to hand, then the result of witchcraft could not be expected. And in order to protect oneself from the evil eye, it was necessary not to take money in hand, but to lay it on a wooden object. It was believed that a tree can protect a person from damage and the evil eye, therefore tables, benches, wooden counters were used. You could just throw money on the floor. If this was not possible, the left hand should have been used to accept the money.

When a person accepting money was afraid that the thoughts of the giver were impure, then at the time of transfer he recited a special incantation. In order not to take on other people's troubles, it was not recommended to pick up coins found on the street.

It was also not worth handing over the money late at night. Most likely, it reflected an unpleasant practice, when a person was robbed and even killed under the cover of darkness. Money also should not have been submitted through the threshold, so as not to deprive the dwelling of safety and comfort.

Amulets that needed to be wrapped in a skin

Such important items as amulets and amulets, as well as dolls depicting a person who was damaged by the sorcerer, and the things of the magicians themselves were forbidden to be taken into their hands and transferred. This was done in order not to interfere with the process of witchcraft, not to cause the wrath of the sorcerer. Otherwise, one could incur trouble or become an enemy of the sorcerer, which is also very scary.

If such items still needed to be handed over, they were wrapped in a cloth or animal skin, trying not to touch them. It was only possible to carry these things in a bag, putting them on the very bottom.

Sharp objects: sickle and weapons, and how to keep your hands from hurting

In Russia, military weapons have been respected since ancient times. A dagger, a battle ax, a sword - only men had the right to touch them, but in no case children or women. Some superstitions still work today. For example, it is believed that a mother should not pass a sharp ax into the hands of her son, otherwise she will have health problems, in particular, with her hands.

Perhaps such a superstition goes back to the time when there was a custom to cut off the hands of the guilty. Or maybe the omen extends to military weapons, just today no one remembers this. In any case, only a warrior or a man defending his home had the right to take up arms. They were no less anxious about the sickle. If a person passed it on to another from hand to hand, it means that he wished him harm. The sickle had to be put on the ground, and it was lifted from it.

People had no right to step over this weapon. It was said that if this condition was violated, then the reaper would have back problems or he would be severely cut. It was impossible to pick up two sickles and carry them about each other, as this could attract gossip. In reality, most likely, this should not have been done, so as not to blunt the sickles. A sign that a sickle stuck into the ground or a sheaf brought trouble to a person could also arise due to compliance with safety measures.

Hedgehogs: how the iron gauntlets came to be

Today everyone knows the phrase "iron grip". Where did it come from? Everything comes from ancient times, when there were no cats in Russia and mice spoiled people's lives. To exterminate them, hedgehogs were carried from the forest. The thorny animals were planted in the underground or in the barn, where they successfully caught mice. While the hedgehogs were being carried home, they could severely puncture a person's hands. To avoid this, they used special gloves, which were made of rough leather or matting. The peasants understood that it was necessary to protect themselves not only from injections, but also from various parasites and skin diseases that hedgehogs carry on needles. In this case, mittens played an important role.

The customs of that time carried other prohibitions. For example, they tried not to cut these trees in Russia, for these reasons.