"To twist a wreath - to love life" - these words have been heard to us from the most ancient years. In those days, a wreath of flowers, ears of corn and berries was not only a woman's whim; it was a kind of symbol of Mother Earth, her eternal life force. A wreath - weaving of living steppe flowers of the mother's soul - our ancestors at a solemn hour laid on the head of a girl with faith in her female soul wrapped in white wings swan fidelity: "Yes, be, girl, blooming, and be, girl, fertile and rich, like the holy Mother Earth!"

The wreath in the ancient beliefs of the ancestors is our holy soul Immortality, the secret of procreation, its prosperity and wealth.
A wreath is a symbol of happiness, an image of eternal girlish beauty, when the braid is to the waist, and in the eyes of the starry sky. A wreath is the best decoration for a girl when the groom in a wreath of oak leaves is nearby. On the wedding day, the young woman was bathed in fragrant water infused with steppe flowers. A smartly dressed beautiful charuna was carefully put on her forehead with a whisk with bright and dark ribbons: this is how it should always be on a long field of life - happy days and sad days.
The main flower for wreaths is periwinkle (bindweed). No wonder the people say: "Crawl, periwinkle, so that love meets love." From time immemorial, the periwinkle has been winding, so that girlish beauty always develops with it. Green periwinkle, fragrant basil is a symbol of first love and girlish beauty, brought from Iria in the spring along with migratory birds. It is also cruciform, because it grows in all directions of the world, it is fragrant, wreaths are woven from it for a wedding, therefore they love that holy weaving of the souls of our forefathers. The good spirits of the family harmony then bring love and understanding to the young and the young. Periwinkle wreaths are also woven at funerals and at birth. The periwinkle planted on the graves is everlasting memory for the dead, and the flowering periwinkle is a declaration of love. This is that eternal "Cross" or "crossroads" of eternal life with the boundless starry sky Ancestors.
On the day of the wedding, according to ancient custom, the young woman made a sacrifice to her grandparents - she threw a handful of zhita (wheat) into the fire. From that "life" was the word "life" (life): "wife" - femininity; husband - courage, power. It was a great respect for the Beregina of the family, the Divan and the Rozhanitsy, especially Mother Earth and the great goddess Mokosh. Once the wedding was held late in the evening. After this ritual, the sorcerer took a cup with a honey drink, drank it for the health of the young, then passed it on to the young so that they could finish the sacred drink. After that, a green wreath was removed from the head of the young woman and they began to trample it, which meant farewell to innocence. Then the clergyman took the young by the hands and led them to the dance, and all the rest, also holding hands, joined them, danced, sang and clapped their hands.

It is at the time of the spring and summer solstice, during the awakening and fertilization of the earth, that people themselves experience a craving for love, creating a family and procreation, so the vast majority of weddings took place at this time, less - autumn sometimes. best age marriage for boys was 18-25 years, marriage for girls - 16-23 years. best time weddings, except for spring-summer, was considered the time from August 15 to November 14, as well as from the New Year to Lent before Great Day.

Periwinkle is also decorated with a wreath after the completion of the harvest at the merry holiday of the god of the harvest, the Savior. Periwinkle is also known as a love potion. As soon as a guy and a girl eat a leaf of periwinkle, passionate love will break out between them. A periwinkle wreath is hung over the door and windows to evil spirits did not enter the house. Periwinkle wreaths were also worn on the heads of criminals who were led to execution in order to ward off evil spirits in this way.
If a periwinkle wreath is a symbol of purity, innocence and honest girlhood, then viburnum is the whole spiritual life of a woman: her virginity, beauty and love, marriage, joy and sorrow, kindred feelings. Through viburnum bridge, every girl must pass through this reserved border, because three inseparable sisters live on the other side: Hope, Faith and Love. The birth of the Universe of the goddess Lada, her fiery trinity: the Moon, the Sun and the Dawn is associated with viburnum, hence the name viburnum comes from the ancient name of the sun - Kolo. Flowering viburnum - it's time for love for girls. At the wedding, the loaf, the bride's outfit, is decorated with the color of viburnum, because in color - eternal beauty, strong love, virgin purity and innocence. Girls weave red bunches of viburnum into wreaths at a merry harvest festival. When the viburnum fades, it is a sign of sadness; when it staggers without wind, this girl yearns for her sweetheart; when she lowers the branches, she is sad. Walking around viburnum - looking for a sweet, betrothed. Ripe viburnum berries are a mature woman, and broken ones are abandoned. Kalina has the magical ability to hear, see, think and speak. Nymphs like to make wreaths from viburnum clusters.

On the Kupala holidays, in the morning, as soon as it dawns and the girls wash themselves with dew and Tirlich-potion, they all go together into the forest and gather flowers for wreaths in the field. Gathering twelve different types flowers (amulets), sit down somewhere by the river and weave wreaths. Guys shouldn't see this. Each girl weaves two wreaths. While singing:
"... Oh, sow wreaths, yes, for all Christmas time, Oh, for all Christmas time, for all holidays, But early, early - for all holidays ..."
When the wreaths are woven, the rest of the herbs are thrown into the water or scattered, singing:
"... I walk around the garden, I plant grapes, I planted them, and I water them.

Further, the girls dance with wreaths - each girl holds two wreaths. Raising them up to the sun, the girls slowly walk one after another and sing Kupala songs. In the evening, these wreaths are put on the water and they wonder who, when and with whom they will marry. Cornflowers, marigolds, saffron, parsley, parsnips are considered to be love herbs from which wreaths are woven ... Whisks of mint, lovage, oregano, cornflowers, hatchets, wormwood were amulets from the evil eye and witches' encroachments, so that evil spirits could not harm health and , especially, the holy commandment of the Earth - to be a mother.

Mint is considered a talisman of the child and his health.
Lovage - a symbol of love, consent; attracts the love of a girl or woman. "Bathing in lovage - girls will love," - this is how the proverb says.
Oregano - a symbol maternal love and health of children.
Cornflowers are a symbol of boyish beauty and kindness, girlish modesty and tenderness.
Hatches - field grass - have become a symbol of the protection of fields and fields.
Wormwood means the bitterness of life, being a talisman against witches and devils.

A girl who has lost her virginity cannot wear a wreath. Lose a wreath - lose your virginity. . A woman and a "veil" do not dare to put a wreath on their heads. The girl who lost her wreath was called "striga", or "cover", because she was forbidden to walk with her hair open - she had to cover her head with a scarf. Until recently, such a girl was ordered to have her hair cut, and the gates of her yard were smeared with tar or pitch.
To give a wreath to a dear one is to surrender to him. Throw a wreath on the water - guess about the future. Putting the wreaths on the water, they sang magic songs, because it was their sacrifice, first of all, to the goddess of love Lada and her charming daughter Lele, so that they would weave those flowers into one wreath and that he would go to that young man who glorifies himself with courage.

Donnik is a symbol of fidelity, has magic power reunite separated spouses.
Hops are a symbol of fertility, youthful strength and love. It is also a symbol of courage and courage, flexibility and intelligence. When a young woman walks down the aisle, her mother showers her with drunkenness.
Parsley, like wormwood, on Rusal Velikden protects from nymphs and mermaids.
Red poppies mean beauty and youth and their transience. A wreath of red flowers is a symbol of girlish purity and beauty. A young man is compared with a flowering poppy. An unripe poppy intoxicates the head, and therefore became a hint of stupidity: "Eat, fool, because it is with poppy." Poppy has a magical power that protects from all evil.
Lily is a symbol of girlish charms, purity and innocence. It contains a magical symbol of femininity, because she herself is the essence of the water element. ancient name flower - krin, which has a common root with the word "well". (krinitsya)
Grapes are a symbol of life's fields, joy and beauty of a newly created family, in which the husband is a sower, and the wife grows and cherishes the family tree.
White lilac - modesty, young family life.
Violets are joy, but purple violets convey a disappointing longing for the dead.
Other flowers were revered by our ancestors:
Ruja-rose - a flower resembling the sun, the flower of the goddess of love Leli. She is the first among flowers and is a symbol of goodwill, prosperity. Red rose - girlish beauty and purity. "King flower" is associated with blood and is a symbol of the Taurus tour, and therefore the sky. Mallow or guns, they call a rose, rosehip, mallow, sometimes - rue. Her greenery is joy, thorns are sadness, flowers are glory. Mallow, like cornflowers and marigolds, the girls decorate their heads, weaving it into a wreath. These beautiful flowers are used in wedding ceremonies. A wreath of roses symbolizes health: as flowers wither, so a person grows old.
Kalina, raspberry, wild rose - three sisters who do not know how to "neither wash nor spin", but they know how to "cut, chop, let rivers pass." They are used in conspiracies, since their causticity is identified with a prick as a form of magical contact when blood appears. That is, the road, trials, overcoming obstacles, after which a miraculous conception and a magical dream occur, like a kind of eternity.
Rue symbolizes longing and bitter life. In conspiracies from bleeding, it occupies an intermediate place between mint-rue and guns.
Seals, wild flowers - a symbol of fertility, growth and fruiting, and therefore the harvest.
Peonies are the flowering of girlish beauty and maturity.
Marigolds are the beauty of youth.
Irises - peace and vitality.
Daisies - awaken love
Narcissus protects the girl from misfortunes and troubles.
Fern - attracts and fascinates the guy.
Brothers of the field, or Ivan da Marya, a brother and sister who, not knowing about their relationship, got married and death does not come to them for this grave sin, are a symbol of the warning of love by blood.
The quinoa is a symbol of need and poverty: "Make a house out of a quinoa, you don't know about someone else", "here is a delicious meal - quinoa with garlic."
Lily of the valley cures heart disease.
Elecampane - the root of nine forces, strengthens and restores health. Woven wormwood, lovage and garlic are woven into a wreath from witch encroachments, against spells and the evil eye. The latter protects a person from troubles and misfortunes, especially from vipers.

A wicker wreath with ears of corn is a symbol of well-being and fertility. A sheaf of rye is brought into the house on Christmas Eve; a sheaf of rye or a wreath woven from rye is placed in the heads of the bed of the newlyweds on their wedding night. Wheat in wedding songs is the bride, oats is the groom. Linen was seen by our distant ancestors as a symbol of girlish beauty, hemp - a betrayal of a sweetheart.
Nettle has evil power, mother-in-law is compared with it. In order to find out some secret in a dream or to see their fate, they put sleep-grass under the pillow.

Hair is a guardian of the human soul, so ribbons protect it from the eyes of others.
The ribbon is cut just below the braid to hide it. When the girl grew up as an orphan, she wove blue ribbons into her braid; to those kind childless people who asked her to become their daughter, she gave a ribbon from a wreath or a handkerchief in which the seed of a lovage was worn. People at a meeting presented such a girl with bread, clothes and wished her to become happy and rich.
Since ancient times, our great-grandmothers knew many different secrets when and how to weave a wreath, they knew recipes for how to keep flowers in wreaths so that they look fresh longer. Ribbons of different colors were woven into the corolla, each of which was a symbol: light brown - Mother Earth-nurse; yellow - the sun; light - beauty and youth; blue and blue - sky and water; orange - bread; purple - crimson wisdom - sincerity, sincerity; pink - prosperity. On the left end of the white ribbon, the sun was embroidered with gold threads, and on the right end with silver - the month.

The colorful wreath on the girl's head is the secret of the holy wedding of Mother Earth with the holy spirit of the starry sky. In that divine marriage, a powerful faith in immortality is the path to the future, where Love reigns, for there is no faith higher than Love.

From the book by Valery Voytovich "Myths and legends of ancient Ukraine"

A wreath (from the old Slavic word “gift”) is a ring-shaped decoration made of flowers, leaves, branches, sometimes also made of materials imitating natural ones. AT folk traditions- a ritual object, an element of decoration for performers of rituals, a talisman.

A symbol of reward, honor, as well as completeness, perfection, immortality and greatness. The image of the wreath correlates with the symbolism of the head as the center of spiritual power and the circle as an image of eternity, as well as with the symbolism of vegetation as the personification of vitality. The crown in many traditions was an attribute of the gods.

A wreath is a ring woven from herbs, branches, flowers. The wreath is a traditional decoration not only for the Slavic, but also for many other peoples, and has a very ancient history. Wreaths existed in ancient Greece, where they were awarded to winners of various competitions, heroes, warriors, rulers in Rome, China, and India.

In the worldview of the ancient Slavs, the wreath was a solar (solar) symbol. Its very form has a magical meaning, it was perceived as a fusion of perfection and unity in the form of a circle, a ring. Until now, there is a belief that the wreaths woven by the girls with their own hands contained the great and mystical power of the amulet.

Initially, the wreath was a ritual item that was woven for holidays - seasonal, sacred, weddings, and others. The wreath is a real charm. Since ancient times, objects and things that have a hole were considered charged with a special power that could scare away entities or negativity that are nasty to a person. This is due to the feminine principle, a symbol of female nature and magic, a symbol of the birth of life. Such traditional magical objects were rings, hoops, rolls, stones with a natural hole...
The wreath protected from the "evil eye", from "evil spirits", he was called the "sorcerer of the soul" - there was such strength in him that he saved from bodily and spiritual wounds. It had to be protected, losing a wreath meant great shame and misfortune. This is stated in old legend. A girl was walking along the viburnum. A boyfriend met her and said: “Take off the wreath - you will be mine.” Mom did not order to take off the whisk, but the guy was so good, he spoke so beautifully, and his affectionate look warmed his heart. The girl took off the whisk, and the guy turned into a terrible devil and took her to him.

Wreaths were hung over doors and at the entrance to ward off evil spirits or destroy the evil thoughts of an evil person or a person with a "bad eye". Wreaths were placed under the first sheaf of a new crop from rodents. They put it under the pillow of a woman in labor to ward off the evil eye and help in future childbirth. They also fumigated with a wreath on fire, created from special herbs, sick people.

In ancient Rome, the symbol of the year was a circle or an oval. This is where the tradition of festive New Year's wreaths came to us, with which the Romans decorated the doors of their houses. On January 1 of each year, the Romans held a holiday in honor of the god Janus: they hung oval-shaped wreaths decorated with ribbons and cones on the gates and doors of their houses. Janus (Janus) - one of the deities who knows both the past and the future; he is the god of the sun and of any beginning. He was revered and respected, he was asked for protection and blessings for the upcoming works. Hence the name of the first month of the year January (Januarius) in honor of this god.

A later tradition of decorating a house with a circle of fir branches with candles came to us from Western countries, where Christmas is celebrated on a large scale. And it originated among the Lutherans, who, like Catholics and Protestants, celebrate Christmas on December 25th.

The first Christmas wreath for his little pupils was made by the Lutheran theologian from Hamburg, Johann Wiehern. The children were so looking forward to the holiday that they kept asking if it was already Christmas. It was then that the symbol was born, denoting Advent (the period of fasting, waiting and preparing for the Nativity of Christ) - the Christmas wreath. Wikhern's wreath was a circle of spruce branches fixed on a wooden wheel, and 24 small and 4 large candles inserted into them. Every day, the children lit one candle (large candles were lit on Sundays) and thus could calculate how many days were left before the holiday.
The idea of ​​decorating a home with a Christmas wreath was so popular with Western Christians that it quickly spread and caught on.

Spiritual meaning is also invested in the Christmas wreath. The circle symbolizes eternal life, greenery is the color of life, candles are the divine light that illuminates the world on the day of the great Christmas.

A wreath is a traditional decoration among the Slavs, but few people know where the tradition of weaving wreaths came from and what such an unusual headdress symbolizes.

The very word " Wreath” came from the Old Slavonic veno “gift”. A wreath maid is a woman who weaves and sells wreaths. A wreath is a ring woven from herbs, branches, flowers, which is worn on the head in the form of an ornament. The wreath is a traditional decoration not only for the Slavic, but also for many other peoples, and has a very ancient history. Wreaths existed in where they were awarded to the winners of various competitions, heroes, warriors, rulers, in Rome, in China, in India.

Wreaths were hung over doors and at the entrance to ward off evil spirits or destroy the evil thoughts of an evil person or a person with a “bad eye”. Wreaths were placed under the first sheaf of a new crop from rodents. They put it under the pillow of a woman in labor to ward off the evil eye and help in future childbirth. They also fumigated with a wreath on fire, created from special herbs, sick people. According to the herbs that were woven into the wreath, they judged the location, mood, condition, position of the girl. For example, a wreath of mint in Poland meant virginity, and a wreath of pea shoots with full pods meant a girl's unwillingness to marry an unloved man. A wreath of laurel leaves in Rome was considered a sign of military glory and imperial power, and of oak leaves was awarded to soldiers who showed special courage in battle or saved their comrade. Myrtle wreaths were considered by the Romans to get rid of intoxication, so feasts were often held in such wreaths. But a wreath of prickly thorns was intended for those condemned to death. The wreath of orange flowers among the Arabs was intended for the bride as a symbol of fertility. The Chinese gave the olive wreath to writers, poets, writers.

Making a wreath is a whole ritual. In various tribes, as well as on various holidays, the weaving of wreaths was accompanied by numerous traditional elements. Girls usually do this. The ritual implied a certain time of weaving, the number of wreaths, sizes, shapes, different kinds weaving and composition. All this was a sacral-symbolic code that corresponded to this or that event. Special attention paid to the composition of the wreaths. If today wreaths are woven for fun or as a tribute to an ancient tradition from any herbs that come to hand, then in ancient times each type of wreath consisted of certain plants, for example, during the mermaid week and in, wormwood was woven into the wreath as a remedy against evil spirits. In addition, wreaths, which consist of certain herbs and are worn on the head, are a real aromatherapy that can give a beneficial state, tune in the right way, and even help in curing some diseases.

Initially, a wreath was a ritual item that was woven for holidays - seasonal, sacred, weddings, funerals and others. The wreath is a real charm. Since ancient times, objects and things that have a hole were considered charged with a special power that could scare away entities or negativity that are nasty to a person. This is due to the feminine principle, a symbol of female nature and magic, a symbol of the birth of life. Such traditional magical items were rings, hoops, rolls, stones with a natural hole (Chicken God). Due to the fact that the wreaths were also amulets, they decorated pets and various parts of their house, both outside and inside. Wreaths decorated not only people and livestock, but also houses and buildings, wells, poles, cemeteries, they threw them on fruit trees in gardens and roofs of houses. In some regions, special wreaths were woven for cows, goats, sheep, and in the villages of Pomorye even the custom of weaving wreaths for geese, turkeys, chickens and other poultry was preserved.

As for the festive and ritual purpose of the wreath, there are a lot of different traditions associated with the use of this simple item. Livestock was milked through the Kupala wreath or milk was filtered. They climbed through a large wreath themselves, as if symbolizing a new birth, which left illness, negativity and trouble in the past. Also, through the wreath, they dragged various things that they wanted to give new life or new powers. They looked through the wreath during certain ritual games, drank and washed through it. There are more than enough purposes of the Kupala wreath in every region ancient Russia, tribe or settlement had its own characteristics and methods of its use.

At the end of a holiday or event, wreaths were used either for further protective actions, for example, they decorated a house, placed them in gardens from pests, worms and hail, put them under a hen, used them for, or burned them in a fire. There were many fortune-telling with the help of wreaths. For example, fortune-telling is known Slavic holiday the summer solstice of Kupala, when woven wreaths are thrown into the river and the fate of its owner is determined by their behavior. There are many interpretations of this fortune-telling: a sinking wreath - death, a floating wreath - a long life or a sinking one - a year without marriage, according to a wreath floating or sticking to the shore, they determined in which direction the house of the betrothed. In addition to fortune-telling with the help of wreaths thrown into the river, wreaths were thrown onto a tree to find out who promises a quick marriage (whose wreath will catch on a branch), left in the yard and watched whose wreath will wither faster (misfortune threatens), put under the pillow to see prophetic dreams and so on.

Due to the fact that the wreath (circle with a hole) is considered symbol of birth and new life, it was an indispensable attribute of weddings. Along with a wreath, rings, kalachi, loaves with a hole in the middle were also traditional attributes of weddings. All these are symbols of new life, love, happiness. The custom of the Slavs also included the tradition of giving a wreath to a girl as a sign of a proposal for matchmaking. The bride's wreath symbolizes the new birth as a wife. Renewal of man, reset old life and entry into a new life. This is, in a way, a symbol of the dying of the old, girlish life, the renewal of the soul and body and the birth of a new life as a married woman. Wedding wreaths, unlike festive ones, were usually kept for a long time or even for life. Wedding wreaths were kept in chests, they were placed in a red kut, where they, safely drying, stood long years, sewn into the pillow of the newlyweds, put under the cradle of the newborn. It is possible that it is ancient tradition decorations with wreaths at weddings, the exchange of wreaths between the bride and the groom, served as the prototype for rings, which then began to be made in forges especially for weddings, and today in jewelry workshops.

There was a custom to weave a wreath at the last harvest. At the end of the harvest, the last sheaf was left, which is also known as "Veles on the beard." This sheaf was left in the field or brought to the house, where it was kept until the next year, as a talisman that would attract a good harvest next year. In addition to the last sheaf, there was also a wreath of the last mowed ears. Such a wreath was put on the head of the beautiful girl, which was a symbol of good luck, good fertility, a symbol of the goddess of fertility, who gave people a good harvest. In this wreath, the girl came to the settlement where the holiday was held and where, of course, she was the main character of the celebration, who was praised and thanked for the bountiful harvest.

Wreaths have long been an indispensable attribute of funeral ceremonies. Wreaths are laid on graves or left at the place of death, floated on the water in case of a shipwreck. In modern funeral ceremonies, wreaths are a tribute to the memory of the deceased. A wreath as a ritual object at a funeral symbolizes the same birth and eternal life. A circle with a hole in the middle symbolizes the transition of the souls of the deceased to another world and his birth in a new body, in a new quality, the renewal of the soul, the purification that the death of the physical body brought to the soul. Also, the wreath can be understood as the end life path, the beginning of a new path, whether in the physical world or in the Navi world. Due to the fact that wreaths were an indispensable attribute of weddings, there is an assumption that in ancient times wreaths were used in funeral rites only at the funeral of children, adolescents or young people who did not have time to get married or get married. Thus, a symbolic wedding was arranged. Along with the funeral and wedding wreath, there was also a custom to bury unmarried girls in a traditional wedding dress(outfit), which is known to this day. There is also an assumption that wreaths are the oldest concepts of bird souls that build nests (wreaths) near their graves and are waiting for their new incarnation, but this is just a theory.

Subsequently, wreaths of leaves, branches and flowers began to be replaced with artificial materials that could last longer. It is believed that after wreaths began to be made of metal, royal crowns appeared, which became a distinctive element of the ruler's clothing.

How to weave a wreath

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A wreath (Greek stephanos, lat. corona) is a headband, twisted from leaves and flowers, similar to a crown, but much less durable and much more indicating a temporary difference than indicating power. Wreaths were not always worn as head decorations, they also served as offerings, gifts with the meaning of the circle (durability, strength) when rendering honors and at funerals. In ancient times, the symbol of the ring was combined in a wreath with the symbol of the life force of plants. Wreaths were laid on the heads of the winners of competitions, victors, but at the same time they also decorated the heads of sacrificial animals. In Christian symbolism, a wreath is often a symbol of victory over darkness and sin, for example, a wreath of a virgin or a wreath that a girl carries at the first communion among Catholics; the bride's wreath, often made in the form of a crown, has the same meaning. In the Bible, Isaiah (28:5) says: "In that day the Lord of hosts will be a magnificent crown and a glorious diadem for the remnant of His people." Wreaths of flowers serve as symbols of earthly joys and a lifestyle immersed in luxury. A wreath of ivy leaves, according to an old folk belief, allegedly protects against Now during church holidays, God's temples are decorated with wreath-like garlands of branches and flowers, symbols of eternal life, resurrection and joy.

The crown of thorns of Christ should be taken as a parody of the crown of roses of the Roman emperor Caesar. In this regard, it is considered an attribute of such saints as Mary Magdalene, Veronica and Catherine, while saints Cecilia and Flavia are decorated with a wreath of roses.

. Real crowns were often made in the form of metal wreaths. From the point of view of the science of symbols, the origin of such transitions is quite amenable to explanation (Latin “sogopa” and English “crown” simultaneously mean both a wreath and a crown), although, of course, the meaning of greatness is not in the first place in a wreath. Laurel wreaths were a symbol of Apollo, wreaths of parsley (or olive branches) during the Nemean games - Zeus, wreaths of ears of corn were dedicated to Demeter (lat. Ceres), wreaths of pine branches - to Poseidon, wreaths of fennel - to the Phrygian god of agriculture Sabazius , wreaths of oak leaves adorned the heroes who saved people from mortal danger.

Ukrainian women's wreath is not just an ornament. The wreath is the strongest Slavic amulet. In the Ukrainian people, it is believed that such a power is hidden in a wreath that it relieves pain and protects hair.
What wild flowers are in the wreath? And what do they symbolize?
Chamomile - gives people health, kindness, tenderness.
Kalina - beauty. Periwinkle - a symbol of life.
Cherry and apple blossoms - maternal love.
Cornflower - Flowers gently of blue color, like the eyes of a girl, are woven into a wreath as a symbol of beauty, health, strength.
Mac - a good dream. People's attention has always been attracted by the bright beauty of poppies. The people sing: There is no better color from the poppy head. There is no kind more sweet from the mother. This beautiful flower has become a symbol of girlish beauty. The guys clung poppies to their buttonholes. The red color of the flower symbolized sincere and pure feelings.

But in addition to flowers, multi-colored ribbons are also woven into a wreath.
Light brown ribbon - earth-nurse.
The yellow ribbon is the sun.
Green ribbon - beauty and youth.
Blue and blue ribbon - water and sky.
Orange ribbon - bread.
Purple ribbon - human wisdom.
Pink ribbon - well-being.
White ribbon - the memory of the ancestors.

Ukrainian wreaths of artificial and natural flowers with ribbons as a girl's headdress were world famous.
There is every reason to believe that the Ukrainian wreath with ribbons, which since ancient times has been an integral part of the Ukrainian national costume- there is a wish for a "clear peaceful sky" above the head of the one who wears it. This is a kind of amulet from everything bad and unkind.
A wreath for a Ukrainian girl was a symbol of girlish honor, girlhood, he protected her from the "evil eye", from "evil spirits". In summer, a wreath was woven from fresh flowers: cornflowers, poppies, daisies, marigolds. The wreath is also a symbol of eternal love, a symbol of the infinity of your kind.

Wreaths were left on trees and attics from lightning, placed under the first sheaf to increase the next harvest, placed in a mother hen's nest, in the cradle of a newborn, hidden under clothes from witches, hung in fields and gardens. Girls washed themselves with water from a wet wreath for beauty and health.
The wreath was given to men as a talisman if they went to war.
To make a talisman for love, childbearing, wealth and happiness, garlic, onions, ribbons, ears of corn, sweets, rings, and special magical herbs were woven into the wreath.
A wreath - made of artificial flowers, threads - was often worn on the groom's hat, protecting him from the evil eye.

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It was the custom to give a wreath to a beloved (beloved) as a sign of matchmaking later developed into an exchange of rings - betrothal. Previously, after the wedding, the bride threw into the crowd of girlfriends not a bouquet, but her own wreath. Whoever catches it will get married sooner than others.
Our ancestors realized that it was with their “head” that they understood the world and influence it. Therefore, with the help of headgear, they sought to protect themselves from the evil eye and other spells of malicious people. There was a belief that wreaths nailed to the doors provide health for the whole family for a whole year.

Weaving wreaths people began a very long time ago. For example, it is known that the ancient Romans met in myrtle wreaths at feasts, which were then called symposiums. And not without reason: they believed that such a wreath relieves intoxication!
And the Romans crowned with wreaths of myrtle for civil prowess and a successful quick war of their heroes. br/>

Oak branches adorned warriors who saved a comrade in battle. By the way, the oak is dedicated to the beloved god of the Romans - Jupiter.
The ancient Romans and Greeks presented a wreath of laurel to their compatriots for military exploits, acting or poetic talent. "Laureatus" in Greek - "crowned with laurel". From here, we note, the laureates of all subsequent eras and peoples came out!

AT Ancient Greece the one who was about to recite the verses of Aeschylus or Simonides was put on a myrtle wreath. So they expressed special respect for these poets.

The highest Athenian ranks wore wreaths as a sign of power. With a myrtle wreath in their hands, petitioners came to them as a sign of respect.

A wreath of terribly prickly thorns relied on those condemned to death. Christ was crucified in it.

According to a famous myth, Aphrodite was wearing a myrtle wreath in a dispute about beauty. As a result, it was to her that Paris gave the ill-fated apple.

And the Greeks believed that the muse of erotic poetry Erato and the god of marriage Hymen wore a myrtle wreath.
Wreaths for real men.
In the Middle Ages, until orders and medals appeared, wreaths were military insignia.

AT Western countries there used to be a custom to give a wreath to a loved one or a loved one as a sign of matchmaking. Later it was transformed into an exchange of rings - betrothal. And after the wedding, the bride threw into the crowd of girlfriends not a bouquet, but her own wreath. Whoever catches it will get married sooner than others.

By the way, in countries with a warm climate, a wedding wreath of orange flowers was woven. "Orange blossom" literally translates as "orange blossoms". Over time, such a wreath was replaced by the traditional bridal bouquet.

The wreath is a symbol of girlhood.
In Russia, their traditions are associated with a wreath. The wedding wreath was considered a symbol of girlhood. Married women did not wear wreaths, as did married widows or brides who lost their virginity before marriage. The latter, as a sign of shame, could be “awarded” with half a wreath. And adulterers were supplied with a wreath of sheep's wool.

orange blossom
The bride's wedding wreath was kept for happiness in marriage. They hung them near the images, put them in a cradle so that the child would grow up healthy, and gave them as an amulet to adult sons when they left to serve.

To enlarge magical power a wreath, the most incomprehensible things were woven into it, for example; garlic, onion, hot pepper, red threads. In addition, bread, oats, coins, sugar,

On Thursday before Trinity, our ancestors “curled wreaths”. Twisted rings, without breaking, branches on a young birch and tied. The first wreath is for yourself. The second is for a loved one. Subsequent - on relatives. On the Trinity wreaths went to develop. A wilted or self-developed wreath promised death or celibacy.
A dream about a lost wreath foreshadowed seduction.
And on Trinity, the girls wore a wreath of herbs and flowers on their heads all day. In the evening, each threw her wreath into the river. Whoever has a wreath to the shore will get married.
According to popular wisdom, ugly girls and girls with bad skin should wash their faces from a wreath thrown into the water in order to become more beautiful.

amulet
In Russia and in Europe, the wreath was considered a talisman. So, heading to the forest lake, it was supposed to put on a wreath with wormwood - a sure remedy for mermaids.

Wreaths of oak branches protected fields, gardens and livestock from harm.

After St. George's Day, wreaths were thrown on the roofs of houses so that the witches would not harm the livestock.

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