In the days of the old, all houses were build
of wood. A house was thought to be a live being
and was treated as such. It had the power to
protect a harmonious sem’ya (family); it could also
fall apart if the people who lived in it, did not live in
Harmony and agreement.
The building of the house always began with
the selection of a desirable spot. There are many
different rituals, which were done in order to better
the space of land that was chosen. A clay sphere
was rolled around the perimeter of the house and
then buried. Coins would be buried in the place of
the future house, in order to attract money and
wealth. A pine branch or several cloves of garlic
can be hidden beneath the threshold in order to
prevent evil persons or spirits from entering.
Windows were made to be of small size, in order to
make it difficult for dark and evil spirits to get in.
Bundles of dried Saint John’s wort and sagebrush
were hung on the windows, then were crossed
together at night, to close the pathway between
our world and the world of spirits.
The most important thing in each house was
the furnace. In fact, it was so important, that very
often the furnace was built first, and only then a
house would be built around it. It was not only the
place where the food was prepared, but was also
the place where sem’ya gathered. In addition to
that, the furnace was the symbol of warmth and
comfort. The furnace was always kept clean,
constantly whitened and often decorated with
different ornaments and symbols. Before the
christening of Rus’, almost every house had an altar
with idols of Slavic deities present; after the
christening of Rus’, the idols were replaced by an
icon. A horseshoe was an important Slavic
keepsake and was often hung inside, above the
entrance to the house; it symbolized fortune,
happiness and well-being. It was also considered
an obstacle, which dark and evil spirits could not
pass. If a horseshoe is hung “feet" up, than it is
believed it will bring prosperity. If it is hung “feet"
down, it is believed it will protect from dark and ill-
willed people. On the outside, on either a wall or
the door, a wooden wheel was hung. It is an
ancient symbol of the Sun and is considered sacred
in Slavic culture.
The ritual of hanging a wreath upon the door
during some holidays may also come from Slavic
tradition and is a symbol of rejuvenation of life and
happiness. A wreath in Slavic culture is a symbol of
eternal Rod and protection from evil forces. In
Slavic tradition, a wreath was often placed under
the first sheaf of hay, for a larger harvest next
year; under the brood-hen, so she would bring many
eggs; in the crib of a newborn, for health.
It was believed that bells push away and
destroy evil and dark spirits. If a broom is placed
upside down in a home, it will rid of bad spirits.
Pots, which were often used in place of heads of
scarecrows, were also believed to lead away evil.
Mirrors were believed to deflect evil: they
were hung above the entrance to the house, placed
in cradles of infants and always carried by women.
The pumpkin was a sign of fertility; pepper
and garlic - health; sunflower - success; poppy -
longevity; a sack - wealth and prosperity. All of the
above were not just decorations, but all served a
The symbol of the Sun is also very
meaningful in Slavic tradition, for it provided with
warmth and life. Usually, Sun was symbolized as a
circle, a circle with a dot or even a cross. A cross,
as a symbol, came long before Christianity and was
used in Slavic culture and tradition for thousands of
years. Different solar symbols were placed in and
around the house in order to protect from evil and
attract good fortune and prosperity.
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