The Christmas Symbols of Belarus |
Belarus info - Belarus Facts |
The Christmas is coming soon to all families in the world! This is a holiday that unites everybody, brings love and joy, and helps feel how close we are to each other. However universal it may be, Christmas has its peculiarities in every country. Let's see what Christmas symbols our ancestors Belarusians used to have.The Belarus BearThis mighty animal symbolizes the bond with the "lower world". It was considered the chief animal among all and was related to the god Veles. Nowadays, the bear is one of the main symbols of Kolyady--the merry time of singing, dancing, and performing for getting something in return (sweets, souveniers, etc.), just before Christmas. The GoatThe goat is a symbol of a harmonious family life, prosperity, and good luck. On Kolyady, somebody--the funniest person--always dresses like a goat and dances in the most hilarious way! The HorseThis is the most important animal character in the Belarusian mythology. It is connected with three social groups simultaneously: peasants, military people, and fun-makers. The Stork
The SunThe sun, on the other hand, symbolizes the feminine beginning. The mythology implies that an ideal housewife is like the sun in the family. |