Nowadays, there are a huge number of different superstitions that have come to us from the distant history of our country. And if some of them can be explained even now, just by thinking a little and using logic (for example, if you spill salt, there will be trouble), then some, at least, are surprising.
Why, say, such a beautiful, harmless tree is considered a sign of misfortune? Its leaves are not poisonous, dangerous fruits do not grow on it, but most summer residents (especially in villages far from big cities) are afraid of it like fire?
Why were they so afraid to plant a Christmas tree in their garden or plot? Now we will try to figure it out! I have divided this article into two parts. In the first, I will analyze these signs and superstitions, and in the second, I will tell you where this story came from, according to scientists.
Why can't you plant Christmas trees on your property?
From the very beginning, it is worth noting that this myth is widespread throughout Russia. For example, in the northern parts, where spruces grow as often as birches or oaks here, almost no one knows about this superstition. And we will tell you why, but later. There are a huge number of different superstitions on this topic - If a tree grows taller than the person who planted it, it will soon die. If it is close to the house, then illness cannot be avoided, but if it is close to the window, then you will have a fever for a very long time.
Most people claim that this is because these trees are real energy vampires who use the energy of the living to help the dead. But the same can be said about Fir, which is also called the “tree of the dead.” In addition, there has not yet been direct confirmation that the person died precisely because of the tree.
In the meantime, I want to ask you to remember - did your grandmother or mother often tell you that planting a spruce on your property is a bad omen that can lead to the death of you or your loved ones? So, it turns out that such stories exist not only in our homeland. In Europe, too, there is a sign, one might even say, a beautiful and sad story.
When the colonists passed near Lake Keitele in Finland. They decided to stop there and planted a fir tree. For them it was something like a symbol of good luck. So, for example, all supplies and food were first left for a while at the trunk of this tree, and only then brought to the table. And it was believed that when one withered branch falls, one resident dies.
When the tree itself fell, no longer able to stay at such a height, the last old woman died. But this does not mean that the village of colonists died out - at that time there were already new, young nomads there who were heading to conquer new territories.
And despite the fact that this story again connects spruce and death, for Europeans this tree still means a good omen - the old ones leave, and the new generation comes, taking the baton from their relatives and continuing their path.
Now let's look at the scientists' opinions on this topic in order.
Firstly, this tree was usually planted in a single copy in plots. This was done because it was incredibly expensive and large when fully grown. The same birch or oak tree grows so that its branches go sideways.
Many Christmas trees, when viewed from a distance, can be shaped like a perfect triangle. And in height it easily surpasses other trees. It was precisely because it stood alone on the site that lightning often struck it. The peasants called this the machinations of the devil and nicknamed the spruce “unfortunate.”
Secondly, the houses, the roofs of houses that were built in Rus', consisted of flammable materials. And since this huge tree exceeded its size, it was enough for at least one small spark to fall from its top and the whole hut would immediately begin to burn in fire.
And this is precisely why in the northern regions they had not heard of such a legend - they knew very well about all these features and built houses in accordance with these very features.
Thirdly, then people were more concerned about their lives themselves, and not about simple aesthetics (as they are now, in fact), and the trees had a very thick crown and even a strong peasant would spend so much on cutting down such a tree that in the same time he could 3 -4 “ordinary” ones to cut down.
So we understand the reasons for all these legends and why they are not relevant now. After all, you must agree - if this tree were so terrible and cursed, then why do many people put them in their homes on New Year's Eve and have fun next to it, around it, and sometimes even under it?
This can be called one of the most magnificent examples that various superstitions, beliefs and signs do not appear just like that, they come from life. The most important thing is, don’t be lazy to find out the history of these very signs, and then, perhaps, they will no longer seem so strange and stupid to you.
Trees on a summer cottage or personal plot are not only an element of landscape design, but your own piece of nature within walking distance. However, not all trees have the privilege of being planted on a person's land. For example, many people, especially those living in rural areas, are afraid to plant a spruce tree near their home, believing that it is green or blue spruce on the site is a bad omen . Why spruce has received such a bad reputation, where this popular superstition comes from - read in the presented article.
Bad omen - spruce on the site: interpretation options
Spruce, ordinary green or blue, is a plant with good decorative qualities. The beautiful color of the needles, which does not change throughout the year, and the fluffy fragrant branches of this tree can decorate even the most inconspicuous-looking land plot, and on gloomy, gray and dull winter days they can add at least a little bright colors to the decoration of any area.
But sometimes people’s prejudices turn out to be stronger than any arguments and common sense. The same thing happened with the Christmas tree. For some reason, people imagined that a spruce on the site was a bad omen and did not promise anything good. Consider at least the interpretation options for this superstition:
- If plant a spruce near the house, within your yard- it will turn outdeath of someone in the household, as soon as the tree will grow higher than the roofdwellings. A sign popular in small villages and hamlets.
- Christmas tree planted next to the house will lead to death of the man who imprisoned her when will it become taller than this man.
- Spruce - tree of loneliness. If you plant it on a plot near the house, thenlonely household members will never find a mate(or the marriage will be unsuccessful), and divorce will happen in married couples.
- Spruce is a muzhegon tree.She drives men out of the house, and in young families she does not allow a son-heir to appear.
- Spruce on the site is a bad omen, becauseleads the dead. The superstition is due to the fact that there used to be a ritual rite when dead people were covered with fir branches.
- Spruce is a vampire tree.Planted on a plot, it sucks the vital energy from household members.
From the above interpretations, it becomes clear why some particularly superstitious individuals disliked spruce - after all, it has an unenviable popular reputation. People who are reasonable and free from any prejudices do not pay any attention to this sign and happily grow this tree on their site, enjoying its beauty and decorativeness.
What other trees cannot be planted near the house - watch the video:
Scientific basis for superstition
Almost all superstitions can be explained scientifically. Various scientists give their logical explanation for the sign associated with the spruce tree on the site.
What do historians say?
From the point of view of historical scientists, a bad omen - a spruce on the site - is associated with the living conditions of the inhabitants of Rus'. In the old days, the vast majority of houses in villages were built of wood. And spruce, as you know, has the ability to quickly ignite even from a small spark of fire. It is quite logical to assume that the flame from a tall burning tree could immediately spread to the house, to the outbuildings and even spread throughout the entire village, which would ultimately lead to a major fire and disastrous consequences (and it is possible that tragic deaths Same).
Another tendency of spruce, especially when standing alone, is to attract lightning strikes (it’s not for nothing that during a thunderstorm they do not recommend hiding from the rain under a tree). If a tree is struck by lightning, it can also result in a fire.
Another feature of spruce is its thick and massive crown. Now remember what peasant houses were like in Russian times: low, with a chimney. If a spruce tree grew next to such a house and after a few years became taller than this building, then the risk of getting burned in this house increased, since the dense crown could obscure the pipe and block the access of oxygen.
That is why rural residents in ancient times were afraid to plant spruce next to their houses. Over time, these fears grew into a bad omen that spruce on the site means death and misfortune.
Culturologists' point of view
Cultural scientists associate the appearance of the sign of spruce with the beliefs of some peoples of the Finno-Ugric language group, who considered this tree to be a link between two worlds - the world of the living and the world of the dead. For example:
- among the Karelians the rite of confession was widespread;
- The Komi brought fir branches to the sorcerer, who was near death - he also confessed to this tree and calmly left this world.
The Finno-Ugric peoples attached sacramental significance to almost all coniferous trees. Evergreen trees were a symbol of immortality and eternal life; divine power was attributed to them.
Opinion of bioenergy scientists
The version of bioenergeticists and esotericists is associated with the belief that spruce is a vampire tree. They claim that the Christmas tree draws out other people's life energy and produces negative energy, which has a bad influence on people, only in the summer season. In winter, spruce behaves exactly the opposite: the tree shares its accumulated favorable energy with others - therefore, those who have a hard time with the cold season are recommended to take more frequent walks through the spruce forest during this period.
Should you listen to signs?
Perhaps, in the time of our ancestors, the superstition about the Christmas tree was justified. With the help of signs, ancient people tried to explain the incomprehensible phenomena occurring around them, which allowed them to live in harmony with nature and the world around them.
Folk superstitions are undoubtedly a storehouse of wisdom and natural ingenuity of our ancestors. But in the 21st century, most of them have lost their relevance. The same applies to the bad omen about the spruce on the site. The vast majority of modern houses are built of stone, and the number of floors in them often exceeds one.
Spruce is also now regarded as a New Year's tree. Therefore, many people plant a Christmas tree in their summer cottage or garden. After all, you must agree that dancing around your own living symbol of the New Year is much more pleasant, fun and interesting than contemplating the dead beauty of an artificial Christmas tree. Blue spruce is especially suitable for New Year celebrations - its fluffy branches will harmoniously fit into the solemn atmosphere of the event.
Whether or not to listen to a bad omen about spruce on the site is a subjective matter for each person. Belief in various folk superstitions has, rather, a psychological aspect. Often, by trusting bad beliefs, weak-willed people protect themselves from the events of cruel reality: it is easier for them to shift responsibility for the negative onto some natural object and thus survive the trouble or grief that has occurred.
It is believed that planting a spruce is a bad omen. You can hear about this from residents of villages and private sectors who believe that there is no place for a Christmas tree in the yard or near the house. Whether this is so and what this sign is connected with, we will tell below. Why planting a spruce is a bad omen - answers from ancient legends Our ancestors collected omens, noticing events happening around them that led to one or another result. Most of these beliefs have reached us in their original form and still work today. Signs exist regarding almost everything that surrounds us: about animals, about plants, about the weather, about the house, about love, money, health, etc. It is a bad omen to plant a spruce on your property. And if the logic of some of them is obvious - if you spilled salt, it means you will soon cry, then some of the signs are frankly surprising. The bad omen about the Christmas tree on the property was no exception. It is worth noting that it is common in those regions where spruce is a rare guest. In areas with spruce forests there is no such belief. Almost everyone knows that planting a spruce is a bad omen for death, loneliness, childlessness or the birth of only daughters. If this tree, planted near the house, dies, gets sick, or is struck by lightning, you can soon expect the death of one of the owners of the house. During a thunderstorm, in the old days they never sought shelter under a spruce tree; they chose a birch tree, however, there were also many bad omens about it. Similar superstitions were found not only among the Slavs, but also in Europe. Thus, one of the most famous examples of folklore associated with spruce is the legend of a tree planted by the first colonists near Lake Keitele in Finland. This spruce was considered a symbol of good luck; the first fruits of the harvest were brought to it, and only after that they were served on the table. According to legend, every time one branch withered on a tree, one of the first colonists died. And then the tree fell, and after that the last surviving old woman, who was one of the first to come to explore new territories, died. After the fall of the spruce tree, only the descendants of the colonists remained alive. The latter went into the world of the dead along with the tree, which symbolized their luck, harvest and vitality. A bad omen - a Christmas tree on the site
So, why is spruce on the site a bad omen? In villages there is a belief that spruce cannot be planted in the yard, next to the house. It is believed that as soon as the spruce grows higher than the roof, a death will occur in the family. According to another variation, when the spruce grew taller than the person who planted it, he died. There is another interpretation of the relatively bad omen of a Christmas tree on the site. There is a belief that a spruce planted near a house will prevent the owners of the plot from getting married successfully, and married couples will get divorced. According to this superstition, spruce is considered the tree of loneliness. Another variation of this interpretation suggests that the spruce drives men out of the house. And they were not advised to plant Christmas trees near the house of a young family, as this could deprive them of their heirs. Another meaning suggests that spruce brings the dead, since previously the bodies of the dead were covered with spruce branches. In addition, there is a belief that spruce is a kind of energy vampire. However, esotericists say that this tree actively absorbs energy in the summer, and, on the contrary, shares it in the winter. Therefore, it is recommended to take walks in the spruce forest more often for people who do not tolerate the winter season well. The following proverb can also be called a reflection of the sign: In a pine forest - to pray, in a birch forest - to have fun, and in a spruce forest - to hang yourself. A Christmas tree in the yard is a bad omen: explanations from scientists. When asked why it is not possible to plant Christmas trees on a property, it is a bad omen, historians give other reasons. The fact is that houses in Rus' were built of wood, and a spruce planted next to the house could quickly catch fire from the slightest spark. In this case, the fire quickly spread to the house. The Christmas tree could have caused a fire in the entire village. In addition, do not forget that a single tree often attracts lightning, which can also cause a fire. And the third reason for the dislike of spruce trees in Rus' was that this evergreen plant has a very dense crown. Consequently, when the spruce outgrew the low peasant house with a chimney, with a strong wind it was possible to catch fire in the hut. From this point of view, the sign is quite logical. However, now houses, firstly, are not built from wood, and secondly, most private ones are built on two or three floors. Therefore, the sign cannot be called “working”. And here is what culturologists write: For the peoples of the Finno-Ugric language group, a tree is an intermediary between the world of people and the world of the dead, the lower world of ancestors. The Karelians had a custom of confessing to a tree. Among the Verkhnevychegda Komi, they brought a spruce tree to a dying sorcerer, before which he confessed and died without torment. Coniferous trees - spruce, pine, juniper, fir, cedar, etc. - were endowed with special sacredness. They symbolized eternal life, immortality, were a receptacle of divine life force, and had a cult significance Dronov T.I. Earthly existence - as preparation for the afterlife So, we see how our ancestors collected signs, on the basis of which they believed in certain properties of spruce. Meanwhile, in our time, spruce is a symbol of the New Year, and many people plant fir trees in the yard so that later in the winter they can dance around it. And how can you imagine a plot of land in a country house or a private house without trees? It is interesting that not only ordinary spruce is now planted on the plots, but also fir, which is also considered the tree of the dead, helping souls find their way after death. Canadian spruce trees are also popular, about which our ancestors have no signs at all. Whether to follow the sign or not is a personal matter for everyone. When trusting this or that sign, it is important to remember the psychological aspect. With the help of omens, a person shifts responsibility for what is happening to a tree growing in the yard, a tit knocking on the window, a croaking crow, or spilled salt. For some, this is an option for working with grief, in this way a person tries to survive the tragedy that has occurred, the death of a loved one. In “easier” cases, the psyche conveniently shifts responsibility for what is happening to signs, so as not to face an unpleasant reality that requires an even more unpleasant decision. It's no secret that thoughts materialize. And if, for example, you see black tulips and remember that they are unlucky, and you constantly think about it, you will easily attract this misfortune. This does not mean that our ancestors were superstitious and had absolutely cave mentality. No, their wisdom is still relevant today. Just remembering this or that sign, think about how it corresponds to our time. Believe in the magical and unknown, but do not forget about adequacy.
You will need
- 2-year-old Christmas tree seedling with a ball of earth
- Organic fertilizers
- Shovel
- Mulch: dry sawdust
- Abundant watering
- Sand drainage
- Stake and string
Instructions
Select a strong and healthy Christmas tree seedling that is two years old. Look for it in a large nursery that has a good reputation. It is also good to have a gardener or forester you know - they will dig a small Christmas tree out of the ground with you. In our latitudes, both ordinary and prickly fir trees and Canadian ones take root.
Bind tree to the peg with a soft rope in the shape of a figure eight. Water the seedling generously, mulch the soil around the trunk with humus, peat, hay or other natural material to reduce moisture evaporation.
Video on the topic
It's important to remember that spruce prickly blue - this is not independent spruce This is a unique species, and one of the subspecies of the familiar prickly spruce - a tree with green needles. Green, greenish-blue and blue-gray shoots may hatch from the seeds. The more saturated blue the seedling has, the more valuable it is. About 15 percent of all seeds planted turn out bright blue.
