First marriage night: how was it in Russia

First night in Russia was arranged in a special way and had a lot of differences from the similar traditions of other Nations. The peoples of Africa, Europe and India, the right of the first night meant intimate contact of the bride with a foreign man. Often it was the tribal elder, the noble Lord, or simply the first counter.

In Russia the right to deprive girls virginity traditionally belonged to her future husband. According to Church canons to get married marriage is sacred and any attempt on someone else's marriage bed is a sin. Later feudal lords were often ignored this law and enjoyed the right of first wedding night, but the Church is not welcomed.

The time of the

Wedding ceremony in Russia was a complicated mystery that combines Christian and pagan traditions. Time weddings are always carefully chosen. Many peoples of the world first Bridal intercourse could occur on the third or fourth day, and then later (some Muslim countries, India etc.).

The Russian wedding night happened during the wedding celebration, so it was very important to have the wedding at the Church allowed to date. By Orthodox law you can't have sex during lent and religious holidays, and therefore weddings in this time not appointed.

Ritual preparation for the wedding night

The Russian people wedding night for a long time called the podklet. This is due to the fact that the bed of the young always arranged in a cool place: in the cellar of the hut (pictured), the closet, the barn or the bath.

It always happened on the territory of the bridegroom, as maid after the wedding went to live with him. Bridal bed was prepared on a solid wooden base. It was covered with bedding from girl's dowry. Preparing the bed for the bride and groom were engaged in women postelnicu among matchmakers. Also the bed could be mother or sister of the groom.

On the bed laid a lot of ritual objects that were supposed to protect the newlyweds from damage and to provide them in the future comfortable existence. Such amulets were treated to a small rye bundles, sacks of flour, mattresses, quilts. On top of the bed was covered with a white embroidered cloth. Under the bed of postelnicu put a few logs dovetail, poker, juniper branch. These items were believed to protect the couple from evil spirits. The wood symbolized the future offspring, so they had to put in more.

Seeing newlyweds

In the thus prepared "bedchamber" the newlyweds were seen off by a crowd of guests: friends, matchmakers, relatives and generally anyone who wanted to participate in the bustling and exciting action. Farewell was accompanied by songs, dirty jokes and advice. Boyfriend whipped in the box, expelling the evil spirits. Then he had to pay a ransom postelnicu.

Alone

After all these rituals, the newlyweds finally left alone. The door closed on the lock, and by her left a guard of letnica. He was supposed to protect the newlyweds from evil spells and evil spirits. But guests often stayed at the door and simply observed the young.

Left alone, the bride and groom first ate bread and chicken. This food was supposed to give the couple fertility. After eating, the girl was obliged to shoot down a guy's boots. Thus, it showed humility before her future husband and has shown a willingness in all things to obey him. Also, she had to ask my husband for permission to go with him. Then necessarily had to be sexual intercourse. About this several times to inquire a friend. As soon as the girl lost virginity, marriage was considered physically confirmed what publicly declared to all the guests. Young could bring to the feast and delight them with songs of the most indecent, or guests do come to the ground floor; to the newlyweds and stayed there with them until dawn.

Innocence is the main attribute

The most important point in all of this ritual was to demonstrate the bride's shirt with blood stains. If the bride retained her virginity before marriage, she was considered an honest. Otherwise, she has brought disgrace not only on themselves but also on the parents. On the neck of the matchmaker and parents is unfair to the bride to hang the clamp. Father brought a glass of wine with a leaky bottom. The girl could even return to the fold.

The loss of virginity on the wedding night, symbolically marked by hanging is embroidered with red thread towels and smashing pots. After that the girl became "pullets", and the guy is "young". After the wedding night the girl was dressed up in the clothes of a married woman and she wore a matching headpiece. The whole ritual had to be strictly observed, otherwise the new family was threatened with infertility and poverty.