Why in Russia women were forbidden to sleep naked

Why in Russia women were forbidden to sleep naked

Categories: History | Society

In pre-Christian times in Russia, nudity was treated as calmly as in ancient Hellas. A beautiful, healthy naked body was considered beautiful and many rituals and rituals were, in one way or another, associated with nudity. But everything changed after baptism — the demonstration of the naked body began to be considered shameful and sinful, and female nudity was completely banned, even at home, at night and in bed.

Why in Russia women were forbidden to sleep naked

After a rather long pagan period, when a naked woman in Russia personified fertility, prosperity and beauty, centuries of persecution of nudity came. Christianity controlled people in all aspects of their lives, including in the intimate sphere.

Sexual relations, which brought joy to people and were previously considered a natural manifestation of human physiology, have been revised and dissected by theologians and clergymen. They were declared base, sinful and permissible only for the God-pleasing purpose of procreation.

Getting pleasure in bed was out of the question, and besides, men and women were obliged to "watch themselves" and not succumb to temptation and "animal instincts". In order to observe this important rule, it was impossible to allow sinful thoughts that female nudity could lead men to.

A woman sleeping next to her without clothes, as it were, inclined her partner to copulation, involved in sin, like Eve Adam. Clothing protected morality, saved from temptation and was a sign of a true Christian. This also applied to married couples — the wife not only went to bed in a long nightgown, but also made sure that her husband did not see her changing clothes and did not watch her naked at all.

Why in Russia women were forbidden to sleep naked

Strange as it may seem, but at one time in Russia there was even a ban on sexual intercourse without clothes. A long linen shirt was not removed by women even during intercourse, which was incredibly uncomfortable, but it was Orthodox and highly spiritual. But even this did not seem enough to the churchmen and they identified special days when the spouses could have sex.

Many scholars believe that the persecution of nudity, especially female nudity, is directly related to the desire of churchmen to completely eradicate paganism. Most pre-Christian holidays were held with games and ritual dances, and summer ones, such as Ivan Kupala, also with rites associated with undressing. In the spring, during the sowing season, women could walk around the fields and gardens naked — this, according to our ancestors, helped to harvest a good harvest.

Why in Russia women were forbidden to sleep naked

Divination and other magical rites, considered sinful by Christians, also took place with nudity. Isn't this a reason to forbid walking, dancing, working and sleeping undressed? But some researchers are sure that nudity during sleep could have been negatively perceived long before the arrival of Christianity. For a long time, the Slavs believed that a naked person was not of this world.

The ethnolinguistic dictionary "Slavic Antiquities" says about it this way: "when a naked person is no longer a person or not quite a person." No wonder the priests of pagan gods often conducted their services without clothes — the naked body helped to establish a connection with the subtle world and communicate with otherworldly forces.

Why in Russia women were forbidden to sleep naked

Most of the pagan evil spirits, in which our ancestors believed, also did not know clothes. Mermaids, bunnies, kikimores and buffoons did not wear robes and at best covered their nakedness with long hair. Witches, before beginning their demonic rites, also got rid of clothes. Naked, they flew on broomsticks and frightened lonely travelers in forests and churchyards.

In Russia, it was believed that a person without clothes was vulnerable to evil spirits, but while awake it was not too dangerous. But the sleeper was considered defenseless, and doubly so if he was not dressed. Therefore, in some Slavic tribes, even before the advent of Christianity, there was a ban on sleeping undressed.

Why in Russia women were forbidden to sleep naked

The custom of sleeping in clothes is so ingrained in the minds of the fair sex that many ladies still believe that sleeping naked is strange and indecent. Meanwhile, doctors say that such a dream is much more useful and restores strength better, as it gives the body a break from the clothes that we have to endure for days.

Keywords: Orthodoxy | Shirt | Temptation | Body | Christianity

Post News Article

Recent articles

25 photos in which it is not clear where the reflection is, and where the reality is
25 photos in which it is not clear where the reflection is, ...

In our time, editing a photo with Photoshop so that it seems like a picture from a non-existent reality is easy. But to make a ...

10 ways to use dishwashing detergent for other purposes
10 ways to use dishwashing detergent for other purposes

Many ordinary things keep secrets. Even a simple dish detergent has potential that most of us don't even realize. What else can ...

Historical photos that allow you to look at the past from a different angle
Historical photos that allow you to look at the past from a ...

History as a subject, especially at school, can become a real nightmare, consisting of a list of dry dates and a meaningless ...

Related articles

How in Russia there was a custom to kiss on the lips
How in Russia there was a custom to kiss on the lips

Most scientists believe that people borrowed kisses on the lips from birds. The process of feeding the parents of the chicks from ...

Fashion temptation never fades away: hot Babes recreated the iconic poses of the stars of Playboy
Fashion temptation never fades away: hot Babes recreated the ...

Busty beauty with playful Bunny ears have always been key elements seductive cover of Playboy. Classic hot chips not boring the ...

75 most sexy shots in movie history
75 most sexy shots in movie history

Sex and sexuality in the cinema — important components. They do not always play a key role, but very often the sex scenes are ...