Modern people are spoiled by the benefits of civilization and usually take them for granted. Indeed, why do we need a well, when every apartment has a tap from which water flows? But our ancestors perceived water as a source of life, and people who were able to dig a well and find clean water underground were treated with special respect.
In ancient times, before starting the construction of a new settlement, it was necessary to make sure that there was water in the area. Therefore, the digging of wells undoubtedly played a very important role. Digging wells always began with the search for water with a vine, which outwardly resembled a kind of "shamanic" actions.
Feodor Kolodeznik's Day (June 21) in Russia was considered the most suitable for finding water and digging a well. Nowadays, few people know about such a date, but in the distant past it was a special day, when digging a well was bound to be crowned with success.
Let's think about why before (in the old days) they did not rush to dig a well in every yard, but went to fetch water from a public well. Do you think that Rusich was unable to dig a well? I doubt it! There is another reason. The places for digging wells were carefully selected. It is no coincidence that living and dead water is mentioned in Russian folklore at every step. And the fairy tale about Ivanushka, who drank some water and became a kid? Remember?
With the coming of Orthodoxy to Russia, the digging of wells acquired new trends and traditions. They were necessarily consecrated, on some days it was not allowed to take water from the well, and the wells themselves were decorated with icons or carved with crosses. Starting the digging of the well, the workers must go to the church so that no malicious intent would go over to the water.
If today one of the most popular are concrete wells, then in Russia the production of wells was carried out exclusively from wood. Oak was rightfully considered ideal in all respects, but aspen was often used to build a well. Particular attention was paid to tops when digging wells and arranging them.
Digging wells in Russia brought with it many interesting customs and beliefs. For example, men threw weapons into the well after the end of their warrior's path, and the wanderers left any of their things near the well that came across in order to safely reach the next one. The device of the well, like many other things, was associated with mysterious forces in those days. For example, it used to be customary to dig a well in the middle of the village and to dig a well in the forest. The first was used for their own household needs, and the second people "placated" the forest dwellers.
Promotional video:
Of course, in many ways we have already moved away from the past and do not believe in most of the signs associated with wells. However, we nevertheless adopted some traditions, and today private wells are in increasing demand. In some areas, the only way to organize water supply is to dig wells. The cost of structures is not at all high, but it is simply impossible to imagine life without them. Country wells have become part of our lives very firmly and have become quite common and commonplace. If we decide to build a summer cottage, we usually dig a well first.
Since ancient times in Russia, wells were treated with reverence. Various medicinal properties have been attributed to well water. It is worth saying that it is not unreasonable. Wanderers, whose path passed through the well, took water into flasks and left some thing near it, believing that the mystical power would allow them to safely reach the next one. Perhaps, only bells enjoyed greater mystical attention and obedience in Russia than wells.
The girls in love, according to legend, with trepidation counted how many seconds the water in a bucket of well water would fluctuate if a ring presented by the betrothed was lowered into it.
The elders had long conversations with well water, identifying it with age-old wisdom. In general, the well was treated as a place where you can get away from worldly worries for a while, be a little alone with yourself.
It is curious that in ancient times, in some villages, two wells were built. One in the center of the village was often used for drinking and household needs. Another was built on the outskirts or in the forest. People believed that the creatures inhabiting the forest could be propitiated by giving them the opportunity to use clean, drinking water. They rarely went to the second well, only in those cases when someone fell ill, and the help of the "owners of the forest" was needed.
Another curious custom was to dip weapons into the water of your own well before the war. The warriors believed that a sword lowered into the water became smashing. And sometimes weapons were deliberately thrown into the well. This gesture symbolized the rejection of the further path of war. Subsequently, a real hunt for these relics began. Indeed, apart from swords, old things are almost always found in old wells.
For example, during an attack on villages, people threw the most valuable things into the well, hoping that later they would be able to get it back. It was very rare to get it. But now very many people create societies and travel across Russia in search of various antiques waiting at the bottom of the wells. The things that are there are in good condition, whatever it is (weapons, wooden things, icons). Somehow miraculously, due to the low temperature, objects at the bottom of the well do not collapse, but only slightly age.
Each of us should be grateful to our ancestors for the fact that today we are digging wells and are able to independently extract water. Let's build traditional Russian garden wells and treat water as carefully as they did in Russia.
Since ancient times, the well in Russia has served as a symbol of the house. The home greeted the traveler returning from distant wanderings with a ladle of cold well water.
Do you know why in Russia wells were always covered with lids? This was done so as not to scare the brownie. That is why when we build a well, we are laying a solid foundation for our future home.