For many years, the belt has been a significant piece of clothing. For centuries, his embroidered canvas wrapped around the expensive outfits of the nobility and hid under the coarse cloaks of smerds, and even the all-powerful whims of fashion could not send this accessory to the dustbin of history. And all because even the most modest belt is endowed with invisible power, which is capable of not only protecting its owner from troubles and misfortunes, but also changing the whole course of his life.
"Girded" history
Being born in ancient times, the belt almost immediately took a special position in human life. Almost all the peoples of the world treated him as a strong amulet capable of protecting against any intrigues of dark forces.
Apparently, therefore, the sash "accompanied" a person from birth to death. The Slavs had a custom - to give a newborn a tiny belt, which was tied on a bare body with crumbs and was not removed under any circumstances. As soon as the baby was one year old, he was girded with a new sash.
Moreover, the boys had to wear it over their clothes, like adult men, and the girls tied them with their undershirts. When a person died, a special - "mortal" - belt was put on him, an obligatory part of the funeral attire.
It must be said that our ancestors also had “ancestral” belts responsible for the safety of the whole family. Only the head of the clan could wear such a belt.
To appear in society without this particular piece of clothing was the height of indecency for both men and women. After all, only people who practiced witchcraft could neglect its protection, for whom the light power of this accessory interfered with the study of dark practices.
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To publicly rip a belt off a person meant to inflict an indelible insult on him, which is confirmed by sad events in Russian history. So, at the wedding of Moscow Prince Vasily II the Dark, his mother Sofya Vitovtovna, in the presence of all the guests, accused her nephew Vasily Kosoy of misappropriating an expensive belt. The princess demonstratively "girded" the exposed "thief", and this trick of hers kindled a long internecine war, which for decades covered the warring principalities with blood.
Place in the legend
The significance of the belt is also indicated by the fact that it repeatedly “acts” as a hero of legends and traditions of various peoples. So, one of the ancient Celtic legends tells how the belt became the "culprit" of the appearance of the famous riders of the Wild Hunt in the heavens of Britain. If you believe the ancient lines, then one noble thane Eric the Wild fell madly in love with the beautiful elf Lady Gondu.
The beauty agreed to become his wife, setting a condition: the future husband should never mention her elven origin. Eric, of course, agreed, but several years of marriage completely erased the pre-wedding promise from his memory.
And somehow the tan returned from the hunt tired and hungry, but according to the customs of that time, the husband should not sit down at the table without waiting for his wife. Lady Gonda, as luck would have it, hesitated, picking up a belt for a new dress, which destroyed her family happiness. Tormented by hunger and irritated by the appetizing smells coming from the dining table, Eric swearingly attacked his wife, who finally appeared in the hall in a dazzling outfit, and in the heat cursed not only Gonda, but also her elf relatives.
And as soon as the tan spoke the last word, his wife immediately disappeared. Unhappy Eric searched for his beloved for many days until he died of fatigue and exhaustion. Tradition says that unknown forces took pity on the lovers and now they lead the riders of the Wild Hunt that sweeps through the nights of Samhain over the northern counties of England. Moreover, Lady Gonda's outfit adorns the same belt that caused the quarrel between the spouses.
Already unbearable to marry
However, according to the legends of other countries, belts not only did not destroy families, but, on the contrary, served as a guarantee of faithful and strong conjugal love. In addition, the accessory was an important attribute of love divination among the Slavic peoples.
So, a girl who was wondering about the groom in order to see a prophetic dream, on the night of the full moon, put her belt under her pillow and said three times: "The bridegroom-mummer, come and gird me." It must be said that our great-grandmothers considered this fortune-telling one of the most faithful, not allowing inaccuracies in prediction.
If the girl really wanted to get married, and the matchmakers drove around her house, then she decided on a rather bold ritual. On the night before any big church holiday, the girl went to the forest and there she tied together with her belt two young trees growing nearby. Returning home, the girl firmly knew that now she was waiting for an early marriage.
However, there was also a stronger ritual that helped arrange the personal life of the most "hopeless" brides. In order to attract a loved one, on a windy day, they went out to the crossroads at midnight, there they took off their belt and, waving them three times, said: "Wind, hurry, wind, fly - bring me a groom!" After that, the young women did not have to worry about remaining old maidens.
For home, for family
Among other things, the belt helped its owner get rid of all kinds of ailments.
So, if a person suffered from a serious illness for a long time, he should have gone into the forest and tied an aspen with his belt, thus transferring his ailments to her.
After waiting a few minutes, the patient took off the sash charged with the healing energy of the tree and again girded it around with the confidence that now he would certainly get better.
For a long time in European countries a belt woven from birch bark was considered a sure remedy for male impotence. It's hard to believe, but even noble lords and valiant knights often acquired such an accessory in order to avoid misfires on a date with a beautiful lady.
Wives, sending their husbands to work or to serve in the army, by all means handed over to the faithful the belt they sewn. This gift became the best talisman, it protected the owner from all misfortunes and helped him return home safe and sound.
On New Year's Eve, hostesses who wanted to increase their property tied things in pairs with belts. I must say that this custom is still relevant today. For example, if a lady really wants a new fur coat or an expensive dress, and the money for them is not “included” in the family budget, then she should, before sitting down at the festive table, tie old dresses or jackets together with a belt in pairs and leave them like this for the whole night. After that, the fashionista can be calm - in the new year there will certainly be funds for new clothes.
Preserved with my own hands
From time immemorial, our ancestors believed that the most powerful amulet is a belt made by hand, and not bought at a fair or in a merchant's shop. After all, working on it, the woman charged the belt with her energy of kindness and love, which then served as additional protection for her loved ones.
This amulet was sewn from natural fabrics - linen or cotton - red and white. The finished sash was decorated with embroidery, which was given a very great importance, because it was she who "processed" the negative directed by ill-wishers to a person, "turning" him into positive energy.
That is why symbols, embroidered not only on belts, but also on any other traditional clothing, “passed” from century to century without losing their popularity. Thus, the birds kept the warmth of the family hearth, creating an atmosphere of love and comfort in the house: in particular, the duck “guaranteed” numerous offspring for the newlyweds. The horse "provided" good health, and the pattern of the weaving of rhombuses was considered the best shield from the evil eye and damage.
Often the belts were made for a specific occasion. So, for a person suffering from an illness, a special sash was sewn, on the inside of which a spell or prayer for recovery was embroidered.
Nowadays, traditional belts are not in great demand, however, now fashionable belts can help their wearer achieve success in many cases. To do this, going to an important meeting or date, you need to write in a red pencil on the inside of the belt the desired result of this event, and the conceived will certainly come true.
Elena LYAKINA