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Plant symbolism in the Trinity and Christmas rituals of Ukrainians (comparative and cultural-genetic aspects)

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The authors of the publication:
Paholok Inna, Danylykha Nataliya
p.:
167-175
UDC:
398.33:27-564](477)
Bibliographic description:
Paholok, I., Danylykha, N. (2018) Plant symbolism in the Trinity and Christmas rituals of Ukrainians (comparative and cultural-genetic aspects). Materials to Ukrainian Ethnology, 17 (20), 167–175.

Author

Paholok Inna, Danylykha Nataliya

candidate of historical sciences, senior lecturer of the Department of Administrative Support of the Socio-Cultural Sphere of the Separate Unit “Lviv Branch of the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts”; candidate of historical sciences, associate professor of the Department of Philosophy of Arts at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.

 

Plant symbolism in the Trinity and Christmas rituals of Ukrainians (comparative and cultural-genetic aspects)

 

Abstract

The research’s main goal is a comparative analysis of vegetal attributions within Green Week (Whitsuntide week) and Christmas rituals of the Ukrainians. According to the topic, the authoresses apply the methods of field study, historical deduction and reconstruction, as well as typological and comparativ-historical analyses. The article considers the common elements of the Green Week and Christmas traditional and daily-life cultures, related notable features in the use of ritual verdure; it also substantiates their common semantic origin. A special attention is drawn to the fact that all members of a Ukrainian family were involved in preparing and holding these holidays.

The study argues that Ukrainians used ritual verdure primarily to invite the souls of deceased relatives to their dwellings on the eve of the relevant calendar holidays, since the living’s success in production and household activities depended on the support and assistance of those who had gone.

The paper emphasizes the magical properties of both the Green Week (Whitsuntide week) verdure and the Christmas attributes of vegetal origin.

 

Keywords

calendar rituals, Whitsuntide Week verdure, vegetal symbols, souls of deceased relatives, didukh (grandfather’s spirit), baba (a sheaf).

 

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