Hutsul Beliefs about Fire
Source: У що вірили гуцули: звичаї, традиції та вірування
The attitude of the highlnaders toward fire is especially reverent. Signs and superstitions concerning fire are many.
- Going out onto the mountain glad with the flock, the shepherds should also ignite the so-called living fire: the flame is extracted by rubbing together two pieces of soft wood. The bonfire must be maintainted the whole time they are on the glade.
- If bread is passed over a fire to a child, he or she will surely grow up a thief.
- If someone spits into a fire, a blister will form on his tongue.
- It is considred a sin to throw hair into the fire.
- When the fire in the oven is cracking loudly, the Hutsul will say that an angry person will come into the house.
A Ukrainian Fire Legend
Source: UkrainianBooks.com Про Вогонь
The fire of one master found itself with the fire of another master, and they began to speak amongst themselves. The first says: “Life is good with my master, for he treats me well – when needed, he lays some kindling, and not needed, he takes a clean water and douses me. So it is good for me.” The second says: “For me, things are bad, for my master gives me poor quality firewood, and when I am not needed, pours washwater over me. I want to make him aware that I shall walk over his farm.” The first one says: “When you walk, do not burn the wheels of my master, which are found in your master’s yard.”
And so it happened that at night, a fire started at the homestead of the second master, and everything burned down, but the wheel of the first master rolled away and survived.
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Weaving Gold 