CONTESTS/SUMMER FUN RENDER CONTEST/GALLERY

Ivan Kupala 3D Render, Digital Artwork by Mirikoya

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PROFILE

Ivan Kupala

3D Render by Mirikoya

Ivan Kupala is an ancient East Slavic holiday, timed to coincide with the summer solstice and the blossoming of nature (and with the advent of Christianity, combined with the feast of St. John the Baptist). It is a night of fire, water, herbs, and fortune-telling, when, according to legend, the elements acquire magical powers.

Why did girls throw wreaths into the water?

Fortune-telling for marriage. The wreath symbolized maidenhood and destiny. Wherever the wreath floated, that's where the groom would be found.

Foretelling the future. If the wreath floated quickly and far, the girl would soon marry and be happy. If it reached the opposite shore, love would be found there. If it spun in circles, there would be no wedding that year.

Bad omen. The worst omen was for the wreath to sink or float back to shore—this was considered a harbinger of loneliness, misfortune, or that the betrothed had fallen out of love.

Love ritual. Boys often tried to fish a specific girl's wreath out of the water. If a young man succeeded in retrieving the wreath, it was considered a sign that the couple was made for each other.