Russian Traditions

Russian traditions are an integral part of the fabric of Russian Society. Many families share these traditions throughout Russia. Some of these practices are national and religious holidays, while others have cultural beginnings that speak to the varying ethnic cultures that represent Russia. Some are events for weddings or the birth of a child, while others are celebrations for the seasons. All of these traditions make Russia a land of important history and shared experiences. Some of these traditions are more popular than others. But all of these traditions are part of Russian culture. Many churches take part in these traditions. There is increased interest for these traditions since the end of the Soviet Union. During communism, many of these traditions were illegal or controlled by the government making them less a celebration of and for the people. Today, these traditions are once again free and open. Many traditions are influenced by the Russian Orthodox Church, and despite the upheaval of the past, Russians are in general a very spiritual group of people.

Holiday Traditions

Holiday traditions in Russia include Christmas, New Year’s and Easter. For Christmas, members of the Russian Orthodox Church celebrate the holiday on January 7^th. For Christmas, there is a large meal and religious ceremonies as well as song, festivities and ethnic celebrations. New Year’s is the biggest and most popular holiday tradition in Russia. On this event, there is another big meal of duck or goose as well as many traditional accompaniments. Many Russians believe that the celebrations will influence the success of the rest of the year. On January 1^st, people will continue to celebrate and have a rich meal of mushroom soup and meats. For Easter, the major tradition is the painting of hard-boiled eggs. Many of these eggs will be painted red as a sign of life. Russians share the eggs with friends and wish everyone well.

Family Traditions

When a new baby is born in Russia the father will plant a tree. The tree is a symbol of health and strength. Believe it or not, many Russians do not show the baby to anyone but the father and the midwife. For birthdays, Russians like to have long celebrations and a large meal. The birthday person will even pull their ears for the number of years they have lived. This tradition is a wish to enjoy life. For weddings, the bride and groom visit a church and ask for a blessing from a religious icon. This blessing is a wish for a long, healthy and happy marriage. At the wedding reception, the bride and groom will bite from a large loaf of bread without using their hands. This tradition is playful and popular throughout Russia. The person who gets the larger piece of bread can be the leader of the family. The husband must also carry his new wife over the threshold. All of these traditions have come back since the end of the Soviet Union. In the past, these and other traditions were done in secret because of political dangers.

Seasonal Traditions

There are some traditional celebrations for the beginning of each season. In spring, many children play a series of Russian games. During this time, there is even a week for eating pancakes. The shape of the pancake symbolizes the sun and the gift of new life. In fall, there are many weddings because spring and summer are periods of hard work. Families can relax in the autumn and enjoy a more peaceful time of year. All of these traditions are part of Russian culture and national life.

And as with many things that are cultural, there are traditions that are followed when it comes to the drinking of alcohol, particularly vodka, in Russia. For example, it is considered bad luck to toast with an empty glass.

Russians, while practical people, are also superstitious people who believe in luck and bad luck. It is always wise to respect the traditions and beliefs of other cultures.