Luchina is what? Meaning of the word

Since the time when mankind learned to obtain fire, it treated him with awe and care. Therefore, the ray, which was used in Russia as a source of light, was considered not only an object of everyday life, but also an almost magical attribute. So, the ray. What is that?

Value

The meaning of the word "ray" is inextricably linked with the meaning of the word "ray". Just as the sun's rays illuminate space, this folk device served as a source of light in the homes of our ancestors.

Luchina called a thin long piece of wood, which was set on fire and replaced electricity for many centuries. Even after the mass introduction of the latter in the remote villages of Russia, this old good method was used for a very long time.

Luchin was made of different types of wood: pine, birch, oak, maple, ash, aspen. Everything depended on a particular region. The only mandatory requirement: the ray was made solely from dry wood.

Features of use

From the ninth century until the beginning of the twentieth, people could not do without their wooden assistant. After all, a ray is not just an invention. It provided our ancestors the opportunity to walk along the street at night and to light a samovar, and most importantly, it covered the homes with dark winter evenings.

To make the light more, the owners of the huts lit the rays with whole bunches. And for fixing used so-called light. They were metal products with pointed ends, which were driven into any support - into a log, for example. To see how it looks, you can see in the photos in this article.

And in order to ensure fire safety under the light with the beams put a basin or a plate of water. Sparks were poured into this container, besides, the water reflected the fire and made the lighting brighter.

Luchina is also a magic object

Light and related objects from time immemorial aroused people's reverence. To the ray of ancestors, too, were reverent, considering it almost a magic wand. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that it was reflected in folklore. Songs were written about it, the ray appeared in various beliefs, it was used during magical rites - such, for example, as fortune-telling (long it burns - it's for a long life, etc.). And to kindle a wooden chip often trusted only to respected people of old age.

Till now, legends, epics and traditions are still alive, where a simple but ingenious invention of the Slavs appears, which helped them overcome darkness and illuminate their life with light.