Night of Sânziene
Folklore, traditions
About
In every year, between June 23-24, the people celebrate the Night of Sânziene. Tradition says that during this night the gates of heaven open and the afterlife comes into contact with the earthly one.
On this night, like on Christmas Eve, it is said that animals speak. Whoever listens can understand their language and can learn many secrets.
On this night, like on Christmas Eve, it is said that animals speak. Whoever listens can understand their language and can learn many secrets.
It is also said that a white fern flower magically appears on this night, bringing luck to whoever bravely picks it, facing the spirits that guard it. They will be able to read people's thoughts and discover hidden treasures.
On this night, houses are surrounded by lit torches, and fields, barns, and stables are also surrounded with torches, so that the next year will be bountiful. At the same time, loud noises are made to ward off evil spirits.
If a girl throws a bouquet of Sânziene flowers through an open door or window, she will find her soulmate this year. Sometimes the bouquet is put under the pillow, as it is said that dreams on this night come true.
The summer solstice is also an opportunity for fairs, bazaars, and meetings for young people who seek marriage (Girl Fairs).
One of the plants commonly used in folk medicine is vervain. For it to be effective, vervain is only picked on the nights of Sânziene, the Feast of the Ascension, and St. Peter and Paul. This plant has been of great importance and respect since ancient times: the Romans used to decorate their temples with it.
During the summer solstice, branches of rowan are hung on doors and windows, as it is believed that this will keep away all evil forces. Rowan leaves picked on this day and dried will heal any wound and remove headaches.
If clothes, rugs, and bedding are exposed to the sun on June 24, they will not be eaten by moths.
It is considered a good omen to see a red ant on this day and finding an ant in your wallet means you will have a very wealthy year. In some areas, it is a tradition to eat tarts made of dough with elderflower to ensure good health throughout the year.
Sânziene is also celebrated by lighting huge fires on hilltops, dancing around the fire with bunches of pennyroyal, then throwing them in the fire to burn away any future troubles. Small boats with candles are sometimes set to float on small bodies of water and jumping over the fire is also practiced as a purifying ritual. It is believed that whoever goes through or jumps over the fire on this night will be purified and protected from evil spirits, illnesses and will have a happy year.
These traditions, which still exist in Central and Northern Europe, date back centuries before Christianity. After midnight, when the fires are put out, people return to their homes in silence, leaving the place to the spirits who return from the afterlife.
It is considered a good omen to see a red ant on this day and finding an ant in your wallet means you will have a very wealthy year. In some areas, it is a tradition to eat tarts made of dough with elderflower to ensure good health throughout the year.
Sânziene is also celebrated by lighting huge fires on hilltops, dancing around the fire with bunches of pennyroyal, then throwing them in the fire to burn away any future troubles. Small boats with candles are sometimes set to float on small bodies of water and jumping over the fire is also practiced as a purifying ritual. It is believed that whoever goes through or jumps over the fire on this night will be purified and protected from evil spirits, illnesses and will have a happy year.
These traditions, which still exist in Central and Northern Europe, date back centuries before Christianity. After midnight, when the fires are put out, people return to their homes in silence, leaving the place to the spirits who return from the afterlife.
On this day, the names of the dead are remembered, called Mosii de Sanzaiene: graves are cleaned, flowers are placed, candles are lit. On this day, Sanzaiene flowers are hung, until the next year, at windows and gates, with the belief that they will protect people, animals and the harvest from evil forces and bring luck and abundance. For farmers, this day is very important for weather forecasting. In popular belief, it is believed that if it rains on St. John the Baptist or after Sanziene, it is a bad sign, because the next 40 days will rain nonstop.
Superstitions of Sanziene
Sanziene are spirits of the air, transparent, pure and noble, very hard to perceive, given their unstable, fluid nature, prone to very fast movements. Unlike other mythical characters, such as Ielele and Rusaliile, Sanziene (Dragaicele) are benevolent to man, bring fertility to agricultural crops, married women, birds and animals, give scent and mysterious powers to flowers, heal diseases and human suffering and protect fields from natural weather.
Sanziene are spirits of the air, transparent, pure and noble, very hard to perceive, given their unstable, fluid nature, prone to very fast movements. Unlike other mythical characters, such as Ielele and Rusaliile, Sanziene (Dragaicele) are benevolent to man, bring fertility to agricultural crops, married women, birds and animals, give scent and mysterious powers to flowers, heal diseases and human suffering and protect fields from natural weather.
The Sanziene festival takes place three days after the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, a turning point located in the middle of the year and inscribed under the sign of fire, the Sun.