Maslenitsa week has started: what is and is not possible on the first day of Maslenitsa

Maslenitsa week began on March 11

Maslenitsa week began on Monday, March 11th. This period was also called Cheese Week. Maslenitsa is one of the favorite holidays in Rus’, as it was used to say goodbye to winter and welcome spring. It also precedes Lent.

In 2024, the holiday will be celebrated for seven days – until March 17. Every day has its own meaning and traditions.

First day of Maslenitsa: meaning, traditions, signs

On the first day – the meeting of Maslenitsa, or the beginning of Narrow Maslenitsa. Since in Rus’ everyone lived in large families, and after marriage the girl lived with her husband’s relatives, in the morning the fathers-in-law sent the daughter-in-law to her father and mother for the day, and in the evening they themselves came to visit.

On this day they began to bake pancakes – the first one was necessarily given to the poor to commemorate deceased relatives. However, there is a belief: how many pancakes the housewife bakes for Maslenitsa, the number of sunny days to expect in the coming year.

Also on the first day of Maslenitsa, they made a stuffed animal from straw and old clothes.

For entertainment, by this time ice mountains and fortresses were being built, and rocks were being built.

What not to do on the first day of Maslenitsa

According to traditions, during Maslenitsa you should not swear, get angry or use foul language. Everyone should be friendly and cheerful. On the first day of the holiday week, in order to attract good luck, you should not be sad, and you should not welcome guests in an uncleaned house.