Today, on April 9, Ukraine marks Polishing Monday (damp, drawing) - a national Orthodox holiday, which symbolizes spiritual spring cleansing. When celebratingFour Monday is celebrated the day after Easter. He opens the Light (or Easter) week, where every day since the Slavic times it had its name: Monday - watering, Tuesday - kupalscha, Wednesday - khalkovodnitsa, Navsky Thursday, Friday - forgiven, Saturday - khorovodnitsy, Sunday -. Origin of the feast The water was always endowed with healing properties. Even in pagan times, spring bathing and bathing were considered peculiar rituals (for example, to call for rain). Slavs believed that through water a person is cleansed not only externally, but also internally. In Kievan Rus' Polling Monday celebrated three days (Wraparounders). During this period it was necessary to pour "all and all". In Volostilniki, except the ritual detour of fellow villagers on the first day of Easter, the litter boys went to the houses where the girls lived. Over time, the pagan tradition was transformed into a Christian. However, the symbolism of the holiday - purification, the joy of spring and the awakening of nature - remained unchanged. Note: In the watering Monday, the windless day and the blue sky to the rain; Sunny and cloudless - to the same summer; Since the morning it rains - summer will also be rainy; The birds returned from the warm edges, but until they sing - still wait for frosts. Traditions and rituals Early in the Watering Monday, mostly pre-married girls were showered - this was done by their suitors as a manifestation of their sympathy and hidden love. Staying a girl dry on the Watering Monday was considered a shame. If the girl came home completely wet - the parents were happy, because there was a hope for a wedding, and therefore, it was necessary to prepare a dowry. Sometimes the girls bought off from the boys pysanka that they did not pour. Our ancestors on this day plunged into water, poured pets and valuables. They believed that such rituals would bring wealth and luck. To water a woman meant "to purify her," and an unmarried girl - "to give even more beauty and health". To cause rain - watered the graves of suicides and drowned people (according to the belief that they dominate the rain). It was perfectly acceptable to pour all passers-by without exception. In some regions, the pouring lasted three days: on the first day the guys showered the girls, in the second - on the contrary, on the third - together. Water and cattle, and poultry, bees with beehives, shepherds and horses were swallowed up before field work. Patients with epilepsy, jaundice or fever were unexpectedly doused with water, which was previously washed with icons or silver objects. If they suspected that a person was spoiled (jinxed), then before pouring it, water was passed through the latch. Believed also, if you suddenly pour water onto a witch, she can not hurt. It was believed that if you pour on this day mistress, then her cow will give more milk. In some regions, it is customary that children go to the godparents, and they prepare gifts for them. In other regions, everything happens the other way round: the godparents visit their godchildren and bring them gifts. In general, Polling Monday in different cities celebrate in its own way (and still mostly in the western regions). Over time, this holiday has become one of the most favorite among young people. At times, real battles unfold near water bodies. And in spite of the fact that this day is not always warm, both the rowdy and the passers-by fall into the water (in this and the fun). Source: 112.