Ever since mankind has learnedto obtain fire, it treated him with awe and very carefully. 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?
The meaning of the word "ray" is inextricably linked with the meaning of the word "ray". Just as the sun's rays illuminate the space, this folk device served as a source of light in the homes of our ancestors.
Лучиной называли тоненькую длинную щепку, которая burned and replaced electricity for many centuries. Even after the mass introduction of the latter in the remote villages of Russia, this old good method has long been used.
Лучину изготавливали из разных видов древесины:pine, birch, oak, maple, ash, aspen. Everything depended on a particular region. The only mandatory requirement: the ray was made exclusively of dry wood.
From the ninth century until the beginning of the twentieth, peoplecould 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 houses with dark winter evenings.
To make the light more, the owners of the houses were litrays in whole bundles. And for fixing used so-called light. They were metal products with pointed ends, which were driven into any support - into a block, 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 beams put a basin or a plate of water. Sparks were poured into this container, besides, the water reflected the fire and made the illumination brighter.
Light and related objects from time immemorialcaused people reverence. To the rays of the ancestors also treated with awe, 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 as for example (fortune telling (it burns long 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.
