Young and old "Indian Summer". Signs and superstitions

Where the cheerful sickle walked and the ear fell,
Now everything is empty - space is everywhere, -
Only a web of thin hair
Glistens on the idle furrow.

Fyodor Tyutchev

Indian summer is here. Indian summer is warm and dry weather, the interval between the heat of summer and the cold and rain of autumn. A time of warmth - but not heat, fresh air, the beginning of massive leaf wilting; time for flying webs and the most delicious watermelons.

Why is it Indian, is it summer? Here you need to understand that this period of time is distinguished not only in Russia, but throughout Europe. For example, in Serbia it is Michaelmas Summer. It's Martin's summer in Croatia. In Germany - the old woman's, in Holland - the afterlife, in Italy - St. Martin, in France - St. Denis. In Spain - the summer of St. Miguel, etc.

And it’s a woman’s word because in Rus' at that time women could bask in the still warm, even hot, but no longer sultry sun. Why women? The fact is that in mid-September field work related to harvesting and preparing the land for winter ended. The men went about their business - transporting and storing crops, preparing huts for rain and cold, slaughtering livestock, and so on. But women, that is, in old Russian - women, took on household chores: they soaked and ruffled flax and hemp, weaved, salted and soaked vegetables and fruits, in general - they did “women’s” things. And they were doing them on the street, on fresh air and so warm while the sun is still there. Everywhere one could see groups of such women going about their business. And the men, driving by on carts with grain, said: “The Indian summer has come.”

In addition to such “Indian Summer” work, rural holidays were celebrated in the Indian summer in Rus'. In the evenings they spun, sang, held gatherings, and danced in circles. Again, women. Again, companies.

Weddings took place in large numbers. They brewed beer. An interesting custom, by the way - on Indian summer people burned his straw beds. This whole ritual was performed from the “evil eye”. And fresh straw smells much better. Another interesting custom is that children were bathed on the threshold of the hut using a sieve. It was believed that this would protect against disease. In general, the common people had a lot to do during the Indian summer. And we loved this time especially.

So this is what it is, this “Indian summer”. Enjoy. Winter is coming...

Where did the expression “Indian summer” come from and what does it mean? updated: September 21, 2017 by: Roman Gvozdikov

Other names

This period of autumn is called " Indian summer"among the Eastern and Western Slavs. Among the southern Slavs (in Bulgaria, Macedonia) it is called “Gypsy summer”, in Serbia - “Michael summer” (“Mihoљsko љeto”), in Croatia - also called Indian summer (Bablje ljeto), also “Michael summer” (“Miholjsko ljeto") according to St. Michael and "Martin's summer" ("Martinjsko ljeto") according to St. Martin, in German-speaking countries - "old woman's summer" (more precisely, "summer of old women" - Altweibersommer, literal translation "summer of old women") , in Holland - “after summer”, in North America - “Indian summer”, in Italy - “summer of St. Martin”. In France, this time of year was traditionally called the “summer of Saint Denis,” but in recent decades, due to the widespread popularity of the song of the same name by Joe Dassin, the literal translation of the North American name - Été indien - is more often used. In Portuguese-speaking countries, the term "Summer of St. Martinho" or "Veránicu" (Letochko) is used. In Spanish-speaking countries, the term is used depending on the month when Indian summer occurs, so August/September is “Summer of St. Miguel”; in October/November - “Summer of St. Martin”, as well as “Summer of St. John” or “Summer of St. John Baptiste”.

Timing and duration

Duration of fine days " Indian summer» varies, as does its start time. Usually this is one to two weeks (two to three natural synoptic periods), falling in mid-September until early October. IN Central region In the European part of Russia, the beginning of “Indian summer” is September 14. In Europe and North America this period begins later, at the end of September or in the 1st half of October. In the south Far East Indian summer begins in early October. In southern Siberia, sharp warming often occurs in late September - early October. In the European part of Russia, as well as in Belarus and northern Ukraine, in mid-October, warming often occurs to +15...20 degrees (for 3-7 days). This period is often mistakenly called Indian summer.

According to Explanatory dictionary Dahl, “Indian summer” (Marfino’s summer) begins on Semyon-day, or the day of Simeon the summer guide, September 1 (14), and ends on Asposov’s day, September 8 (21); or on the day of Exaltation on September 14 (27). Here, at Dahl's, it is found young Indian summer, taking place from August 15 (28) - the feast of the Assumption to August 29 (September 11) - Golovosek.

There is, however, another version of the “Indian summer” phenomenon, which explains the autumn warming by the release of a gigantic amount of heat during the chemical reaction of chlorophyll decomposition during a period of rapid simultaneous yellowing of foliage. If you follow this version, the start and end dates of the “Indian summer” will shift by Central Russia at the end of September - beginning of October, almost until leaf fall.

Story

Autumn is rolling, autumn is rolling, it’s rolling at your feet. The leaves are tossing, the leaves are tossing in the rain. We don't like Indian summer, we don't like Indian summer - We're with you for spring, we'll wait for spring with you. further

Song "Indian Summer". Vysotsky Vladimir Semyonovich (lyrics by Igor Kokhanovsky).

The maples painted the city with some kind of Witchcraft color, This means very soon Indian summer, Indian summer. This means very soon Indian summer, Indian summer. further

Notes

Links

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Synonyms:

Babushkino (apple variety)
Babya (mountain)

See what “Indian Summer” is in other dictionaries:

Indian summer- autumn Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Indian summer noun, number of synonyms: 5 letiga (4) ... Dictionary of synonyms

INDIAN SUMMER- a period of dry, sunny and warm weather in Europe and North America (where it is called the Indian summer) in September October. Usually associated with a stable anticyclone, lasts 2-3 weeks... Modern encyclopedia

INDIAN SUMMER- a period of dry, sunny and warm weather in Europe and the North. America (where it is called the Indian summer) in September October. Usually associated with a stable anticyclone, lasts 2-3 weeks... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Indian summer has always stood out in folk traditions.

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There is a time of nature's special light,

dim sun, gentle heat.

It's called

Indian summer

and in delight argues with spring itself.

Olga Bergolts

Maples painted the city

some kind of witchcraft color -
It's coming soon, it's coming soon
Indian summer, Indian summer.

Why are the leaves melting so quickly?
I don't understand anything
And I catch like these leaves
our dates, our dates.

Vladimir Vysotsky

The period of autumn, which we call Indian summer, has other names among other peoples. For example, in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Macedonia it is the gypsy summer, in Serbia it is the Michaelmas summer, in German-speaking countries it is the summer of old women, in Holland it is the aftersummer, in North America it is the Indian summer, in Italy it is the summer of St. Martin, and in France it is Summer of Saint Denis. Depending on the climate and year, Indian summer can shift in time: from late August to early September (the so-called young Indian summer) and even at the very end of September - early October (in Europe and southern Siberia).

From the point of view of weather forecasters who are not prone to lyricism, this is the time of arrival of the Azores anticyclone, which carries the warmth of the Mediterranean. After a short-term cold snap in early September, the weather in middle lane for a week or two it becomes dry, sunny and unusually warm, and the air these days is especially clear and quiet. Forests and fields put on a golden outfit. I don’t really want to think that this unspeakable grace explains chemical reaction the decomposition of chlorophyll in the leaves, as a result of which a gigantic amount of heat is released, rising upward and dispersing the clouds.

Indian summer has always stood out in folk traditions and beliefs. By this time, the hard, male field work on the peasant farm had ended and the women's work had begun. Women made preparations for the winter, pickled cucumbers, ruffled hemp and soaked flax, wove canvas and did handicrafts. They wove and looked: if the thread lay straight, then it would be good husband, if it’s uneven, then the husband will be unfit. Young men flocked to the women's troubles to help, and at the same time to look after the bride. The gatherings dragged on until the first roosters. They treated us to various dishes and beer.

It is believed that Indian summer begins on September 14, Semenov Day. Semyon, otherwise Simeon the Summer Guide, marked the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. On this day, as a rule, in the old days a housewarming party was celebrated. Moving to a new hut, or “vlazina,” is not an easy task. The cat was the first to be let into the house, because there was a belief that whoever enters the house first will be the first to leave it, that is, die. And the lifespan of pets is already short, so... After the cat, the oldest member of the family came in.

Before a housewarming party, a rooster was often locked in the house for the night so that with his crowing he would drive out all the evil spirits. It was very important to solemnly settle the brownie in the new housing: he was transferred from the old to the new hut in a pot of coals, being aware of the significance and responsibility of the event. And of course, there was a housewarming party as we know it today, with guests, food and gifts. The first were the father-in-law, the matchmakers, and the godfathers. The father-in-law sent a horse as a gift to his beloved son-in-law, and the mother-in-law sent a cow for her grandchildren. The feast began at lunchtime and ended late at night.

On Semyonov Day, it was necessary to put the boy (after he turned three years old) on a horse and give him a short ride, marking the transition from childhood to adolescence. In the old days, people went out to hunt hares on this day. It was believed that on this day horses became bolder, dogs became kinder and did not get sick. The first bait on Semyon Day promised hunters big prey in winter.

There are a lot folk signs associated with Indian summer. If a rainbow appears these days, autumn will be warm. By the way, even bad weather for Indian summer is not a sentence for the whole autumn, rather, on the contrary: “Indian summer is stormy - autumn is dry.” But clear days as if they weren’t happy: “Indian summer is good - autumn is bad.”

To end on a happy note, let me remind you that the time from Semyon-day (September 14) to Guria (November 15) was called wedding weeks and was considered the most good times for viewings and weddings. Don't miss your chance!

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Indian summer is a period of time when the weather outside is warm (up to 25... up to 27 degrees), clear and dry in anticipation of cold autumn. These are one of the last warm days in the year and the next such warm days will only be in the spring of next year. During Indian summer there is a persistent anticyclone of warm weather, which occurs in early autumn. At this time, the cooling of the air and soil is not yet too strong, and the heating during the day, although significant, is not as strong as in hot weather. summer days. Leaves on trees and other plants wither, releasing large number The heat that rises increases atmospheric pressure and disperses clouds. The time of golden autumn is coming. That is, a stable anticyclone of warm and dry weather is caused by autumn itself, due to the withering of leaves. “Indian summer” begins after a significant cooling and is sometimes accompanied by secondary flowering of some plants. In Indian summer, beautiful flowers bloom - September flowers.

Indian summer in the Brockhaus and Efron dictionary is defined as clear and dry weather in late August and early September, when the web of the side-walking spider flies in the air.

Other names for Indian Summer

Western and Eastern Slavs this period of last warm days is called “Indian summer”. In German-speaking countries it is called “old woman’s summer” (“summer of elderly women”), in Serbia – “Michael’s summer”, among the southern Slavs (in Macedonia, Bulgaria) – “Gypsy summer”, in Italy – “summer of St. Martin”, in in Portuguese-speaking countries - “Summer of St. Martinho” or “Veranika” (Letochko), in Holland - “after summer”, in North America - “Indian summer”, in France it used to be called “Summer of St. Denny”, but in recent decades it has been called the word Été indien , in Spanish-speaking countries, Indian summer is called the “Summer of St. Miguel” (if it came in August – September) and “Summer of St. Martin” (if it came in October – November), as well as the “Summer of St. John Baptiste” or “ Summer of St. John."

Duration of Indian summer

The beginning and duration of Indian summer can always be different. Most often this is 1-2 weeks, which fall in mid-September, until the month of October. In the European part of Russia in the Central region, Indian summer usually begins on September 14. In North America and Europe, Indian summer begins a little later - at the end of September or in the first half of October. In the south of Siberia, this warm period begins at the end of September – beginning of October. In the south of the Far East it begins in early October. In mid-October, in the European part of Russia, as well as in the north of Ukraine and Belarus, warming often occurs for 3-7 days to plus 15-20 degrees. This period is often called Indian summer by mistake (ignorance).

They even made a series and a film about Indian summer, which is called “Indian Summer”. If we talk about the film, it was filmed in the USA in 1997. This is melodrama. A fleeting meeting between a taxi driver and a successful model, a beauty, ends in a whirlwind romance. The lovers have to overcome many obstacles.

Some signs of Indian summer

- the appearance of a rainbow in the days of the young “Indian summer” - there will be a warm and long autumn;

- if Indian summer is stormy - autumn is dry, if Indian summer is dry - autumn is wet;

- if there is a lot of twilight in the Indian summer - this means a clear autumn and cold winter;

- the young Indian summer is rainy - expect bad weather for the old Indian summer.

Catchphrases about Indian summer

"Indian Summer" - late love.
"Indian Summer" like a man dressed.
Such are the women, such is the summer.
"Indian Summer" is a time to lose weight.
“Indian summer” is a joy for the peasant.
The young “Indian summer” begins, and the sun goes to sleep.
"Woman's holiday" and "women's work."
The flax was ready for Indian summer.
In August, women have a holiday, a harvest, and from September it’s “Indian summer.”

This is how it is - “Indian summer” - warm, dry, beautiful.

The period of the first autumn cold snap has passed, we managed to forget about the hot days and took out autumn clothes and shoes.

As usual, in the second half of September the weather improved, forcing us to put on shorts and summer T-shirts again. Since childhood, we have known this period under the name “Indian summer”.

Have you ever wondered why autumn warming is called that way?

Why does this happen every year

A period of autumn warming after a short cooling occurs almost every year. This is noticed in Russia, in Europe, and even in North America.

Meteorologists believe that this weather phenomenon associated with a persistent anticyclone that influences the weather in most of the northern hemisphere.

Warming usually occurs in the second half of September, less often in early October. Keeps dry and warm weather one to three weeks, after which typical autumn weather sets in with rain, wind and cold weather.

What Science Says

Like many chemical processes, this one occurs with the release of thermal energy. Billions of leaves and blades of grass collectively generate large amounts of heat, which can affect the weather.

Warm air rises from the ground, dispersing clouds and causing rise atmospheric pressure. This leads to the formation of an anticyclone, which is recorded by meteorologists every year at approximately the same time.

The longer the process of mass withering of plants lasts, the longer autumn pleases us with warm weather.

Who calls this period and what?

In ancient times, our ancestors called autumn warming "Marfino's Summer" and associated it with the holidays. The beginning of the period coincided with the day of Simeon the Summer Guide (September 14), and the end with the Day of Exaltation (September 27).

The appearance of the term “Indian summer” is associated with the work cycle of peasants. Autumn warming coincides with the end of field work; at this time, women usually took up household chores and prepared for winter.

The Southern Slavs (Bulgarians and Serbs) call the warming "Gypsy summer". In Austria and Germany it is customary to say "summer of older women", in the Czech Republic – "Spiderweb Summer", and in Holland - "after-summer". Italians call the warm period of autumn "Summer of St. Martin", and the French - "Summer of Saint Denis".

In North America this period is usually called Indian summer due to the variegated color of the leaves, similar to the clothing and war paint of the Indians.

That's it, now you know that Indian summer is not the period after the presentation new iPhone, when many representatives of the fair sex begin to beg for a fresh smartphone.