Why Millet Is Poured Into The Cemetery: Signs, Superstitions And Facts

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Why millet is poured into the cemetery: signs and facts

Many people have seen millet in the cemetery at least once. Most often, the groats are scattered right on the graves. But not everyone knows about the reasons for this phenomenon, especially in modern society, where superstitions and omens have ceased to enjoy their former popularity. There is a reason to remind yourself of old times and find out the reasons why millet is poured into the cemetery.

Why do they pour millet on the graves

Millet on the graves and near them is a sign of several traditions at once. Some of them date back to pagan times, while others appeared much later, with the appearance of Christianity in Russia.

Rational Causes: Do They Exist?

Not. Any grain in the cemetery, as well as salt or other loose substance, is always a sign of tradition or belief. There is simply no rational reason to use crops in a cemetery.

Signs and superstitions associated with millet

As for the cemetery superstitions about millet, there are several of them at once:

1. Grain crops are scattered on the graves "for the commemoration of the birds." It is believed that birds fly in to peck grain and bury the deceased. Millet is most often used in this tradition, but other cereals are also found. The belief comes from pagan times, but with the advent of Christianity its meaning has not changed. Birds, burial service for the deceased, seem to turn to God (or to the gods, if we are talking about paganism), interceding for the soul that has left our world.
2. Millet, scattered near the grave or on the memorial table - this is also "for the sake of birds." It was just that the person conducting the ceremony considered it wrong to pour grain on the grave itself.
3. If the millet scattered on the grave is in the shape of a cross, this is a clear sign of the removal of damage. When one of the relatives and friends of the deceased believes that he died as a result of damage (or did not manage to remove it before his death) - such a ceremony is performed. Millet is always scattered with a cross, while reciting certain prayers.

4. Often, millet is scattered just for peace, without following any particular sign.

   

Opinion of the Orthodox Church on custom

There is no consensus in Orthodoxy about the use of millet in a cemetery. Some priests say that it is not worth sprinkling anything on the graves and disturbing the deceased, and in general, bringing food to the cemetery is an objectionable matter. Others, however, relate to the rite quite normally, and they even recommend removing spoilage with millet.

In one thing, the ministers of the church agree: the ritual "for the commemoration of the birds" does not carry anything bad in itself. Almost any priest will approve of it. The only question is whether it is worth scattering millet on the grave itself, or is it better to use the territory around it.

In the Slavic tradition, there are a huge number of different rituals and superstitions. How to treat them is a personal matter for each person. But it is worth agreeing that there will be nothing wrong if the birds come to peck the grain. This is not only a ceremony, but also a kind of care for the animal kingdom. Birds cannot harm the grave, unless the glass is accidentally turned over. But glasses of vodka in the cemetery are just a tradition that the church unanimously condemns.