The virvonta or virpominen (meaning the act of refreshment, or of wishing) is performed by Finnish children on Palm Sunday to wish well to the households.[1]
An "easter witch" from Kerava, 1998
In modern times, children dress as witches and knock at neighbours' doors while carrying salix tree branches (pussy willow), often decorated with colourful feathers. If accepted, they pronounce a blessing rhyme and leave a branch as gift, while receiving sweets in return.[2]
The Swedish-speaking minority, especially in Ostrobothnia, may instead celebrate the Saturday before Easter. This is not related to Christian tradition but Western european tradition of cattle and harvest magic that was practiced in different places. [2]
Historyedit
Childrens go to collect candy from the neighborhoodVirvonta branches
The tradition has various pagan and Christian origins: Nordic spring traditions to dispel bad spirits and wish a good harvest season, as well as the Christian ritual of the palms.[1] In Finland, the Orthodox tradition involves children giving blessings with branches that have been distributed at church celebrations; the variant with witch costumes spread from the East with the Karelian diaspora.[1]
A common rhyme is "Virvon varvon tuoreeks, terveeks, tulevaks vuodeks, vitsa sulle, palkka mulle!"[3] which translates as "I'm wishing you a fresh, healthy upcoming year, a branch for you, a reward for me!" The chant has been translated in Juha Vuorinen's novel Totally Smashed! as "Willow switch, I'm the Easter witch! I wish you health and a love that's rich! From me I bring some luck today, for this branch what will you pay?"[4] However, many alternatives are known.[5]
In the 21st century, the tradition has been mixed with international customs such as trick-or-treating and wearing various costumes.[1] It may be more common to see kids dressed as other magical characters such as wizards, cats, bunnies or other animals.[6]
Referencesedit
^ abcd"Easter tradition brings witches door-to-door". 9 April 2017.
^ ab"Easter witches make the rounds as part of age-old Finnish custom". 25 March 2018.
^Vuorinen, Juha (2017). Totally Smashed!. Translated by Leonard Pearl. Diktaatori. p. 165. ISBN978-9525474756.
^"Virvon, varvon ... miten se menikään?". 2011-04-15.
^"Palm Sunday brings witches to the door". 31 March 2012.
January 01, 1970
virvonta, virvonta, virpominen, meaning, refreshment, wishing, performed, finnish, children, palm, sunday, wish, well, households, easter, witch, from, kerava, 1998, modern, times, children, dress, witches, knock, neighbours, doors, while, carrying, salix, tre. The virvonta or virpominen meaning the act of refreshment or of wishing is performed by Finnish children on Palm Sunday to wish well to the households 1 An easter witch from Kerava 1998 In modern times children dress as witches and knock at neighbours doors while carrying salix tree branches pussy willow often decorated with colourful feathers If accepted they pronounce a blessing rhyme and leave a branch as gift while receiving sweets in return 2 The Swedish speaking minority especially in Ostrobothnia may instead celebrate the Saturday before Easter This is not related to Christian tradition but Western european tradition of cattle and harvest magic that was practiced in different places 2 History edit nbsp Childrens go to collect candy from the neighborhood nbsp Virvonta branches The tradition has various pagan and Christian origins Nordic spring traditions to dispel bad spirits and wish a good harvest season as well as the Christian ritual of the palms 1 In Finland the Orthodox tradition involves children giving blessings with branches that have been distributed at church celebrations the variant with witch costumes spread from the East with the Karelian diaspora 1 A common rhyme is Virvon varvon tuoreeks terveeks tulevaks vuodeks vitsa sulle palkka mulle 3 which translates as I m wishing you a fresh healthy upcoming year a branch for you a reward for me The chant has been translated in Juha Vuorinen s novel Totally Smashed as Willow switch I m the Easter witch I wish you health and a love that s rich From me I bring some luck today for this branch what will you pay 4 However many alternatives are known 5 In the 21st century the tradition has been mixed with international customs such as trick or treating and wearing various costumes 1 It may be more common to see kids dressed as other magical characters such as wizards cats bunnies or other animals 6 References edit a b c d Easter tradition brings witches door to door 9 April 2017 a b Easter witches make the rounds as part of age old Finnish custom 25 March 2018 Vaananen Vuokko March 21 2016 Virvon varvon tuoreeks terveeks Vartsilan verkkolehti Retrieved September 25 2017 Vuorinen Juha 2017 Totally Smashed Translated by Leonard Pearl Diktaatori p 165 ISBN 978 9525474756 Virvon varvon miten se menikaan 2011 04 15 Palm Sunday brings witches to the door 31 March 2012 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Virvonta amp oldid 1216069931, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
