On April 22, a wonderful Slavic holiday is celebrated - Lelnik. Girls born on this day were given the names Lelya and Lada. The goddess Lelya, the daughter of Lada the Mother of God, personified youth and love. And Lada is the goddess of motherhood and the patroness of all Slavic women. It was believed that unmarried girls were under the protection of Lelya.
On this special holiday, Slavic girls performed various rituals so that mutual understanding reigned in love relationships and asked Lelya for a happy marriage.
Goddess of the dawn
Embroidery pattern for the Lelnik amulet
Lelya is the daughter of Svarog and Heavenly Mother Lada. She is not yet a woman, but she is no longer a child. This is the patroness of the first pure love that arises in the innocent heart of a young girl.
It’s not for nothing that young girls dedicated many songs to her; the famous Russian song about the white birch tree was originally dedicated to Lela. It was believed that a young birch or rowan tree was like a maiden, stretching its tender leaves towards the sun in the spring. So the young woman reaches out to her first love and dreams of finding her soul mate. There was even a saying: “Youth without love is like a morning without the sun.” Love is the basis of human life. In Rus', girls licked love with these words:
“On the Ocean Sea, on the Buyan Island, on the Altar sits the Queen - Golden Dawn. The thread of fate is woven by Zarnitsa, a good fellow will appear - the betrothed of the red maiden. The Queen - Golden Dawn - is knitting a knot, (Name) to dress the young man down the aisle to lead with his right hand - (Name) the red maiden. I’ll sprinkle water on my right hand, the moisture will fasten the bundle - a good young man will languish with a passionate thirst to get married. Even the one who gnaws the bones cannot untie the knot.”
Amulet Lelnik: meaning
For girls
The symbol, which is an interweaving of several geometric shapes, acts as a kind of energy shield, especially effective for girls. It performs security functions:
- Protects from the evil eye;
- Helps to quickly recover from illness;
- Protects against damage and dark forces;
- Beautiful young girls with such an amulet need not be afraid of black envy and the machinations of their rivals.
For babies
What is also important for small children, the Lelnik symbol helps to unleash their creative potential. Wearing such an amulet helps to decide on the choice of profession, to achieve success in the business that the soul is passionate about, when the child is still at the very beginning of his journey.
- Is it possible to use the Lelnik amulet for a baby? It is possible, but it is better for a female baby.
Although it is believed that the goddess Lelya will not cause any harm to any baby, a boy will not have much benefit from such a talisman.
Universal women's amulet
Lelya is the patroness of:
- femininity,
- motherhood,
- procreation
- all small children.
The purest love is the love of a mother for her child. The meaning of the Lelnik amulet for a woman is help in protecting children, assistance in birth and peace of mind. The amulet protects against the evil eye and envy. The Slavic goddess Lelya reconciled those who had quarreled, could dispel sadness without a trace, and helped in finding happiness.
It was also believed that the Lelnik symbol helps to improve character, the appearance of gentleness, and makes thoughts clearer. The amulet promotes the development of talents and creativity. The Goddess was always asked for help in protecting all unmarried girls. After all, a young lady is a future mother and it is important that she keeps herself clean until the wedding. Embroidery on a young girl’s clothes could not be done without the Lelnik amulet: this sacred Slavic sign was necessarily embroidered on shirts in order to protect the young girl from defilement. When embroidering, they usually said the words:
“Praise be to you, Lelya, great Rozhanitsa! Hear my words, goddess of love, for in my chest there is only caress, and tenderness burns with a bright fire. Give my daughter happiness and joy, let her believe in herself and her beauty, heal her from evil diseases, protect her from anger and envy.”
Description of the female amulet
The Slavic talisman is usually made of wood or embroidered on clothes, but amulets made of silver have more energy. The patroness of this symbol, Goddess Lelya, personifies eternal youth and is represented as a cheerful blonde girl. Her beautiful young image is compared with the eternal purity of an immaculate female heart. The symbol of the Slavic amulet and its patroness is the birch tree, which in all its glory embodies purity and innocence.
The Day of the Goddess Lelya is usually celebrated on April 22 (according to other sources on May 5) - people gathered on the hills and held a spring festival in honor of the great patroness. The most beautiful and necessarily unmarried girl was decorated with a flower wreath and seated on a turf bench - it was she who had to play the role of the Goddess Lelya. Offerings were placed next to the girl, mostly food (bread, milk, sour cream, etc.), and other girls began to sing songs and dance in a circle. On this day, it was customary to give the Lelnik amulet to all young girls and small children.
Lelya symbol to protect children
Many words meaning care and love in Russian are derived from the name of this Goddess: “cherish”, “unctuous”, “cherished”. These words best characterize our care for children. Lelya patronized all small children: boys under three years old, and girls until marriage.
The sign of Lelya - “Lelnik” was often depicted on the cradles of babies; the first clothes and diapers were decorated with the same symbol. The Lelnik amulet was painted on the dishes from which the little girl was fed. This is how the ancient Slavs trusted and entrusted their children to Lele.
The meaning of a protective talisman
Since the sacred symbol of the Goddess Lelya is silver, the amulet is most often made of precious metal, which perfectly accumulates energy and repels any evil. The main purpose of this Slavic silver amulet is to maintain Life on earth. This great mission is entrusted to women, so the magical talisman in every possible way protects little girls from any negativity from the outside and black human envy. The eternal youth of the Goddess Lelya is evidence of the immortality of nature and everything on earth.
The meaning of the Lelnik amulet has a deep meaning for every girl - it reveals hidden abilities, develops meekness and obedience, and also gives its owner femininity and attractiveness. Girls who wear this amulet are not burdened with everyday worries and problems. They are completely free, so they glow directly from within. The talisman reveals new knowledge to little girls and prepares them for their future adult life.
How to get Lelya's help today
Today, the modern world has largely moved away from the traditional views of our ancestors, although the help of good ancient forces is now required. To attract good luck, love, prosperity to your family, you can also use this amulet. Silver pendants with the sign of Lelya became widespread.
This beautiful carved amulet can become both an excellent decoration and instill confidence that the Good Patroness is taking care of you. You can embroider the Lelnik amulet on clothes, on a pillow or bed linen. Decorate your children's clothes with this wonderful symbol. The main thing is to keep faith in love and light in your soul. Spring always comes after winter, and no matter what happens, Lelya will always answer and support your hope for the best.
Purpose of the amulet
Maintaining life on earth is the main function of the Slavic amulet Lelnik. Our ancestors believed that this mission was entrusted to the fair half of humanity. Therefore, they made an amulet to protect women from evil and negativity, human envy.
It is believed that the Lelnik amulet helps to reveal abilities and hidden talents. With the help of the amulet, girls acquire such qualities as meekness and obedience. They become more feminine and attractive.
The talisman was often given to children. It was believed that with its help girls would be able to discover new skills and knowledge. The amulet helped them prepare for adult life.
The Slavic amulet is able to strengthen:
- the power of early love;
- determination;
- reliability of mature relationships;
- state of happiness.
The amulet has the following useful qualities:
- protects against negativity, envy and evil thoughts;
- protects and strengthens female beauty;
- gets rid of uncertainty and indecision;
- Helps you find happiness and peace.
Slavic traditions and customs
The traditional place of celebration became a hill - hence the name - Red (beautiful) hill. A bench or similar seat made of earth and grass—a turf bench—was installed on the hill. The most beautiful girl, in the opinion of the villagers, was seated on the bench - she played the role of Lelya.
The beauty was dressed in white clothes, her dress was decorated with green herbs, and a wreath of spring primroses was woven on her head. Various gifts and offerings were laid out around the bench - jugs of fresh milk, loaves of bread, cheese, sour cream and eggs.
Girls of marriageable age wove wreaths and placed them at the feet of the mummer Lelya, trying to receive the blessing of the gods for a generous harvest.
Round dances were performed around the bench, songs were sung glorifying the goddess of spring and calling on her to come down and share the holiday with them.
Magic properties
The Slavs believed that Lelnik was able to give beauty to a girl and attract the attention of young guys. The goddess Lelya herself is reflected in her eyes, smile and blush! Women also believed that this amulet would help prolong youth and stop premature aging.
On a note! Lelya is the goddess of spring, youth, beauty and fun. She protects the first pure love from black envy and unhappiness.
The amulet gives young brides confidence in their charm, the love of their chosen one and harmonious relationships. The amulet also protects against envious glances, damage and curses . It’s as if he covers the girl with an invisible cap, through which harmful energies do not penetrate.
Lelnik helps young wives in giving birth and raising children, protects against female diseases and infertility. Lelya bestows wisdom, obedience and a gentle disposition on growing girls: these qualities help create a happy family in the future and get along with her husband’s relatives.
Who is Lelnik suitable for?
Traditionally Lelnik was intended for:
- children under three years of age;
- girls;
- young girls;
- newlyweds.
Its purpose is to protect from evil people, troubles and misfortunes. It acts as an energy shield that protects children and girls. The amulet also helps young girls find their betrothed, their soulmate. Lelya protects the happiness of first love.
Meaning for married women
Lelnik helps every woman prepare for her main mission on earth - giving birth and raising offspring. However, according to tradition, married women do not wear Lelnik: it is replaced by the protective symbol of the goddess of fertility and female happiness, Lada. As soon as a girl got married, the goddess Lada became her patron.
Nowadays, young married women also wear this amulet: it helps preserve youth and beauty. Lelya bestows happiness, a cheerful, easy disposition, and sincere feelings. She teaches you to enjoy life, enjoy every moment. With age, this ability disappears, but with the help of the goddess it can be restored.
Importance for children
Caring mothers embroidered the Lelya sign on the clothes of their small and already grown children. Fathers carved this symbol on shutters and household items for their young daughters. If a girl was born into a family, the symbol was carved on the cradle. The amulet helps the child adapt to this world and plays the role of a guardian angel. Kids need to learn many skills: walking, talking, caring for themselves at the everyday level. The Bereginya teaches all this on a subconscious level.
Who is this amulet suitable for?
- Infants of any gender up to three years old will protect from the evil eye and misfortune.
- For little girls from 3 to 12 years old - it will help smooth out their character and clear their heads.
- For teenage girls from 12 to 17 years old - bestows first love and preserves girlish purity.
- For girls of marriageable age from 17 to 25 years old - it will help them get married sooner and give them beauty.
- For women dreaming of pregnancy - it will help to conceive and carry a baby.
- For women in labor - it will make childbirth easier and protect the baby from the curse.
- For young mothers and their babies - it will drive away evil spirits and give peace and harmony to the baby and mother.
- For mature women - it will give wisdom and knowledge on how to maintain peace in the family, and protect the husband from infidelity.
Other features of the amulet
- The Slavic amulet Lelnik was often used in the form of embroidery on clothing. It was usually embroidered with a cross along the hem along with other security symbols.
- As a body amulet, Lelnik was made of silver or carved from wood.
We charge with birch trees
The symbol of the goddess Lelya is the birch tree. It is its wood that is considered the best for making Lelnik.
The amulet also needs to be charged and cleansed in a birch grove. To do this, Lelnik is removed from the neck and hung on a birch branch as close as possible to the tree trunk early in the morning. In the evening, before dark, the cleaned and recharged amulet is taken away. In this case, you need to thank the birch tree for its help.
If there is no whole birch grove near you (its strength is greatest), a separate birch tree will do.
Activate with salt
Isn't she there too? Then use the traditional method of cleansing with salt. To do this, place Lelnik in salt so that it covers it completely. After about an hour, you need to take it out and pour the salt under the nearest tree or bush.
