Alina's Blog

Romani talentati

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 20:59:00 +0000

Chiar nu mai stiu cum si cand,am dat peste un filmulet care avea titlul "Roman care a impresionat norvegienii la emisiunea Norvegienii au talent".Curios de fel am privit filmuletul.. am ramas fara cuvinte.Melodia a fost superba,aproape ca mi-au dat lacrimile.

Numele pianistului este Bogdan Alin Ota, este român şi a plecat dincolo de graniţă pentru a-şi câştiga un trai decent pe care ţara natală i l-ar fi oferit cu greu. În Norvegia, Bogdan îşi câştigă pâinea, aşa cum a declarat chiar el, cărând copiatoare în cadrul unei firme de echipamente electrice şi electronice. Dar, dincolo de asta, Bogdan este un talentat pianist şi a demonstrat acest lucru la una din ediţiile concursului amintit.

Cei trei membri ai juriului au rămas impresionaţi de virtuozitatea tânărului cu care e în stare să mânuiască clapele pianului. Emoţia transmisă prin fragmentul muzical interpretat a fost puternică, juriul acordându-i trei de DA care l-au trimis în etapa următoare a concursului. Pentru Bogdan, muzica e o pasiune şi un vis deopotrivă, iar concursul la care a participat, trimis de şeful lui, care îi este şi singurul prieten în ţara de adopţie, înseamnă pentru el oportunitatea de a transforma visul de a cânta în realitate. “Absolut fantastic”, “De ce nu te-a văzut România până acum?”, “Sper să te vadă şi ţara ta”, acestea au fost impresiile celor trei membri din juriul emisiunii după cele câteva minute în care românul şi-a cîntat propria compoziţie la pian.

Pe data de 29/04/2011 Bogdan a intrat in finala.Pentru a doua oara a inebunit juriul si publicul cu o alta melodie geniala compusa si cantata de el.

Post adaptat de aici

Rabdare

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:16:00 +0000

Din pacate netbook-ul Alinei s-a stricat... va reveni in max 7 zile cu posturi noi... Alina va multumeste pentru intelegere !!!!

Easter

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:28:00 +0000

Easter (Old English: Ēostre; Greek: Πάσχα, Paskha; Aramaic and Hebrew: פֶּסחא‎ Pasḥa,) is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday (also Resurrection Day or Resurrection Sunday). The chronology of his death and resurrection is variously interpreted to be between AD 26 and 36, traditionally 33.
Easter marks the end of Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. The last week of the Lent is called Holy Week, and it contains Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Easter is followed by fifty-day period called Eastertide or the Easter Season, ending with Pentecost Sunday.
Easter is a moveable feast, meaning it is not fixed in relation to the civil calendar. It occurs during the spring, in March or April; the method for determining the date of Easter Sunday is complex, based on lunisolar calendar.
Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover by much of its symbolism, as well as by its position in the calendar. In many European languages, the words for "Easter" and "Passover" are etymologically related or homonymous. The term "Pascha", from the same root, is also used in English to refer to Easter.
Easter customs vary across the Christian world, but decorating Easter eggs is a common motif. In the Western world, customs such as egg hunting and Easter Bunny extend from the domain of church, and often have a secular character.

Semitic, Romance, Celtic and other Germanic languages

The Greek word Πάσχα and hence the Latin form Pascha is derived from Hebrew Pesach (פֶּסַח) meaning the festival of Passover. In Greek the word Ἀνάστασις (upstanding, up-rising, resurrection) is used also as an alternative.
Christians speaking Arabic or other Semitic languages generally use names cognate to Pesaḥ. For instance, the second word of the Arabic name of the festival عيد الفصح ʿĪd al-Fiṣḥ, [ʕiːd ælfisˤħ] has the root F-Ṣ-Ḥ, which given the sound laws applicable to Arabic is cognate to Hebrew P-S-Ḥ, with "Ḥ" realized as /x/ in Modern Hebrew and /ħ/ in Arabic. Arabic also uses the term عيد القيامة ʿĪd al-Qiyāmah, [ʕiːd ælqiyæːmæh], meaning "festival of the resurrection", but this term is less common. In Maltese the word is L-Għid. In Ge'ez and the modern Ethiosemitic languages of Ethiopia and Eritrea, two forms exist: ፋሲካ ("Fasika", fāsīkā) from Greek Pascha, and ትንሣኤ ("Tensae", tinśā'ē), the latter from the Semitic root N-Ś-', meaning "to rise" (cf. Arabic nasha'a—ś merged with "sh" in Arabic and most non-South Semitic languages).

In all Romance languages, the name of the Easter festival is derived from the Latin Pascha. In Spanish, Easter is Pascua, in Italian and Catalan Pasqua, in Portuguese Páscoa and in Romanian Paşti. In French, the name of Easter Pâques also derives from the Latin word but the s following the a has been lost and the two letters have been transformed into a â with a circumflex accent by elision. Additionally in Romanian, the only Romance language of an Eastern church, the word Înviere (resurrection, cf. Greek Ἀνάστασις, [anástasis]) is also used.
In all modern Celtic languages the term for Easter is derived from Latin. In Brythonic languages this has yielded Welsh Pasg, Cornish and Breton Pask. In Goidelic languages the word was borrowed before these languages had re-developed the /p/ sound and as a result the initial /p/ was replaced with /k/. This yielded Irish Cáisc, Gaelic Càisg and Manx Caisht. These terms are normally used with the definite article in Goidelic languages, causing lenition in all cases: An Cháisc, A' Chàisg and Y Chaisht.
In Dutch, Easter is known as pasen and in the Scandinavian languages Easter is known as påske (Danish and Norwegian), påsk (Swedish), páskar (Icelandic) and páskir (Faeroese). The name is derived directly from Hebrew Pesach. The letter å is a double a pronounced /oː/, and an alternate spelling is paaske or paask.

Slavic languages

In most Slavic languages, the name for Easter either means "Great Day" or "Great Night". For example, Wielkanoc, Veľká noc and Velikonoce mean "Great Night" or "Great Nights" in Polish, Slovak and Czech, respectively. Велигден (Veligden), Великдень (Velykden), Великден (Velikden), and Вялікдзень (Vyalikdzyen') mean "The Great Day" in Macedonian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, and Belarusian, respectively.
In Croatian, however, the day's name reflects a particular theological connection: it is called Uskrs, meaning "Resurrection". It is also called Vazam (Vzem or Vuzem in Old Croatian), which is a noun that originated from the Old Church Slavonic verb vzeti (now uzeti in Croatian, meaning "to take"). In Serbian Easter is called Vaskrs, a liturgical form inherited from the Serbian recension of Church Slavonic. The archaic term Velja noć (velmi: Old Slavic for "great"; noć: "night") was used in Croatian while the term Velikden ("Great Day") was used in Serbian. It is believed that Cyril and Methodius, the "holy brothers" who baptized the Slavic people and translated Christian books from Greek into Old Church Slavonic, invented the word Uskrs from the Croatian word krsnuti which means "to enliven". It should be noted that in these languages the prefix Velik (Great) is used in the names of the Holy Week and the three feast days preceding Easter.
Another exception is Russian, in which the name of the feast, Пасха (Paskha), is a borrowing of the Greek form via Old Church Slavonic.

Finno-Ugric languages

In Finnish the name for Easter pääsiäinen, traces back to the verb pääse- meaning to be released, as does the Sámi word Beassážat. The Estonian name lihavõtted and the Hungarian húsvét, however, literally mean the taking of the meat, relating to the end of the Great Lent fasting period. However in Hungarian it can also be taken to mean sin of eating meat since vétek means transgression, sin, vice, trespass, offense.

Theological significance

The New Testament teaches that the resurrection of Jesus, which Easter celebrates, is a foundation of the Christian faith.1 Corinthians 15:12-20 The resurrection established Jesus as the powerful Son of God Romans 1:4 and is cited as proof that God will judge the world in righteousness.Acts 17:31 God has given Christians "a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead".1 Peter 1:3 Christians, through faith in the working of GodColossians 2:12 are spiritually resurrected with Jesus so that they may walk in a new way of life.Romans 6:4
Easter is linked to the Passover and Exodus from Egypt recorded in the Old Testament through the Last Supper and crucifixion that preceded the resurrection. According to the New Testament, Jesus gave the Passover meal a new meaning, as he prepared himself and his disciples for his death in the upper room during the Last Supper. He identified the loaf of bread and cup of wine as symbolizing his body soon to be sacrificed and his blood soon to be shed. 1 Corinthians 5:7 states, "Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed"; this refers to the Passover requirement to have no yeast in the house and to the allegory of Jesus as the Paschal lamb.
One interpretation of the Gospel of John is that Jesus, as the Passover lamb, was crucified at roughly the same time as the Passover lambs were being slain in the temple, on the afternoon of Nisan 14.Exodus 12:6.The scriptural instructions specify that the lamb is to be slain "between the two evenings", that is, at twilight. By the Roman period, however, the sacrifices were performed in the mid-afternoon. Josephus, Jewish War 6.10.1/423 ("They sacrifice from the ninth to the eleventh hour"). Philo, Special Laws 2.27/145 ("Many myriads of victims from noon till eventide are offered by the whole people"). This interpretation, however, is inconsistent with the chronology in the Synoptic Gospels. It assumes that text literally translated "the preparation of the passover" in John 19:14 refers to Nisan 14 (Preparation Day for the Passover) and not necessarily to Yom Shishi (Friday, Preparation Day for Sabbath)John 13:2, John 18:28, John 19:14, and the associated notes in Barker, Kenneth, ed (2002). Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. ISBN 0310929555. and that the priests' desire to be ritually pure in order to "eat the passover" in John 18:28 refers to eating the Passover lamb, not to the public offerings made during the days of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:8).

Date of Easter

Easter and the holidays that are related to it are moveable feasts, in that they do not fall on a fixed date in the Gregorian or Julian calendars (both of which follow the cycle of the sun and the seasons). Instead, the date for Easter is determined on a lunisolar calendar similar to the Hebrew calendar. The First Council of Nicaea (325) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) following the northern hemisphere's vernal equinox. Ecclesiastically, the equinox is reckoned to be on March 21 (even though the equinox occurs, astronomically speaking, on March 20 in most years), and the "Full Moon" is not necessarily the astronomically correct date.
In Western Christianity, using the Gregorian calendar, Easter always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, inclusively. The following day, Easter Monday, is a legal holiday in many countries with predominantly Christian traditions.
Eastern Christianity bases its calculations on the Julian Calendar. Due to the 13 day difference between the calendars between 1900 and 2099, March 21 corresponds, during the 21st century, to the 3rd of April in the Gregorian Calendar. Easter therefore varies between April 4 and May 8 on the Gregorian calendar (The Julian calendar is no longer used as the civil calendar of the countries where Eastern Christian traditions predominate). Among the Oriental Orthodox some churches have changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar and the date for Easter as for other fixed and moveable feasts is the same as in the Western church.
The precise date of Easter has at times been a matter for contention. At the First Council of Nicaea in 325 it was decided that all Christian churches would celebrate Easter on the same day, which would be computed independently of any Jewish calculations to determine the date of Passover. It is however probable (though no contemporary account of the Council's decisions has survived) that no method of determining the date was specified by the Council. Epiphanius of Salamis wrote in the mid-4th century: :...the emperor...convened a council of 318 bishops...in the city of Nicea...They passed certain ecclesiastical canons at the council besides, and at the same time decreed in regard to the Passover that there must be one unanimous concord on the celebration of God's holy and supremely excellent day. For it was variously observed by people....
In the years following the council, the computational system that was worked out by the church of Alexandria came to be normative. It took a while for the Alexandrian rules to be adopted throughout Christian Europe, however. The Church of Rome continued to use an 84-year lunisolar calendar cycle from the late 3rd century until 457. It then switched to an adaptation by Victorius of the Alexandrian rules. This table was so inaccurate that the Alexandrian rules were adopted in their entirety in the following century. From this time, therefore, all disputes between Alexandria and Rome as to the correct date for Easter cease, as both churches were using identical tables.
Early Christians in Britain and Ireland also used a late 3rd century Roman 84-year cycle. They were suspected of being Quartodecimans, unjustly because they always kept Easter on a Sunday, although that Sunday could be as early as the fourteenth day of the lunar month. This was replaced by the Alexandrian method in the course of the 7th and 8th centuries. Churches in western continental Europe used a late Roman method until the late 8th century during the reign of Charlemagne, when they finally adopted the Alexandrian method. Since 1582, when the Catholic Church adopted the Gregorian calendar whilst the Eastern Orthodox and most Oriental Orthodox Churches retained the Julian calendar, the date on which Easter is celebrated has again differed.

Religious observance of Easter

Western Christianity

The Easter festival is kept in many different ways among Western Christians. The traditional, liturgical observation of Easter, as practised among Roman Catholics and some Lutherans and Anglicans begins on the night of Holy Saturday with the Easter Vigil. This, the most important liturgy of the year, begins in total darkness with the blessing of the Easter fire, the lighting of the large Paschal candle (symbolic of the Risen Christ) and the chanting of the Exultet or Easter Proclamation attributed to Saint Ambrose of Milan. After this service of light, a number of readings from the Old Testament are read; these tell the stories of creation, the sacrifice of Isaac, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the foretold coming of the Messiah. This part of the service climaxes with the singing of the Gloria and the Alleluia and the proclamation of the Gospel of the resurrection. At this time, the lights are brought up and the church bells are rung, according to local custom. A sermon may be preached after the gospel. Then the focus moves from the lectern to the font. Anciently, Easter was considered the ideal time for converts to receive baptism, and this practice continues within Roman Catholicism and the Anglican Communion. Whether there are baptisms at this point or not, it is traditional for the congregation to renew the vows of their baptismal faith. This act is often sealed by the sprinkling of the congregation with holy water from the font. The Catholic sacrament of Confirmation is also celebrated at the Vigil.

The Easter Vigil concludes with the celebration of the Eucharist (known in some traditions as Holy Communion). Certain variations in the Easter Vigil exist: Some churches read the Old Testament lessons before the procession of the Paschal candle, and then read the gospel immediately after the Exsultet. Some churches prefer to keep this vigil very early on the Sunday morning instead of the Saturday night, particularly Protestant churches, to reflect the gospel account of the women coming to the tomb at dawn on the first day of the week. These services are known as the Sunrise service and often occur in outdoor setting such as the church cemetery, yard, or a nearby park.
The first recorded "Sunrise Service" took place in 1732 among the Single Brethren in the Moravian Congregation at Herrnhut, Saxony, in what is now Germany. Following an all-night vigil they went before dawn to the town graveyard, God's Acre, on the hill above the town, to celebrate the Resurrection among the graves of the departed. This service was repeated the following year by the whole congregation and subsequently spread with the Moravian Missionaries around the world. The most famous "Moravian Sunrise Service" is in the Moravian Settlement Old Salem in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.[citation needed] The setting of the Graveyard, God's Acre, the music of the Brass Choir numbering 500 pieces, and the simplicity of the service attract thousands of visitors each year and has earned for Winston-Salem the soubriquet "the Easter City".[according to whom?]
Additional celebrations are usually offered on Easter Sunday itself. Typically these services follow the usual order of Sunday services in a congregation, but also typically incorporate more highly festive elements. The music of the service, in particular, often displays a highly festive tone; the incorporation of brass instruments (trumpets, etc.) to supplement a congregation's usual instrumentation is common. Often a congregation's worship space is decorated with special banners and flowers (such as Easter lilies).
In predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines, the morning of Easter (known in the national language as "Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay" or the Pasch of the Resurrection) is marked with joyous celebration, the first being the dawn "Salubong", wherein large statues of Jesus and Mary are brought together to meet, imagining the first reunion of Jesus and his mother Mary after Jesus' Resurrection. This is followed by the joyous Easter Mass.
In Polish culture, The Rezurekcja (Resurrection Procession) is the joyous Easter morning Mass at daybreak when church bells ring out and explosions resound to commemorate Christ rising from the dead. Before the Mass begins at dawn, a festive procession with the Blessed Sacrament carried beneath a canopy encircles the church. As church bells ring out, handbells are vigorously shaken by altar boys, the air is filled with incense and the faithful raise their voices heavenward in a triumphant rendering of age-old Easter hymns. After the Blessed Sacrament is carried around the church and Adoration is complete, the Easter Mass begins. Another Polish Easter tradition is Święconka, the blessing of Easter baskets by the parish priest on Holy Saturday. This custom is celebrated not only in Poland, but also in the United States by Polish-Americans.

Eastern Christianity

Pascha is the fundamental and most important festival of the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches:
This is the Expected and Holy Day,
the One among the Sabbaths,
the Sovereign and Lady of days,
Feast of feasts, Celebration of celebrations,
on which we praise Christ for all eternity!
Every other religious festival in their calendar, including Christmas, is secondary in importance to the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is reflected in rich Paschal customs in the cultures of countries that have traditionally had an Orthodox Christian majority. Eastern Catholics have similar emphasis in their calendars, and many of their liturgical customs are very similar.
This is not to say that Christmas and other elements of the Christian liturgical calendar are ignored. Instead, these events are all seen as necessary but preliminary to, and illuminated by, the full climax of the Resurrection, in which all that has come before reaches fulfillment and fruition. They shine only in the light of the Resurrection. Pascha is the primary act that fulfills the purpose of Christ's ministry on earth—to defeat death by dying and to purify and exalt humanity by voluntarily assuming and overcoming human frailty. This is succinctly summarized by the Paschal troparion, sung repeatedly during Pascha until the Apodosis of Pascha, which is the day before Ascension:

Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν,
θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας,
καὶ τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι
ζωὴν χαρισάμενος.
Christ is risen from the dead,
Trampling down death by death,
And upon those in the tombs
Bestowing life!
Preparation for Pascha begins with the season of Great Lent. In addition to fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, Orthodox Christians cut down on all entertainment and non-essential worldly activities, gradually eliminating them until Great and Holy Friday, the most austere day of the year. Traditionally, on the evening of Great and Holy Saturday, the Midnight Office is celebrated shortly after 11:00 p.m. (see Paschal Vigil). At its completion all light in the church building is extinguished, and all wait in darkness and silence for the stroke of midnight. Then, a new flame is struck in the altar, or the priest lights his candle from the perpetual lamp kept burning there, and he then lights candles held by deacons or other assistants, who then go to light candles held by the congregation (this practice has its origin in the reception of the Holy Fire at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem). Then the priest and congregation go in a Crucession (procession with the cross) around the temple (church building), holding lit candles, chanting:
By Thy Resurrection O Christ our savior, the angels in Heaven sing, enable us who are on Earth, to glorify thee in purity of heart.

This procession reenacts the journey of the Myrrhbearers to the Tomb of Jesus "very early in the morning" (Luke 24:1). After circling around the temple once or three times, the procession halts in front of the closed doors. In the Greek practice the priest reads a selection from the Gospel Book (Mark 16:1-8). Then, in all traditions, the priest makes the sign of the cross with the censer in front of the closed doors (which represent the sealed tomb). He and the people chant the Paschal Troparion, and all of the bells and semantra are sounded. Then all re-enter the temple and Paschal Matins begins immediately, followed by the Paschal Hours and then the Paschal Divine Liturgy. The high point of the liturgy is the delivery of Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom, for which the congregation stands.
After the dismissal of the Liturgy, the priest may bless Paschal eggs and baskets brought by the faithful containing those foods which have been forbidden during the Great Fast. Immediately after the Liturgy it is customary for the congregation to share a meal, essentially an Agápē dinner (albeit at 2:00 a.m. or later). In Greece the traditional meal is mageiritsa, a hearty stew of chopped lamb liver and wild greens seasoned with egg-and-lemon sauce. Traditionally, Easter eggs, hard-boiled eggs dyed bright red to symbolize the spilt Blood of Christ and the promise of eternal life, are cracked together to celebrate the opening of the Tomb of Christ.
The next morning, Easter Sunday proper, there is no Divine Liturgy, since the Liturgy for that day has already been celebrated. Instead, in the afternoon, it is often traditional to celebrate "Agápē Vespers". In this service, it has become customary during the last few centuries for the priest and members of the congregation to read a portion of the Gospel of John 20:19-25 (in some places the reading is extended to include verses 19:26-31) in as many languages as they can manage, to show the universality of the Resurrection.
For the remainder of the week, known as "Bright Week", all fasting is prohibited, and the customary Paschal greeting is: "Christ is risen!", to which the response is: "Truly He is risen!" This may also be done in many different languages. The services during Bright Week are nearly identical to those on Pascha itself, except that they do not take place at midnight, but at their normal times during the day. The Crucession during Bright Week takes place either after Paschal Matins or the Paschal Divine Liturgy.

Traditions

Easter in Argentina

In the Northern part of Argentina they hold the Carnival. Preparations for the Carnival begin when the algarroba beans are ripe. There are the sounds of singing and jangling of the charango which is a type of ukelele, two drinks called aloja and chicha are prepared in large amounts, the houses are whitewashed and cleaned. They gather the herb basil and they wear hats and ponchos. This is done to ward of the evil spirits so it is said.

On the Thursday before Ash Wednesday the tincunaco ceremony is celebrated. Mothers and grandmothers are gathered in two lines one line with mothers and the other one the grandmothers around an arch made of willow branches. The arch is decorated with fruit, flowers, cheese, sweets and tiny lanterns. The two groups meet under the arch and exchange a doll which is touched on each other's forehead. This is seen as a sacred ceremony and is said to unite the women with a bond only death can break.

On Sunday the Carnival reaches its climax. Women in their traditional attire of wide ruffled skirts, colorful ponchos, and white hats mask their faces with starch and water. They sing folksongs and ride on horseback to where the dance is being held in honor of Pukllay which is the Spirit of Carnival. Once the celebrations have come to an end, a rag doll representing Pukllay is buried as a symbol that it is the end of Carnival.

Easter in Australia

In Australia Easter is celebrated with public holidays, church services, eggs, rabbits and fun. It is celebrated in March or April, which is autumn unlike other countries in the Northern Hemisphere where it is spring.

In Sydney, Australia there is an agricultural show known as "the Royal Easter Show". Which has displays of the countries best produce, farm animals, parades, rides, fireworks, food, sideshows and fun.

They enjoy the Easter holidays, which is the end of summer. Especially the children, love Easter eggs, chocolate rabbits, chocolate bilbies and time together with the family.

In Australia the Australians prefer the Bilby as the symbol for Easter as it is native to Australia and also because of the fact that the rabbit has destroyed land, crops, vegetation and burrows of other native Australian species.

In Australia they play a game called Egg Knocking game.

Easter in Brazil

In Brazil every year since 1950 the village of Fazenda has performed a passion play. Thousands of people watch as volunteers act out the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus.

In Rio de Janeiro one of the world's most famous carnivals is held before Lent. Carnival means goodbye to meat. This is due to the fact that people don't eat meat at Lent.

In Brazil groups of people spend most of the year preparing for the carnival. They make costumes, practise music and dances for the parades. Other people make floats for the parade. It is a time for dancing, eating and drinking before the fasting of Lent.

Other towns and cities in Brazil have celebrations during the Carnival period, such as Recife who are well known for their folkloric representations and two well known folk dances, the Maracatu and the Frevo.

Holy Week in Brazil begins with the blessing of the palm branches, which are woven in intricate patterns representing crosses, banners, letters, and other related objects. Streets are decorated with colored patterns drawn on the road surface over which a procession walks, carrying statues of Mary and the body of Christ. A special food called pacoca, is prepared by mixing together crushed nuts and other ingredients into a paste, which is given to visitors. On Easter Saturday, Carnival makes a brief reappearance with a Hangover Ball to celebrate the hanging of Judas.

Easter in Britain

In many parts of England dancers called "Morris dancers" perform on Easter Sunday. These dances are very old spring dances to frighten away the veil spirits of winter. The dancers wear white shorts, red sashes, black trousers and straw hats with lots of flowers and streamers. Red and green ribbons and little bells are tied onto the dancers. As the dancers move quickly the bells ring and the ribbons wave.

In the town of Olney in Great Britain they have had pancake races on Shrove Tuesday for over 500 years.

In Britain, traditionally simnel cake is baked for tea. Originally simnel cakes were given for Mother's Day.

Easter in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria they don't carry the eggs around or hide them they throw them at each other and whoever comes out of the game with their egg unbroken is the winner and they will be the most successful person of the family for the next year.

Or another variation as the eggs are cracked after the midnight service and during the next days. One egg is cracked on the wall of the church. The ritual of cracking the eggs takes place before the Easter lunch. Each person selects his/her egg. Then people take turns tapping their egg against the eggs of others, and the person who ends up with the last unbroken egg is believed to have a year of good luck.

Another tradition is the oldest woman of the family wipes the faces of all the children in the house with the first red egg colored, which is supposed to bring them happiness and keep them healthy and strong.

The most predominate tradition is the making of the Easter bread. The bread is made by all women not bought and has a taste that is tasty, sweet, aromatic and rich and shows the temperament of the Bulgarians.

The traditional greeting is "Christ is Risen!" to which is said "Indeed He is Risen!" This is the greeting during 40 days after Pascha. Also, These greetings are exchanged during the tapping of the eggs they are repeated 3 times and the actual tapping is after that.

Easter in Chile

The Sunday before Easter in Chile is celebrated as Palm Sunday or also called Domingo de Ramos. The celebration is held with a mass or in some places as a procession. On Good Friday there is fasting and people eat fish instead of meat. There are programs on radio referred to as "mourning". Mourning programs are special music and this continues until Sunday morning with the resurrection of Jesus.

In towns around the capital of Santiago people have been celebrating a religious fiesta since the 16th century. The fiesta is known as Quasimodo and is of Latin origin, and represents the first word of an opening prayer which is said in the mass that occurs the first Sunday after Easter.

During Spanish times the day on which Quasimodo is held was the customary day for priests to take Communion to the old and the sick who had been unable to go to church during Easter. Sometimes attacks occured on priests so a group of guards would accompany the priests safely whilst performing their duties. After the priests performed the Sacrament, the day ended with rodeos and "horsemanship contests".

At the finish of the day celebrations occur with the Eucharist in an open-air mass. The Fiesta Quasimodo is full of spectacular color, song, and excitement for the huasos which are comboys or horsemen because it has continued for so many generations.

Easter in China

The Chinese believed in the sacredness of eggs and gave them as gifts during joyful celebrations.

Eggs have been a symbol of spring and fertility.

At least 3000 years ago the Chinese painted eggs red for spring festivals.

Historic documentation tells us that in 722 B.C. a Chinese Chieftain gave painted eggs as gifts in celebration of a spring festival.

Easter in Egypt

In Egypt the Israelites used lamb's blood to save their firstborn. The reason was that Jesus was called the "Lamb of God" because His sacrifice forgives humans' sins.

Lent in the Coptic Church of Egypt lasts for 55 days, which includes a preliminary week of modified fasting. No meat, fish, eggs or milk are supposed to be eaten during Lent. This fasting is extended as Lent goes on so that by Holy Week people are observing a stricter fast, in which they eat mainly vegetables and beans.

On Palm Sunday the church is decorated with palms and flowers, and children are given palm branches blessed with holy water they take home and keep all year.

During Holy Week, people go to church every day. There are services leading up to the main Easter service on Saturday night, which lasts until 3-4 a.m. on Easter morning. Bells are rung to proclaim Christ's resurrection, and there is a procession with the newly lit candles.

Easter Sunday is spent visiting friends and relatives, and there is a special Easter dinner in the afternoon.

Easter Monday is a public holiday because of an ancient spring festival which is celebrated on this day. People spend the day outdoors in parks or gardens and exchange colored eggs.

Easter in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Easter festival is called Fassika. This festival celebrates the day when Jesus Christ rose from the dead after being crucified.

Palm Sunday or Hosaina happens the Sunday before Easter. This day marks the beginning of Holy Week and celebrates the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Ethiopians wear headbands of palm leaves on this day to remind them of the palm leaves that were laid in Jesus' path.

The period before Easter Sunday is called Lent. During lent, Ethiopian Christians avoid any animal products, such as meat, eggs, butter, milk, yoghurt, cream and cheese. After they have been to the Easter Eve service the family returns home to break their fast and later in the afternoon, they share the main celebratory meal of the day.

At the Easter service all Ethiopians wear a traditional white clothes, called yabesha libs.

During all their holidays, Ethiopians eat a huge special sourdough bread called Dabo. They bake enough to offer a slice to everybody who visits the house. On Easter morning, the bread should be cut, after saying a prayer, by a priest or by the main man of the house.

Easter in France

In France, Shrove Tuesday is referred to as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday.

In France, church bells ring joyfully during the year. But the bells stop ringing on the Thursday before Good Friday. They are silent for a few days while people remember the death of Jesus. On Easter Sunday morning, the bells ring out, telling people that Jesus is alive again. When people hear the bells, they kiss and hug one another.

Many children wake up on Easter Sunday and find eggs scattered about their rooms. They look in the nests they have placed in their yards or gardens and find Easter eggs in them. The eggs are said to have been bought from Rome where the bell ringing had gone to see the Pope and when the bells returned they bought with them the eggs.

In some parts of France, children look for four white horses pulling a chariot full of eggs.

In France the children throw eggs up in the air. The first one to drop it loses.

An old French custom was a contest of rolling raw eggs down a gentle slope--the surviving egg was the victory egg and symbolized the stone being rolled away from the tomb.

In France an egg game played is that in which the eggs were thrown up in the air and caught. The boy who dropped his egg had to pay a forfeit.

In France the children are told that it is the church bells that have been to Rome to fetch them their eggs.

Easter in Germany

In Germany Easter is started by covering the cross on Good Friday. On this day they eat dishes which have fish in them.

Easter starts with mass, which is started on Saturday evening and continues until Sunday morning. On Sunday it is Family Day on this day they have a special Easter lunch and they have colored eggs and a cake which is shaped like a lamb.

They also eat other sweet foods such as cookies, cake and chocolate on this day and the best part of the day is the hiding of the eggs and cookies in the garden.

Another tradition is the Easter Fire which is where all the old Christmas trees are gathered up and burnt in a special place, this is done so as to clean away the last signs of winter and moving onto spring.

In Germany green eggs are used on Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday.

A town in Germany called Oberammergau, performs a passion play at Easter time. A passion play tells the story of the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus. 1200 villagers approximately perform in this six-hour play.

In Germany, just before the beginning of Lent, it is carnival time called Fasching. In Fasching parades in the city of Cologne, people wear masks and giant-sized papier-mâché heads, sometimes twice the size of their bodies.

Germans cook a type of thick doughnut called a Cruller to use up fat before Lent. In some villages people hold an Easter walk or ride in memory of the walk Jesus took to His death. On Easter Saturday night children light huge bonfires.

They have an egg tree. This is a small tree branch put in a vase about two weeks before Easter. Real eggs that have been painted and decorated are hung from the branches. Other small, highly decorated eggs the family has collected are also hung on the tree.

In Germany, children play a game called Chocolate Kiss.

Egg Gathering a popular outdoor game in Germany.

Also in Germany, eggs used for cooking are not broken but are emptied by blowing the contents into a bowl through pinholes at either end of the hen's egg. The hollow eggs are then died and hung from shrubs and trees during Easter week.

Easter in Greece

Eggs date back to the Roman Empire, when people would paint eggs in bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring for use in egg-rolling contests or as gifts. Eggs represented fertility and were considered good luck.

In Greece, the egg honors the blood of Christ by exchanging Crimson eggs.

In Greece, there are outdoor banquets on Easter Sunday. The feast of barbequed lamb, eggs, bread, salads, and Easter cake is spread on long tables for everyone to enjoy.

In Greece people carry around a brightly colored egg on Easter Sunday. When they meet another person they knock their eggs together and say, "Christ is risen".

Greeks eat a round, flat loaf marked with a cross that is decorated with red Easter eggs called a Christopsomon.

Easter is a very important family religious festival. Greeks fast through Lent. On Good Friday flags fly at half-mast, church bells toll, then in the evening after holy service a candle-lit procession - priests in their robes, gilt crosses and then the congregation - file to the town square.

Saturday is a day of happy preparation. Churches are decorated and everyone cooks a feast. Easter eve the churches are crowded, everyone with unlit candles. At midnight the lights go out. The priest brings out alighted candle and the flame is passed from one candle to another. "Christos anesti!" Christ is risen, the priest proclaims. Bells, fireworks, jubilation! The next day it's feasting and merry-making.

Easter in Ireland

In Ireland, people dance in the streets on Easter Sunday. The dancers compete for the prize of a cake.

In Ireland Easter is a very sacred time of fasting and prayer. On Easter Saturday at church hundreds of small candles are lit off the Paschal candle that has been blessed by the priest. On Easter Sunday a quiet meal is eaten at home. Traditional Easter meal of leek soup and roasted spring lamb.

Good Friday was an extremely solemn day in Ireland. Most people eat nothing at all until midday, and went about barefoot. No one killed animals, no wood was burned or made into things, and no nail was driven. No one is aloud to move house, or begin any important enterprise. No one fishes. Eggs that are laid on Good Friday were marked with a cross, and everybody ate at least one of these eggs on Easter Sunday.

On Easter Saturday they use to hold herring processions. These were mock funerals of herrings, and these processions were often held because people became so sick of eating herring during Lent. The processions were often organized by butchers, because they have very little business during Lent.

Other things done on Easter Saturday are priests blessing and distributing holy water. Each member of the household was sprinkled, and then the house and the cattle.

Easter Sunday people eat large quantities of eggs. Eggs are often dyed or decorated and egg rolling used to be a favorite pastime.

Easter in Israel

Catholics and Protestants celebrate Easter at the same time as the rest of the world, were as Orthodox Christian churches celebrate it two weeks later.

At Easter there are many processions where groups travel the route of Jesus Christ's journey to Golgotha. The route is referred to as the Twelve Stations of the Cross.

People or pilgrims travel from all over the world to this holy event. At one o'clock in the afternoon on Greek Easter Sunday the leader of the church goes into the tomb of Jesus and the doors are closed after him. The lights go out, bells ring and the leader appears with a blazing torch. The torch is said to have been miraculously lit inside the tomb. Everyone in the church lights their candles off the torch. These lights up the whole church.

Easter in Italy

In Italy, church bells ring joyfully during the year. But the bells stop ringing on the Thursday before Good Friday. They are silent for a few days while people remember the death of Jesus. On Easter Sunday morning, the bells ring out, telling people that Jesus is alive again. When people hear the bells, they kiss and hug one another.
Many children wake up on Easter Sunday and find eggs scattered about their rooms. They look in the nests they have placed in their yards or gardens and find Easter eggs in them. The eggs are said to have been bought from Rome where the bell ringing had gone to see the Pope and when the bells returned they bought with them the eggs.

In Italy olive branches are used on Palm Sunday instead of palm branches. Italians claim to have been said to have been the first to invent chocolate Easter eggs.

In Italy pretzels were originally an Easter food. The twisted shape is supposed to represent arms crossed in prayer.

Lent is preceded by a carnival with colorful pageants, masquerades, dancing, music and all kinds of merrymaking. The Carnviale begins in January and lasts until Ash Wednesday, but the ceremonies of the last three days are the gayest, especially those of Martedi Grasso or Shrove Tuesday, when pancakes are eaten.

An important part of the carnival is the wearing of masks. People wear all types of masks such as small black masks, which represent spirits and witches from the demon world.

One of the most exciting features of the festival is the death of the carnival. For example in Venice the straw body of "King Carnival" is filled with firecrackers and burned at midnight in the Piazza San Marco. The carnival figure is usually represented as a fat man, this is a symbol of the eating and drinking that takes place during this period.

Quaresima or lent, on the other hand, is represented as a lean old woman. Children are often been given the figure of an old woman with seven legs, representing the seven weeks of Lent, and at Mezza Quaresima they cut the figure in two, throwing half away and keeping the other half until the end of Lent.

During Lent, women often used to grow wheat in a dark place, so that the lack of sunlight would make it a white color. This is then used to decorate the altar of the local church during the days leading up to Easter. The white wheat represented Christ's tomb.

Domenica delle Palme or Palm Sunday, people take palm and olive branches to church to be blessed. When everyone is in the church, the doors are closed to represent the gates of Jerusalem. The priests knock three times, and the gates are then flung open in welcome, and they enter amid joyous music and the waving of palms, this is done to commemorate Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The palms are often spread over fields for good luck or patching up quarrels as an expression of peace.

Giovedi Santo or Holy Friday, many churches re-enact the ceremony of the washing of the feet at the altar. They chose 12 poor men from the parish representing the Twelve Disciples, and the priest, acting as Christ, bathes their feet.

Easter or La Pasqua is a joyous day. After morning mass people return home for the Easter dinner. The most important dish is agnellino, roasted baby lamb. The table is decorated with colored eggs which have been blessed by the priest.

In Italy lamb is eaten with a special salad made with hard-boiled eggs.

Easter in Malta

In Malta Easter has been the focus of great festivities, in the churches which have been beautifully decorated, as well as the family observances.
Malta once held a Carnival celebration, which was held just before Lent. Nowadays the Carnival is held after Easter in May to coincide with the May Day Labor festival.

The Maltese people visit seven churches to pay their respects and offer devotion on Maundy or Holy Thursday. These processions to churches are led by a person carrying a cross. The Church bells are not rung from this day until Easter Saturday.

On Good Friday a priest delivers a sermon based on the life of Christ including the first Holy Week. The sermon has a choir singing appropriate hymns which are intertwined between various pauses in the sermon. After the service a procession of 8 statues, one of which depicts Christ on the Cross, is lead through the church out around the parish and back to the church. The procession is followed by a band playing funeral marches.

On Easter Saturday all the church bells ring. People at about 11pm begin to gather at the church to take part in the Easter Vigil. The priest intones the joyful hymn "Exultet" - "Let us rejoice the Lord is risen". People exchange greetings as each person carries a candle lit from the Paschal candle.

On Sunday morning a procession is held in which the statue of Christ carries a flag, and a band plays joyful marches. This procession is followed by a family get-together for a large lunchtime meal of spring lamb, baked potatoes and local vegetables. After dinner, a figolla is given to each child. This is a baked confectionery pastry, cut in the shapes of Christian symbols. Nowadays chocolate eggs or rabbits are also given to children.

Easter in Mexico

In Mexico, Easter is a combination of Semana Santa or Holy Week which is Palm Sunday to Easter Saturday and Pascua which is Resurrection Sunday until the following Saturday.
Semana Santa celebrates the last days of the Christ's life. Pascua is the celebration of the Christ's Resurrection. It is also the release from the sacrifices of Lent.

In many communities, they may enact a full Passion Play from the Last Supper, the Betrayal, the Judgement, the Procession of the 12 Stations of the Cross, the Crucifixion and last but not least the Resurrection. In some communities, flagellation and/or real crucifixion might also be included. The enactments are often spectacularly staged, costumed and acted, with participants preparing for their roles for nearly the full year leading up to Semana Santa.

In Mexico they have parades each day of the last week of lent. The parade held on Good Friday is the saddest. The parade winds through the dark streets early in the morning. Drums beat and church bells ring slowly. People in the parade carry large statues of Jesus and his mother, Mary. There are crowds of people watching the procession go by. They sing sad songs. They sometimes carry candles to brighten the darkness. Everyone is sad on this day, but in two days it will be Easter Sunday, a time to be happy again.

Easter in The Netherlands

In the Netherlands the day before Lent begins is Carnival day which is referred to as Vastenavond or Fast Eve. In South Holland the celebrations begin on the Sunday and last for three days. Preparations begin the previous year on 11th day of the 11th month, when a council of 11 meets to organize the plans. Traditionally the number 11 is the number for fools, and during Carnival people are allowed to be as foolish as they wish. At this time dances are popular, parades and masquerade balls. In each town someone is elected prince of the Carnival and he is handed the keys to the city.
On Palm Zondag or Palm Sunday children go in processions from farm to farm collecting eggs for the Easter sports. To find the eggs they carry a curiously decorated stick known as a Palmpaas or Easter "palm". This stick is attached to a hoop which is covered with boxwood and adorned with colored paper flags, egg shells, sugar rings, oranges, raisins, figs, chocolate eggs, small cakes and baked dough figures or swans or cocks.

On Easter Sunday or as it is known in the Netherlands Paas Zondag there is a special Easter meal. The table is decorated with colored eggs and spring flowers, and Paasbrood which is a sweet bread with raisins and currants, is one of the special foods traditionally served at Easter. In the east almost every village lights an Easter bonfire on some hill or high point. People begin collecting wood for the fires weeks in advance, each area tries to outdo each other by building the biggest and best fire than its neighbors.

Easter Monday is a day for egg games. The youngest children hunt for colored eggs which have been hidden around the house or in the garden, while the older children have egg cracking contests or as it is also known eiertikken contests.

Easter in Poland

In Poland they celebrate Easter with the Blessing Basket. They prepare the basket the Saturday before Easter. Inside the basket they place beautifully colored eggs, bread, cake, salt, paper and white colored sausages and with the basket they then go to church to have the basket of food blessed. It is believed that Great Lent which is the forty day fast before Easter is not over until the basket has been blessed hence the reason why it is called Blessing Basket.
All that is contained in the basket is of meaning such as the colored eggs mean the risen Christ, the bread and salt are for good health and a prosperous life, the sausages are supposed to be a wish for enough food and fertility for the coming spring. There is also cheese and marzipan which are another part of the Easter basket.

Another tradition is the tradition of Watering which is where everyone splashes each other with water as this is considered to bring good health to all. No one is safe from this tradition.

In Poland for over 800 years Easter Monday has been "Switching Day". On this day boys swat their girlfriends with a small willow branch. On Easter Tuesday the girls get even by swatting the boys.

In Poland a cake like bread is eaten. It is shaped like a peasant woman's full skirt.

In Poland it is the custom to decorate the eggs with rug yarn.

Dyngus or Smingus Dyngus is celebrated in Poland on the first Monday after Easter. On this day boys lie in wait to sprinkle girls with water or perfume. It is said that girls who get caught and soaked with water will marry within the year. This may be the very reason why some girls make feeble attempts to escape the dousing.

This custom of dousing may be of pagan origin since the pouring of water is an ancient spring symbol of cleansing and purification. Another theory is that this represents the renewal of the sacrament of baptism after Christ has risen. Also, according to legend, the Polish ruler, Prince Mieszko the First was baptized in 966 on Easter Monday.

The first recorded account of Dyngus dates back to the Middle Ages when the custom was known as Oblewania. Evidently, the women were given ample time to retaliate. The old chronicle says that "on Tuesday and every day thereafter until the time of the Green Holidays or Pentecost where the women doused the men.

In Poland, the food is set out ready all day long, so that everyone can eat just when they feel like it. The table is decorated with green leaves and a sugar lamb may be placed as a centre-piece.

At the feast there are cold meats and salads and plenty of eggs. Children take samples of food to church to be blessed by the priest.

In Poland the Kitchen table is covered with evergreen leaves and then Easter food is put on it. Before anything is eaten it must blessed first by the priest.

Easter in Romania

In Romania the Christian Church says that Jesus was born during the winter solstice and his death followed by his resurrection happened during the spring equinox, the Easter.
The most important Christian holiday is the day of Jesus' Resurrection. Cleaning the houses, wearing new clothes, the ritual bath before going to church, all these are supposed to mark a new beginning. After a long fast - the Lent, tables full with all sorts of good dishes and brightened up with beautiful painted eggs create a festive atmosphere. Children are the happiest of all looking for their gifts and colored eggs in the newly grown grass.

Everybody including the peasants are beautifully dressed in their national costumes, with lit candles in their hands, gathered together around the churches at midnight in order to solemnly utter:"Jesus Christ has risen from the dead". Everywhere around the churches, on the hills or in the plains, people light fires and sing Our Savior’s praises.

After the service, their is a multitude of flaring lit candles, a most uplifting and touching sight, make for home where people clink Easter eggs with beautifully dyed or exquisitely painted shells. The craftsmanship of dyeing the eggs at Easter, is an ancient tradition with Romanians, is due to the belief that eggs represent the source of life. The egg, preserver of the mystery of the origin of life, has always been related to the rites of the revival of nature. There is definitely a close link between Easter, the egg and the vernal equinox as the three of them cheese, cake, lamb roast and broth, drob which is a spiced minced lamb and fresh cottage cheese.

Easter in Russia

In Russia Christians go to church late on Easter Saturday night. At midnight they go out and walk around the outside of the church singing songs. The priest knocks on the door and everyone goes in to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The priest blesses the people's food and they return home to have a happy feast.
It has been a custom to give friends and family brightly decorated eggs at Easter time, exchanged with the happy saying, "Christ is risen". Over a hundred years ago a jeweler called Faberge began making beautiful Easter eggs out of gold, silver, diamonds and other precious stones.

They eat lamb, chicken, pork, bread, and Easter cake. Easter Sunday is a happy day of eating and visiting.

In Russia, pussy willow branches are picked especially for Easter. People tap each other with them for good luck.

Easter in Spain

On Palm Sunday, people go to mass in the morning. Children carry palm leaves to be blessed by the priest. Boys carry a simple palm branch, and the girls carry a branch that has been decorated. They often have sweets, tinsel or other decorations hanging from them.
In Christian churches, Ash Wednesday is the first day of the penitential season of Lent, so called this ceremony for it is the ceremony of placing ashes on the forehead as a sign of penitence. In the Roman Catholic Church, ashes obtained from burned palm branches of the previous Palm Sunday are blessed before mass on Ash Wednesday. The priest places the blessed ashes on the foreheads of the officiating priests, the clergy, and the congregation, while reciting over each one the following: "Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return".

Lent is a period of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter. The length of the Lenten fast, during which observant eat sparingly, was established in the 4th century as 40 days. The 40-day period begins on Ash Wednesday and extends, with the omission of Sundays, to the day before Easter.

On Maundy Thursday there is a special celebration in Verges (Gerona). A macabre dance is performed by men dressed as skeletons.

In Spain, the saints or pasos are carried through the streets by specially chosen people, some of whom wear the traditional hooded costumes of the community.

Easter in Sweden

Easter week starts with Palm Sunday, which is commemorating Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This is a day of joyous processions of people carrying branches of early budding willows to lie before the images of Christ.
There are certain superstitions attached to Easter. People believed that witches were especially active and their black magic especially powerful during this week. On Maundy Thursday they were thought to fly off on brooms to consort with the devil at some place called blåkulla, returning the following Saturday.

Another superstition on Maundy Thursday or Easter Eve Swedish girls and boys dress up as hags and pay visits to their neighbors. Some leave a small decorated card, an "Easter letter", hoping for a sweet or coin in return. The custom of making "Easter letters" is especially widespread in western Sweden. This is where it is also the custom to slip the letter into a person’s mailbox or under his door without being seen. The identity of the sender is a secret.

Easter bonfires are also especially the custom in the western provinces, where villages vie to see who can make the biggest one. The custom of shooting also lives on, albeit in the form of shooting off fireworks.

Eggs are the most common Easter food, and hard boiled eggs are traditionally eaten the evening before Easter Sunday. While the eggs are often decorated, neither their decorations nor the traditions associated with them are as elaborate as in many countries on the continent.

On Good Friday in Northern Sweden there was a custom which wasn't that pleasant for the girls... Early in the morning the boys in the village gathered, equipped with birch twigs. Then they went to every farm in the neighborhood and whipped the girls with the branches until they gave the boys something to drink, and that wasn't water... After some visits to the farm the boys usually lost a bit of their judgment and sometimes it could be rather unpleasant for the girls... On the other hand, the girls got their revenge on the night between Easter Day and Easter Monday when they in turn gathered to give the boys some of their own medicine.

On the Wednesday before Easter known as Dymmelsonsdagen it was common practice to fasten some kind of object for obvious reason, something which would make the bearer silly on the back of some poor unsuspecting victim. The whole point was that the victim shouldn't notice the object and walk around with it the whole day.

Easter in United States of America

Easter in the US is celebrated in many different ways by many different religions. Mostly it is celebrated with traditional church services and family festive celebrations. On Easter Sunday in New York and other cities, large street parades are held where people show off their new clothes and Easter bonnets. The parade is often led by someone carrying a candle or a cross.
American children play a game called Easter Egg Roll.

The world's most famous Mardi Gras carnival is held each year in New Orleans. It has parades, jazz bands and parties where everybody dresses up and joins in the fun. Groups of people called krewes prepare decorated floats with a Mardi Gras king and queen. Mardi Gras means 'Fat Tuesday' and only refers to Shrove Tuesday. The day after Mardi Gras is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

Easter is a time to eat special foods. In US it is baked ham, potatoes and vegetables.

In the US at Easter Hot Cross Buns are served as well.

This post was written by Primeraptor.

Saptamana Mare dinaintea Pastelui

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:53:00 +0000

  Pastele este cea mai importanta sarbatoare crestina a anului. De Pasti se sarbatoreste invierea lui Iisus, fiul lui Dumnezeu. Biblia spune ca la trei zile dupa moartea lui Iisus, mormantul Lui a fost gasit gol. Curand, discipolii Lui au inceput sa-L intalneasca. Crestinii cred ca invierea lui Iisus inseamna ca si ei pot primi o noua viata dupa moarte. Acesta credinta este celebrata de Pasti.
  Ultima saptamana a postului de Paste se incheie cu Saptamana Mare, a patimilor lui Hristos. In Saptamana Mare se face curatenie generala in gospodarii. Curtile sunt maturate, surile sunt curatate de gunoaie, gardurile sunt reparate, santurile sunt curatate de namol si adancite. Casele trebuie sa straluceasca de curatenie pentru ca ele "te blestema daca Pastile le prind necuratate".

In lunea Saptamanii Mari se scoate totul la aerisit, se lipesc si se varuiesc casele iar mobilierul este spalat si reparat.

Pana miercuri, inclusiv, sunt permise muncile in camp. Dupa aceasta zi barbatii trebaluiesc pe langa casa, ajutandu-si nevestele la treburile gospodaresti.

In Joia Mare, data limita slujbelor speciale dedicate mortilor, fiecare familie duce la biserica colaci, prescuri, vin, miere de albine si fructe pentru a fi sfintite si impartite, apoi, de sufletul mortilor, parte preotului, parte satenilor aflati la biserica, in cimitir sau pe la casele lor.

Pana la Joia Mare, femeile

se straduiau sa termine torsul de frica Joimaritei care, in imaginarul popular era o femeie cu o infatisare fioroasa ce pedepsea aspru lenea nevestelor sau a fetelor de maritat. Uneltele de tortura ale Joimaritei erau caldura, oala cu jaratec, vatraiul sau carligul pentru foc. Aceasta fiinta mitologica folosea mijloace cumplite de tortura: ardea degetele si mainile fetelor si femeilor lenese, le parlea parul si unghiile si incendia fuioarele de canepa gasite netoarse.

De multe ori nici flacaii lenesi, cei care nu terminau de reparat gardurile sau nu ingrijeau bine animalele pe timpul iernii, nu erau iertati de aceste pedepse. De fapt, Joimarita era, la origini, o zeitate a mortii care supraveghea focurile din Joia Mare si care, treptat, a devenit un personaj justitiar ce pedepsea lenea si nemunca.

Conform traditiei, in noaptea ce premerge Joia Mare sau in dimineata acestei zile se deschid mormintele si sufletele mortilor se intorc la casele lor. Pentru intampinarea lor se aprindeau focuri prin curti, in fata casei sau in cimitire, crezandu-se ca, astfel, ei aveau posibilitatea sa se incalzeasca. Focurile de Joi-Mari erau ruguri funerare aprinse pentru fiecare mort in parte sau pentru toti mortii din familie si reprezentau o replica precrestina la inhumarea crestina din Vinerea Mare.

Aceste focuri se deosebesc de focurile ritualice de peste an - focurile de Mucenici, de Lasatul Secului, de San - George sau de Sanziene. Ele se faceau din plante considerate a avea virtuti magice ( alun, boz, tei) ce erau adunate de catre copii sau de catre tinerele necasatorite. Focurile se inconjurau cu tamaie si agheasma, in jurul lor se asezau scaune "pentru mortii ce urmau sa soseasca" si se dadea de pomana copiilor, vecinilor si rudelor. Obiceiul se mai pastreaza in unele sate din zona montana a Bucovinei (Moldovita, Paltin, Argel, Vama, Brodina de Sus etc), purtand denumirea de "incalzitul mosului" dar, de cele mai multe ori, semnificatiile sale nu mai sunt cunoscute, el avand mai ales caracter de divertisment.

Joia Mare este ziua in care, de regula, se prepara cele mai importante copturi pascale: pasca,cozonacii cu mac si nuca si babele coapte in forme speciale de ceramica. Pasca cea mai importanta coptura rituala a Pastelui, se face din faina de grau de cea mai buna calitate, cernuta prin sita deasa, si are, cel mai adesea, forma rotunda. Aluatul dospit se pune in tavi speciale pentru pasca, dupa care, de jur imprejur, se aseaza aluatul impletit din doua sau trei sucituri si se lasa totul la crescut.In mijlocul tavii se aseaza, apoi, branza de vaca, pregatita cu zahar, oua, mirodenii si stafide. Peste branza se face o cruce, din acelasi aluat impletit, impodobita cu ornamente in forma de floare. Se unge totul cu ou si se coace in cuptorul incalzit. Alta data, cojile oualor folosite la pasca nu se aruncau si nici nu se ardeau. Ele se strangeau cu multa grija intr-un vas special si se aruncau in Sambata Pastelui pe o apa curgatoare crezandu-se ca, astfel, gainile si puii aveau sa fie paziti de uliu peste vara. Se mai credea ca, in felul acesta, se dadea de stire Blajinilor - popor mitic care traia sub pamant - ca se apropie cea mai mare sarbatoare a crestinilor.

Ultima vineri din Postul Mare este numita in Bucovina Vinerea Pastilor, Vinerea Patimilor, Vinerea Neagra, Vinerea Seaca sau Vinerea Mare. Conform traditiei crestine, este, ziua in care Iisus a fost rastignit si a murit pe cruce pentru rascumpararea neamului omenesc de sub jugul pactului stramosesc. Din aceasta cauza Vinerea Mare este zi de post negru.

In Vinerea Mare este interzis a se face copturi. Exista credinta ca daca cineva se incumeta a coace in aceasta zi face mare pacat iar coptura nu este mancata nici macar de pesti.

In Vinerea Mare, dimineata, inainte de rasaritul soarelui, oamenii alergau desculti prin roua sau se scaldau tainic in ape curgatoare crezand ca, in felul acesta, vor fi sanatosi pe tot parcursul anului. Seara, insa, intreaga suflare a satului bucovinean mergea la biserica pentru a participa la slujba de scoatere a aerului si pentru a trece pe sub acesta. in scopuri terapeutice.

Sambata Mare este ultima zi de pregatire a Pastilor, cand femeile trebuie sa pregateasca marea majoritate a mancarilor, sa deretice prin incaperi si sa faca ultimele retusuri la hainele noi pe care urmau sa le imbrace in zilele de Pasti. De obicei, in Sambata Mare are loc si sacrificiul mielului, din carnea caruia se pregatesc mancari traditionale: drobul, numit in Bucovina cighir, friptura si borsul de miel.

Spre deosebire de Craciun, pentru Pasti nu se pregatesc prea multe feluri de mancare, de unde si zicerea: "Craciunul este satul iar Pastele este fudul". Principala grija a oamenilor, inaintea Pastilor, este aceea de a-si primeni hainele, fiecare gospodina trebuind sa aiba o camasa noua, cusuta in mod special, iar barbatii macar o palarie noua.

Sambata seara fiecare gospodina isi pregateste cu grija cosul ce urmeaza a fi dus la biserica, pentru sfintire.

In el asterne un stergar curat si aseaza o lumanare alba, apoi oua rosii, pasca, cozonac,oua incondeiate, o bucata de slanina, muschi de porc, sunca special preparata, zahar, faina, salata de hrean cu sfecla rosie fiarta, sare, cativa catei de usturoi, o ramura de busuioc, un fir-doua de breaban (numit brebanoc sau barbanoc), carnati, un miel din aluat copt intr-o forma speciala etc.Totul se acopera cu cel mai frumos stergar pe care il are gospodina, semn de pretuire a sarbatorii pascale dar si de mandrie personala.

Batrani parinti...

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:38:00 +0000

Era o simpla dimineatza de vara.Cocosul tinea mortis ca prin cantatul sau sa arate intregi lumi ca el e primul care s-a trezit...si uite asa parca totul incepe sa ia viata....Soarele ce rasare,iar prin razele lui marete incearca sa acopere fiecare particica a Pamantului ,pasarile incep sa isi cante coroana rituala a diminetii iar rand pe rand pe ulita satului se vedeau cum treceau oameni ce in spate isi tinea sapa cu care avea sa isi munceasca pamantul...

Intr-o veche casuta,se aflau doi batrani,care cu roua dimineti isi spalau gingasi ochi.Uitande-se la calendar,batrana mama,mai incercuieste o zi a luni,si oftand din tot sufletul spune"OFF DOAMNE...A MAI TRECUT O ZI...OARE CATE VOR MAI TRECE?",cu ochii tristi si plini de lacrimi batranul tata isi bate babutza peste umar si ii spune:"HAIDE FEMEIE SA MUNCIM PAMANTUL...NU E TIMP SA NE PLANGEM".Si uite asa uitandu-se la o poza de pe geamul casei,batrani isi intareau puterile.Si-au hranit animalele si lundu-si in spate sapa,au plecat sa-si munceasca pamantul.

Acel pamant nu era muncit pentru ca nu mai aveau bucate in casa,caci la faramiturile pe care ei le mancau...nici nu se punea problema.Batrani isi munceau pamantul cu speranta ca intr-o zi toate cele adunate le va imparti copiilor lor!
Soarele ii cedeaza Luni locul lui pe cer...,si uite asa noaptea vine!Batrani parinti coboara incet de pe deal,mergand spre locul cel mai de pret,mergand spre casa.Isi iubeau la nebunie casa,nu pentu ceea ce era...ci

pentru ceea ce ascundea:AMINTIRI MINUNATE ALATURI DE COPII LOR!

Batrana mama,primul lucru pe care il facea cand ajungea in casa era sa se duca la fereastra de la patul sau,sa ia poza cu copii sai si sa ii pupe pe rand.Dar dintr-o data,ochii ii inlacrimau,lacrimile se zbatreau sa iasa afara,cu mana plina de bataturi isi impinge pe spate parul alb si carunt,si uitandu-se la calendar observa ca maine se vor face trei ani de cand sunt singuri,trei ani de dor,trei ani de cand in fiecare seara pupa aceea poza,trei ani de cand in fiecare noapte adormea pe pragul casei sperand ca dimineatza cand se va trezi copii ei vor fii langa ea.Dar nu era asa,de trei ani,in mijlocul noptii batranul tata se chinuia sa isi adune puterile spre a-si duce nevasta in pat, dupa ce corpul ii era slabit de tristete,suferinta si plansete.

Desi pentru toata lumea,dimineatza inseamna o noua zi de speranta,de a lupta,de a spera,pentru cei doi batrani dimineata inseamna amar,suferinta si inca un vis spulberat!Insa, in dimineatza asta....totul parea diferit...desi cocosul a avut grija sa trezeasa pe toata lumea,desi vedeai oameni cum fugeau la treaba de zi cu zi;in dmineatza asta.....pasarile nu isi mai cantau serenada,florile nu mai vroiau sa isi mai deschida petalele,iar cerul de un albastru inchis acoperea razele Soarelui.

In dimineatza asta,batranii parinti erau fericiti,radeau cand alergau prin curtea casei dupa copii lor,rasetele lor rasunau in tot satul la povestiile pe care copii lor le spuneau...pentru prima data dupa zile amare in care mancarea nu mai avea gust...pentru prima data cand batranii mancau cu pofta.In ochii lor stralucea acea fericire ca in sfarsit sunt langa copii lor pe care ii iubeau atat de mult,simteau cum nu isi mai puteau opri corpul din tremurat...pentru ca in sfarsit in dimineatza asta visul lor nu a fost facut scrum...in sfarsit in dimineatza asta...ERAU DOI BATRANI PARINTI FERICITI.
Cerul plangea,suflete de oamneni ii strigau ...tipete si lacrimi acoperau satul.

Iar in departare copii lor blestemau dorul ...blestemau iubirea...blestemau dorinta de a-i revedea,dorinta de ai readuce inapoi ,BLESTEMAU ACEA DIMINEATZA...pt ca aceea dimineata a adus fericire in doua suflete...dar pretul ei a fost mult prea mare...pretul ei a fost durere, tristete, plansete,lacrimi si mai presus de toate pretul ei a fost un
dor amar in sufletul nu a doua persoane....ci la zeciile de persoane ce ii iubeau.....!! pe acei BATRANI PARINTI!!!

Aceasta micutza poveste am scris-o pentru parintii mei cei scumpi,desi sunt la sute de kilometri distanta de mine ,vreau sa le reamintesc ca ii iubesc din tot sufletul,si oricat de dureroasa este distanta...le promit ca vom fii intotdeauna impreuna....voi face tot ce-mi sta in putere...sa ii fac fericiti si sa ii rasplatesc macar pe jumatate pt ca mi-au dat viata si pt ca sunt cei mai minunati parinti din lume!!!
   VA IUBESC DIN TOT SUFLETUL INGERSII MEI
   SI MA ROG IN FIECARE SEARA PENTRU VOI!
   Cu toata dragostea Claudia

Povestea Dragostei

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 08:10:00 +0000

Demult, undeva pe Pamant, s-au adunat toate calitatile si simturile omenesti.

Cand Plictiseala a cascat pentru a treia oara, Nebunia, nebunatica ca intotdeauna, a propus:
  - Hai sa ne jucam de-a v-ati ascunselea!
Intriga si-a ridicat ispitita sprancenele, iar Curiozitatea, neputand sa retina, a intrebat:
  -V-ati ascunselea? Ce mai este si aceasta? Este oare vreun joc?
Nebunia a explicat ca isi va acoperi ochii si va numara pana la un milion, in timp ce toti ceilalti se vor ascunde, iar cand numaratoarea va lua sfarsit, primul ce va fi gasit va lua locul si astfel jocul va continua...
   Entuziasmul a luat-o la dans pe Euforie, iar Bucuria a executat intr-atat de multe tumbe, incat chiar si Indoiala s-a lasat convinsa, ba mai mult, chiar si Apatia cea mereu bosumflata si neinteresata...
   Insa nu toti au acceptat sa ia parte la aceasta activitate. Adevarul a preferat sa nu se ascunda:

- De ce sa ma ascund, daca pana la urma tot voi fi descoperit?
Aroganta a considerat acest joc ridicol (ceea ce o deranja mai mult era faptul ca ideea nu ii apartinuse), iar Lasitatea a preferat sa nu indrazneasca.
Unu, doi, trei, a inceput Nebunia sa numere. Prima care s-a ascuns a fost Lenea, care, ca intotdeauna, s-a culcat in spatele celei mai apropiate pietre. Credinta s-a inaltat spre cer, iar Invidia s-a ascuns in umbra Triumfului, care, prin propriile sale forte, a ajuns in coroana celui mai inalt copac. Generozitatea aproape ca nu reusea sa se ascunda, fiecare loc pe care il cauta parand sa fie mai potrivit pentru un prieten de-al ei decat pentru sine. Un lac de cristal? Locul ideal pentru Frumusete! Scorbura unui copac? Locul perfect pentru Rusine. Zborul unui fluture? Minunat pentru Voluptuozitate! Rafala unui vant? Locul magnific pentru Libertate! In sfarsit s-a ascuns intr-o raza de soare. Egoismul, dimpotriva, si-a gasit un loc convenabil chiar de la inceput, insa numai pentru el. Minciuna s-a ascuns la fundul oceanului (adevarata Minciuna in realitate s-a ascuns dupa curcubeu!), iar Pasiunea si Dorinta in craterul unui vulcan.
Neatentia...pur si simplu a uitat unde s-a ascuns...dar aceasta nu este atat de important!

Cand Nebunia a ajuns la 999.999, Dragostea nu isi gasise inca o ascunzatoare pentru ca fusese atat de ocupata...pana cand a observat o tufa de trandafiri si, profund impresionata, s-a ascuns intre flori. "Un milon!" a numarat Nebunia si a inceput sa caute.

Prima pe care a gasit-o a fost Lenea, la numai trei pasi. Dupa aceasta Credinta a fost auzita discutand cu Dumnezeu despre teologie, iar Pasiunea si cu Dorinta au fost vazute facand vulcanul sa vibreze. Intr-o secunda, ea a gasit-o pe Invidie, deci nu a fost greu de dedus unde se ascundea Triumful. Egoismul nici nu a trebuit sa fie cautat, caci a iesit singur la iveala, dintr-un cuib de viespi. Mergand atat de mult, i s-a facut sete, si venind inspre lac, a descoperit-o pe Frumusete. Cu Indoiala a fost si mai usor caci aceasta sta cocotata pe un gard, neputand decide unde sa se ascunda.

Astfel i-a gasit pe toti, Talentul - in iarba tanara, Frica - intr-o pestera intunecate, Minciuna - in spatele curcubeului (iarasi o minciuna...era totusi la fundul oceanului...), chiar si pe Neatentie, care a uitat pur si simplu de joaca.
Numai Dragostea nu putea fi gasita. Nebunia o cautase in fiecare tufaris, fiecare raulet, pe piscurile muntilor, si, cand era aproape gata sa renunte, a zarit tufa de trandafiri infloriti...Cu un tepus ea a inceput sa indeparteze crengutele ghimpoase, cand deodata auzi un strigat ascutit: spinii au impuns ochii Dragostei. Nebunia nu stia ce sa mai faca pentru a-si cere iertare, a plans, a rugat, a implorat si chiar s-a oferit sa ii fie ajutor si indrumator.

Incepand cu acea zi

DRAGOSTEA E OARBA SI

NEBUNIA O INSOTESTE MEREU...

Ce e viata???

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:22:00 +0000

O vrabiuta isi scoase capul de sub aripa si intreba: “Ce este viata?”

Toti cei din jur au fost surprinsi de aceasta intrebare grea. Un trandafir tocmai inflorea, deschizandu-si petalele. El spuse: “Viata este o deschidere!”

Fluturele, care tocmai se odihnea pe una dintre petalele trandafirului dupa ce zburase de la o floare la alta, ii raspunse: “Viata este libertate si fericire!”

O papadie simti vantul atingand-o in joaca si spuse tematoare: “Viata este risipire, da, doar risipire…”

Jos, pe pamant, o furnica tragea dupa sine un pai de grau de zece ori mai mare decat ea. Cand auzi un asemenea lucru se opri, isi trase sufletul si spuse: “Viata nu este decat truda si munca!”

Poate ca ar fi inceput sa se certe daca nu ar fi venit o ploaie fina care sopti: “Viata este formata din lacrimi, doar din lacrimi!”

Deasupra ei plutea plin de maiestate un vultur care, de acolo de sus, spuse: “Viata este o nazuinta spre inalt!”

Apoi veni noaptea.

Dupa un timp, un om mergea acasa pe aleile goale. Venea de la o petrecere si se gandea… “Viata este o continua cautare a fericirii si o inlantuire de deceptii!”

Dupa lunga noapte venira in sfarsit si zorii diminetii, care spusera: “Asa cum noi suntem inceputul zilei care vine, la fel viata este inceputul vesniciei…”

Ma intreb cum ai raspunde daca te-as intreba: “Pentru tine, ce este viata?"

“Suntem ca păianjenul. Ne ţesem viaţa şi apoi ne deplasăm de-a lungul aţelor. Suntem ca visătorul care visează şi apoi trăieşte în vis. Ăsta-i un adevăr valabil pentru întregul univers."

                                                             UPANIŞADE

üᾔ ẕαღßε☂ ,◎ ƒℓøαґ℮ ...ʊη ღ☺μεηт ∂ℯ яℯłαϰ@ґ℮❣

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:50:00 +0000

Dimineatza de vis...Soarele isi impune maretia sa prin calduroasele raze,pasarile isi scutura aripiile in sunetul muzicii,albinutzele zboara in graba spre a-si culege polenul mult asteptat de pe minunatele flori ale primaverii!

Ce poate fii mai minunat decat sa iti bei cafeaua de dimineatza in mirosul primaverii???Te uiti cum in jurul tau totul a luat viata,ciripitul pasarilor le da incredere bobocilor de flori sa infloeasca.

Prin infloritii copaci,o ciocanitoare isi construieste casuta de vara,veveritele topaie pe iarba cea verde si plina de roua,pisicutza alerga dupa un fluturas plin de culori,sperand ca de data asta il va prinde,iar la umbra unui cires salbatic inflorit,micutzul Rex alearga dupa coditza lui,nervos ca nu o poate ajunge!

Bun venit Primavara cu minunatele tale sonete,cu minunatele tale culori!Bun venit Primavara ce aduci in sufletul fiecarecaruia caldura si armonie ,visare si relaxare si mai presus de toate ne oferi o emotie in suflet la care visam sa nu aiba sfarsit!

Pe o banca de lemn,in spatele casei,in colorata gradina plina de flori...ma relaxez!E timpul sa-mi rezerv cateva minute numai mie si primaverii......e timpul sa-i citesc acesteia ce omagii i-am facut noi muriitori de pe Pamant pentru minunatiile pe care ni le ofera in fiecare an...si parca pe an ce trece...ne aduce mereu ceva MAI SUPERB,MAI COLORAT,MAI MINUNAT!

Primavara
A cunoaste. A iubi
Înc-o data, iar si iara
a cunoaste-nseamna iarna
a iubi e primavara.

A iubi - aceasta vine
tare de departe-n mine.
A iubi - aceasta vine
tare de departe-n tine.

A cunoaste. A iubi.
Care-i drumul? Ce te-ndeamna?
A cunoaste - ce înseamna?
A iubi - de ce ti-e teama?
printre flori si-n mare iarba?

Printre flori si-n mare iarba,
patima fara pacate
ne rastoarna-n infinit,
cu rumoare si ardoare
de albine re-ncarnate.

Înc-odata, iar si iara,
a iubi e primavara.

Lucian Blaga

Aprilie

Fii bucuros, iubite, în iarba matasoasa;
Parfumul primaverii se simte tot mai greu;
Vezi, lunca-i înflorita si cânta si-i frumoasa.
Fii bucuros, iubitul meu !

Aduc în dar iubirii întregu-mi suflet ; vina

Sa simti mireasma dulce pe-ngustele carari.

În falnica padure, în stearsa ei lumina,

Ce dulce-i împreuna sa ratacim în zari.

E-atât de plin de farmec sa mergi visând pe maluri,

Sa mângâi clopoteii de alb margaritar,

Sa vezi cum, capricioase, vin valuri dupa valuri

Cu sârg tesându-si parca, în jur, desenul clar.

Vom bea tot duhul molcolm al lui april, cu sete,

În inima, sfârseala sa intre picurând ;

Apoi lasa-vom ziua s-adoarma pe-ndelete,

Ca sa simtim iubirea asupra-ne veghind.

Fii bucuros, iubite, în iarba matasoasa ;

Balsamul primaverii se simte tot mai greu ;

Vezi, lumea înfloreste si cânta si-i frumoasa,

Fii bucuros, iubitul meu !

Elena Vacarescu

Daca vezi ca soarele-ti surade prin par, daca simti miros de ghiocei, daca auzi ciripit de pasarele, atunci inseamna ca traiesti o noua primavara...bucura-te de ea!Mirosul fiecarei flori sa te infasoare in armonie,ciripitul pasarilor sa-ti cante in fiecare zi o noua melodie plina de IUBIRE...iar de fiecare data cand un boboc de floare infloreste...pe fata ta sa aduca numai zambete....caci...

A VENIT PRIMAVARA!!!!!!

❤ ℙї¢ε﹩ ☺ḟ ℒ☮Ⅴℰ‼ ❤

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:10:00 +0000

❤ ℙї¢ε﹩ ☺ḟ ℒ☮Ⅴℰ‼ ❤

Sonnet CXVI by William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love,

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove.

Oh, no! it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests.. and is never shaken.

It is the star to every wandering bark

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love is not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come.

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out.. even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

My Love Is Like to Ice by Edmund Spenser (1552 - 1599)

My love is like to ice, and I to fire:

How come it then that this her cold is so great

Is not dissolved through my so hot desire,

But harder grows the more I her entreat?

Or how comes it that my exceeding heat

Is not allayed by her heart-frozen cold,

But that I burn much more in boiling sweat,

And feel my flames augmented manifold?

What more miraculous thing may be told,

That fire, which is congealed with senseless cold,

Should kindle fire by wonderful device?

Such is the power of love in gentle mind,

That it can alter all the course of kind.

❤ ℙї¢ε﹩ ☺ḟ ℒ☮Ⅴℰ‼ ❤

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:54:00 +0000

My Angel

For you my sweet angel I would die
I'd pick all the stars from the sky
And give them all just for you
To let you know how much I love you

My angel I'll love you thru all eternity
I would do anything for you sweetie
I wrote this poem from my heart
To let you know your my sweetheart

Please stay with me forever
Take my hand and lets be together
Lets fly up to the heavens above
And show everyone we are in love.

Journey of Love

Everyday that passes

I feel that I love you more

I feel thankful for the times we spend together
I know and feel that you are my perfect companion
And friend
And I'd choose you again...
And again!

Naturally we have difficult moments

But I would not give up even these

Because it's a part of the journey of love
That we've been on
I want to travel by your side...
Forever

Because I Love You

Kronstadt cunoscut si sub numele de Brasov

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:24:00 +0000

Cele mai indepartate urme ale civilizatiei nascute aici, la Brasov, dateaza de peste 60.000 ani. Trecut prin furcile vremii, acest loc a parcurs numeroase etape dezvoltarea sau regresia, specifice vechilor civilizatii ce s-au stabilit in aceasta regiune a lumii: Europa. Marturie a prezentei dacilor, cel mai vechi monument al antichitatii acestor meleaguri este Sanctuarul Dacic - Racos (greu accesibil)

Castelul roman Rasnov - Hoghiz: sunt vestigii ale vechii frontiere a Imperiului Roman, datand din secolul II e.n, care trecea in apropierea Brasovului. Cumidava este primul nume care desemneaza vechea cetate a Brasovului, acest nume fiind gasit pe o inscriptiie sculptata intr-un bloc piatra in castelul Rasnov, denumire pastrata apoi o data cu contopirea poporului dac cu poporul roman. Tara Barsei a pastrat tot timpul un rol important prin amplasarea strategica sau bogatia resurselor naturale.

Atestat documentar in anul 1235 sub numele Corona mai apoi Barasu - 1252 - Braso - 1288, cel mai important oras al Transilvaniei al evului mediu a dominat viata economica a secolelor XIV-XVI. Conform celui mai vechi act al Arhivelor Statului Brasov anul 1353 - Privilegiul de baza al orasului Brasov, activitatea comerciala din aceasta zona era infloritoare, Brasovul fiind renumit pentru calitatea marfurilor dar mai ales pentru armele care se fabricau aici. Cele mai puternice Bresle a acelor vremuri se aflau aici, atat pozitia privilegiata a orasului cat si numeroasele tratate comerciale, acordate de Domnii Tarii Romanesti, ducand la constituirea unei puternice influiente comerciale a acelor timpuri.

Bresle puternice, intre care se aflau in frunte aurarii, tesatorii, postavarii, armurierii, fierarii, aramarii, cositorarii, au facut ca Brasovul sa nu ramana doar un punct al comertului tranzit, ci un infloritor centru mestesugaresc. Anul 1377 o data cu constuirea Cetatii Bran se confirma incheiera unui tratat comercial - politic - legatura orasului Brasov cu satele libere sasesti din cadrul districtului Brasov.
Constructia orasului a fost facuta conform celor mai inalte standarde ale vremii, zidurile cetatii ,bastioanele, turnurile de paza-aparare fiind completate de depozite, piete, ateliere, pravalii, hanuri, biserici, spitale, Brasovul acelor vremuri fiind un exemplu de organizarea - exploatarea resurselor existente, numeroase cladiri se pastraza acum, cum ar fi:

Biserica Neagra

Impozantul monument din centrul Braşovului a fost construit în secolele XIV-XV. Lucrările încep în 1383 şi au la bază un proiect în stil gotic, cu mărimi impresionante: 89 m lungime, 38 m lăţime şi 42 m înălţime. În planul iniţial erau prevăzute două turnuri, dar a fost realizat doar unul, cu o înălţime de 65 m. În 1421 când lucrările se apropiau de sfârşit, năvălesc turcii producând pagube serioase construcţiei.

După trecerea pericolului lucrările au fost reluate, edificiul fiind terminat şi sfinţit în 1477, iar turnul în 1514. În 1542 când oraşul a acceptat reforma lui Honterus şi sasii au trecut la luteranism, biserica catolică de până atunci s-a transformat în evanghelică. Pe lânga scurta cronică a Transilvaniei pe anii 1143-1571, figura şi lunga listă a donatorilor care au făcut posibilă construirea bisericii (după Orban Balazs: Descrierea Ţinutului Secuiesc). Din păcate inscripţiile au dispărut în incendiul din 1689, după care edificiul devine cunoscut sub numele de "Biserica Neagră".

Prima Scoala Romaneasca

În 1495, când şi-a deschis porţile Prima Şcoală Românească, era lucru mare. La şcoală venea doar alesul satului, ca să înveţe şi să devină dascălul, notarul sau chiar preotul satului. Venea la şcoală, şi aducea o găleată de grâu, un car cu lemne şi 4 florini (bani cu care cumpărai 3-4 boi), şi studia gramatici, învăţătură bizantină, pilde din biblie, dar şi filozofia secolul XVI, citate din Aristotel, Democrit şi alţii.
Elevii de atunci, învăţau cum se fac actele oficiale în cancelarii, aveau un manual de cultura albinelor, unul cu legile comerciale, şi chiar un manual de macrobiotică – secretul de a-ţi lungi viaţa, apărut în 1844 de Pavel Vasici. Graţie diaconului Coresi aici au văzut lumina tiparului primele cărţi în limba română.
El a venit aici de la Târgovişte în 1556, când în biserică se folosea limba slavonă, iar preoţii din Ardeal începuseră să traducă în limba română cărţile bisericeşti. A recunoscut imediat că în Ardeal erau nevoie de cărţi în limba română.
Prin cele 39 de cărţi tipărite, în 150-200 de exemplare, tot serviciul religios ortodox al ţării era bine întreţinut.
În muzeul şcolii este păstrată tiparniţa, împreună cu cele 9 exemplare coresiene. În muzeu se mai pot admira cărţi ferecate în argint, documente de pe vremea lui Ştefan cel Mare, un hrişov din 1656, sălile Tudor Ciortea (muzică) şi Ştefan Mironescu (pictură).

Bastionul Graft

Întrerupând monotonia zidului de apărare, bastionul de pe malul râului Graft (Spurcata) asigura prin intermediul unui pod mobil legătura către Turnul Alb. Clădirea cu două etaje construită în perioada 1515-1516, spijininduse pe zidul de apărare a fost avarită de ploile torenţiale din 1809, şi a fost consolidată în 1822 cu trei arcuri de sprijin, poziţionate deasupra râului. În 1902 două dintre ele au fost demolate. Bastionul avea rol de comunicare şi de apărare.
Martori sunt gurile de tragere şi gurile folosite pentru turnarea smoalei topite şi a apei clocotite. În urma lucrărilor de restaurare din 2003 şi 2004 Bastonul Graf a intrat în circuitul turistic. În prezent între pereţii lui funcţionează o secţie a Muzeului Judetean de Istorie Brasov (Mesteşugarii din Brasov, apărători ai cetăţii).

Turnul Alb

Turnul Alb situat pe o stâncă a fost construit în anul 1494 şi are forma unui semicerc închis, cu partea dreaptă orientată spre oraş. Construcţia avea 5 nivele iar înălţimea varia între 18-20 metrii în funcţie de denivelările solului. Denumirea de alb provine de la aspectul lui, fiind tencuit şi văruit în alb. Partea de sus a turnului este dotată cu creneluri iar pe pereţii laterali se văd şi astăzi nişte jgheaburi ieşite în consolă de unde ploua cu pietre peste atacatori. Intrarea în turn fiind la mare înălţime accesul era posibil doar prin intermediul unor scări mobile. Marele incendiu din 1689 a cuprins şi turnul alb, urmările lui au fost înlăturate doar în 1723, când turnul a fost restaurat. În concepţia de apărare a oraşului acest turn era apărat de breasla cositorarilor şi arămarilor.

Turnul Negru

Este un turn masiv cu 11 m înălţime, care în 1995 a primit un acoperiş de sticlă. A fost construit în secolul XIV, a supravieţiuit 2 incendii cauzate de trăsnet, datorită primului (1599) a obţinut numele de Turn Negru. Accesul în interiorul lui se derula pe o poartă situată la 2 metrii inălţime. Legătura cu cetatea se realiza printr-un pod mobil şi un tunel subteran. Avea rol de a impiedica apropierea duşmanilor de ziduri. Ultima dată a fost folosit ca turn de pază în timpul epidemiei de ciumă din 1756. În prezent turnul găzduieşte expoziţii temporare.

Bastionul Tesatorilor

Bastionul a fost ridicat în două etape între anii 1421-1436 şi 1570-1573, partea prăbuşită în 1701 a fost refăcută în 1750, iar în 1910 a fost restaurat.
Are o formă hexagonală, ocupă o suprafaţă de 1.616 mp şi este înconjurat de ziduri groase (1,5 - 3 m), cu guri de tragere de tragere şi de aruncare a smoalei topite, iar la parter cu guri pentru tunuri. Pe interiorul zidurilor sunt galerii pe trei şi patru nivele. În 1800 se construiesc două încăperi pentru festivităţile breslei ţesătorilor, iar în 1807, când bastionul şi-a pierdut funcţia de apărare şi o căsuţa din faţa intrării. Din 1908, bastionul este folosit din ce în ce mai mult, pentru activităţi culturale, datorită extraordinarelor calităţi acustice au fost organizate aici chiar şi concerte de opera.
În 1950 devine muzeu, în expoziţia permanentă Cetatea Braşovului şi fortificaţiile din Ţara Bârsei, sunt expuse obiecte medievale de apărare, produse ale breslei ţesătorilor, iar în sala armelor se află o machetă a Braşovului medieval, realizată în 1896 de profesorul Friedrich Herman, o machetă a Scheiului.

Bastionul Fierarilor

Prima construcţie ridicată în acest loc a fost atestată în 1521, a avut o istorie zbuciumată. A fost distrusă de inundaţia din 1526, a fost refăcută, ca să fie distrusă de o noua inundaţie în 1667. Peste 21 de ani este afectată serios de marele incendiu din 1688, fiind refăcut după 20 de ani.
După mai multe transformări bastionul a ajuns la forma actuală. La inceput era folosit ca depozit de cereale, iar din 1923 adăposteşte Arhivele Naţionale - Braşov. Aici se păstrează, multe documente valoroase, printre care cea mai veche scrisoare redactată în limba română - epistola negustorului Neacşu din Câmpulung din 1521.

Bastionul Funarilor

Atestat în documentele din 1416, bastionul Funerarilor sau Frânghierilor a suferit mult pe timpul incendiilor din 1461 şi 1689, astel a fost reconstruită. Construcţia hexagonală cu înălţimea de 10-12 m şi cu ziduri din cărămidă şi piatră, de 2 m grosime, avea în sarcină apărarea laturii de sud a zidului de apărare. După refacere bastionul a devenit depozit pentru materiale. În 1794 breasla a construit în incinta sa o casă, care se vede şi este locuită şi astăzi.

Bationul Postavrilor

Construit între anii 1450 şi 1455 de breasla aurarilor, Bastionul Postăvarilor doar în 1640, a fost preluat de breasla postăvarilor. Este un bastion circular cu diametru de 16 m, 4 nivele şi 19 m înălţime. Zidurile lui groase de 2 metri aveau guri de tragere, iar la parter găuri pentru tunurile cumpărate din Praga. A fost unul dintre cele mai bine apărate bastione. În perioada 1961-1962 a fost consolidat, iar în 2005 renovat.

Bastionul cojocarilor

Bastionul Cojocarilor, sau Tăbăcarilor a fost construit în jurul anului 1452 şi încredinţat spre apărare breslei tăbăcarilor. De formă semicirculară, cu partea deschisă către Bastionul Postavărilor comunica cu acesta printr-o galerie de-a lungul zidului. Bastionul Cojocarilor a avut goluri de tragere şi guri pentru smoală topită. Arcurile de cărămidă ce se văd şi astăzi au fost făcute mai târziu.

Pe langa toate acete minunate obiectve turistice ,Brasovul se mai poate lauda si cu:

Biserica Groaveri

După modelul bisericii ortodoxe din Viena

avem Biserica Groaveri

Biserica Sfanta Treime

In virtutea sistemului religiilor recepte ortodocşii nu aveau voie să construiască biserică în interiorul cetăţii. Astfel după intervenţii repetate edilii oraşului aprobă în 1786 transformarea clădirilor interioare ale unor case săseşti în biserică, dar fără turn, clopot sau toacă,acum aceasta biserică este cunoscuta si sub numele de Biserica Sfanta Treime.

Teatru Dramatic

Infiinţat în 1946 si cunoscut de catre toti brasoveni ca Teatru Sica Alexandrescu

Biserica Catolica

Unicul monument baroc din oraş a fost construit între anii 1773 şi 1787, cu sprijinul împărătesei Maria Tereza,astazi cunoscut si sub numele de Biserica Catolica.

Casa Honterus

Brasovul se mai poate lauda cu resedinta unuia dintre cel mai cunoscut personaj al Brasovului medieval,cunoscut sub numele de Johannes Honterus.Autorul primei hărţi a Transilvaniei, al cărţilor întitulate Garmatici Latine şi Descrierea Lumii, întemeietorul tipografiei şi şcolii superioare din Braşov, fondatorul primei mori de hârtie din România

Muzeul de etnografie

Clădirea construită în 1902 găzduieşte muzeul etnografic, cu colecţii de etnografie şi artă populară: ceramică, sticlărie, port popular şi textile, ouă încondeiate, icoane pe sticlă, metal, piele, os, etc. un patrimoniu de 13.600 de obiecte, datate între secolele XVII - XX, reprezentând Bran, Ţara Bârsei, Rupea şi Ţara Oltului.

Casa Muresenilor

În această casă de locuinţă a familiei Mureşenilor, şi fostul sediu al redacţiei Gazeta Trasilvaniei (apărută în 1838), din anul 1968 funcţionează Muzeu memorial Casa Mureşenilor.

Muzeul de Arta

In această clădire frumoasă, construită la începutul secolului XX funcţionează Muzeul de arte. Aici sunt expuse lucrări de pictură pe lemn şi sticlă, portrete de epocă, opere din sec.

XIX realizate de mari pictori români ca Gheorghe Tătărescu, Theodor Aman, Sava Hentia, Constantin Lecca, Nicolae Grigorescu.

În anul 1900, preşedintele Tribunalului Regal dl. Georg von Weer a formulat o cerere către comunitatea oraşului Braşov pentru atribuirea unui teren de 9450 mp, pe care să se construiască Palatul de Justiţie.

Palatul Justitiei

Casa Reduta

Vechea sală de spectacole, botezată Casa Reduta, după o sală de bal din Viena, a fost centrul cultural al oraşului încă din secolul XVIII-lea.

Biserica Sfantul Martin

Biserica Sfântul Martin este unul dintre cele mai vechi monumente ale Braşovului, în 1395 regele Sigismund a comandat o slujbă aici, pe una dintre uşi este înscris anul 1522, iar pe clopotul bisericii "Magister Andreas de brash, anno 1521".

Biserica ortodoxă şi şcoala românească, construită în apropierea ei, au fost un important centru spiritual şi cultural pentru românii din toată Ţara Bârsei,astazi o cunoastem si sub numele de Biserica Sfantul Nicolae.

Biserica Sfantul Nicolae

Sinagoga ortodoxa

Sinagoga ortodoxă, lăcaşul de cult al adepţilor cultului mozaic a fost construită în 1926, şi a funcţionat până între cele două războaie mondiale, când a fost distrusă şi devastată de legionari.

Casa Hirscher

Casa construită în 1545, denumită Podul Bătuşilor, Casa negustorilor, Casa Hirscher, cea mai mare construcţie la acea vreme din oraş, cu lungimea ei de 67.5 m reflecta puternicul rol comercial al Brasovului.

Prima construcţie datează din 1524 şi este un turn în formă de semicerc. Mai târziu tot platoul a fost înconjurat cu un zid. În 1529 în timpul luptelor dintre regele Ferdinand şi János I. pentru tronul Ungariei, cetatea este ocupată şi distrusă de Petru Rareş. Zidurile ei au fost refăcute, dar peste puţin timp au fost nimicite într-un incendiu. În 1625 cetatea a fost reconstruită şi tot în acea perioadă s-a săpat şi puţul de 81 m adâncime din curtea cetăţii.

Cetatuia

Piata Sfatului

Din 1520, acest loc atestat ca târg, numită în documente Markplatz, a fost gazda a numeroase târguri. Din 1364 era organizat târgul anual cu participare largă, unde ajungeau şi negustori de peste hotare. Frumoasele case cu arcade din jurul pieţii ar putea povesti multe. În piaţă cândva a existat Stâlpul infamiei, unde au fost judecate şi vrăjitoarele şi se aplicau public pedepse corporale vinovaţilor de diferite fapte.

Poarta Ecaterina

Poarta Ecaterinei este una dintre cele mai vechi, dar cu siguranţă cea mai frumoasă poartă, care şi-a păstrat aspectul original până astăzi. A fost numită porta superior, porta corpus Christi sau porta sanctae Katharinae, ultima denumire este folosită şi în prezent.

Strada Sforii

Străduţa îngustă între străzile Cerbului şi Poarta Şchei a cărei existenţă este atestată în documentele din secolul XVII a fost un simplu coridor, pentru a ajuta munca pompierilor. Astăzi este o curiozitate a oraşului. Cei mai curajoşi afirmă că este cea mai îngustă stradă din Europa. Cert este ca lătimea ce variază între 111 şi 135 cm îi conferă titlul de cea mai îngustă stradă a oraşului. Străduţa de 80 de metrii este parcurs de toţi turiştii care ajung în oraş, este locul de întâlnire a îndrăgostiţilor şi nu în ultimul rând, o temă provocatoare pentru fotografi.

Sinagoga neologa

Sinagoga neologică cu trei nave a fost construită în anul 1901, în stil spaniol şi a fost renovată cu ocazia împlinirii a 100 de ani de existenţă.

Poarta Şchei

Poarta Şchei se află lângă Poarta Ecaterina şi a fost construită în perioada 1827 - 1828 cu rolul de a fluidiza traficul mărit din această zonă.

Din cauza sistemului religiilor recepte, ortodocşii nu aveau dreptul de a construi edificii de cult în cetate. Astfel şi Biserica Adormirea Maicii Domnului se află ascunsă într-o curte, nu are faţadă la stradă.

Biserica Adormirea Maicii Domnului.

HAIDETI SA NE MAI RECREEM MINTEA CU NISTE MINUNATE PEISAJE.....ALA BRASOVULUI:

Un oras de vis....care si-a pastrat monumentele istorice,spre a arata intregi lumi de unde provenim si din ce cultura ne tragem!Pot spune ca Brasovul se numara ca fiind unul dintre cele mai frumoase orase din Romania!Chiar daca acuma sunt foarte departe de acest minuat oras....pot spune...ca sunt mandra ca sunt brasoveanca!

Simbolurile dragostei..Simbolismul iubirii

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 19:05:00 +0000

   Daca doresti ca dragostea sa iti invaluiasca viata , sau vrei sa vezi iubirea intrupata in cei apropiati tie , tot ce trebuie sa faci este sa te concentrezi asupra insemnelor si simbolurilor universale ale acestui magic simtamant. Aceste simboluri pot stimula energia pozitiva prilejuind, in acelasi timp , noi oportunitati pentru dragostea care pluteste potential in jurul tau.
   Simbolurile dragostei nu pot defini iubirea in toata complexitatea ei , dar pot reprezenta puncte de reper in calea noastra catre acest sentiment absolut.Atunci cand te concentrezi asupra unui astfel de simbol , poti fi cufundat intr-o cunoastere profunda , care iti da sansa clarificarii si exprimarii afectiunii care te stapaneste.
   Simbolurile iubirii sunt calauze spirituale ale focalizarii catre energia dragostei.

   Intr-o practica spirituala de conectare cu efluviile iubirii ,poti proceda in felul urmator :

-Alege-ti un simbol al dragostei fata de care te simti foarte apropiat .

-Aseaza aceasta imagine intr-un loc aflat la vedere , in care sa il poti vizualiza cat mai des.
-Mediteaza asupra acestui simbol , adanceste-te asupra fiecarui detaliu si incearca sa simti energia care iti este transmisa de simbolul ales.
-Adu-ti in minte acest simbol inainte de adormi si atunci cand te trezesti.
-Scrie un jurnal al dragostei.Pune pe hartie toate senzatiile sau ideile pe care ti le inspira simbolul dragostei.
-Pastreaza in minte , cat mai mult , simbolul ales.Nu lasa gandurile sa se indeparteze de la frumusetea si puritatea lui.Lasa-te patruns de un optimism focalizat asupra celei mai inalte conceptii a iubirii.

Inima

In vechime , inima era considerata sursa tuturor emotiilor umane ; vena dragostei , pornita din inima , avea ca punct final degetul inelar de la mana stanga , deget pe care , in mod traditional , este purtata verigheta. Expresia “ a darui inima” semnifica actul voluntar de daruire totala a iubirii fata de o persoana.

- Inima este un simbol al zilei Sfantului Valentin , intrucat “ dragostea este un sentiment pornit din inima” .

-Magicienii si alchimistii au folosit inima , ca un simbol plin de forta , in incantatii si vraji de dragoste , sau in descantece de intarire a unei relatii de cuplu.
- Ca insemn al adevarului , “inima sacra” a lui Cristos este un punct central al credintei din biserica romano-catolica , reprezentand un simbol al iubirii Domnului fata de oameni.
- “Inima violeta” este un simbol al iubirii pentru cei care au cazut prada suferintei bolii sau nu ne mai sunt in preajma.
- Inima strapunsa de sageata lui Cupidon ( sageata in al carei varf,conform legendei,era un diamant ) , este cel mai cunoscut simbol al dragostei.
- Ca reprezentare grafica a unui triunghi cu varful in jos , inima semnifica un vas in care este turnata sau purtata dragostea.

Cupidon sau Eros

Iubirea si atractia dintre un barbat si o femeie este atribuita , conform traditiei , zeului Cupidon.
Cupidon ori Cupid este reprezentat ca un baietel dezbracat si rotofei , inzestrat cu aripi , afisand , adesea, un suras rautacios.El poarta un arc si o tolba cu sageti , cele din urma fiind folosite in strapungerea inimilor noastre cu fiorul amagitor al dragostei.
- In Grecia antica , Eros ( Cupidon) era fiul lui Ares , zeul razboiului si al Afroditei , zeita dragostei si a frumusetii .Potrivit marturiei lui Hesiod , Eros era o zeitate provenita din Haos si reprezenta fortele primare ale dorintei.

- Conform unei legende din mitologia romana , mama lui Cupidon , Venus, era geloasa pe frumusetea muritoarei Psyche , si i-a poruncit fiului ei sa aduca o napasta asupra rivalei salei.Cupidon , indragostit pana peste cap de Psyche , a luat-o insa in casatorie.
   Tragedia a pornit de la faptul ca , muritoare fiind , Psyche avea interdictia de nu il privi pe sotul-zeu in fata.Fericirea ei a durat pana cand , ispitita de surorile ei, Psyche a indraznit sa treaca peste aceasta ingradire.Cupidon ,pentru a-i pedepsi indrazneala , a parasit-o , iar Psyche s-a trezit , dintr-o data , in mijlocul unei campii pustii , izolata de orice fiinta umana.In cautarea iubitului ei , ea a ajuns la templul lui Venus. Neinduplecata in dorinta ei de a o distruge pe tanara femeie , zeita dragostei a supus-o unor crunte incercari, fiecare dintre ele mai grea si mai periculoasa decat cele precedente.
   Ultima proba prin care a trebuit sa treaca Psyche a constat in sarcina de a face o calatorie in lumea subpamanteana.Acolo , ea trebuia sa sustraga niste bijuterii ale lui Persephine , sotia lui Pluto , si sa le puna intr-o mica cutie incredintata de Venus. Desi fusese avertizata sa nu se uite in cutie , Psyche nu a rezistat acestei tentatii si , drept urmare , a cazut prada unui lesin mortal.
   Atunci cand Cupidon a gasit-o , el a extras din ea somnul mortii si l-a pus inapoi in cutie.Iertata de Cupidon , de Venus si de ceilalti zei , datorita iubirii sale credincioase , Psyche a fost ridicata la rangul de zeita.

Marul

  Marul este un simbol al dragostei , extazului, fertilitatii si belsugului.
-In istoria timpurie a Greciei , marul avea un rol esential in ritualul curtarii unei femei.De exemplu, in secolul VII en , un cuplu care isi dorea fericirea trebuia sa imparta un mar , ca simbol al casatoriei si insemn al sperantei intr-o uniune fertila.
-In China , marul reprezinta pacea , iar florile de mar sunt un simbol al adoratiei.

-In vechea traditie a tiganilor , daca o femeie manca jumatatea unui mar inaintea miezului noptii, iar cealalta jumatate dupa ora 12 noaptea , putea sa ii apara in vis barbatul pe care il va iubi.
- La casatoria lui Zeus cu Hera , Gaia i-a daruit miresei mere , ca o emblema al iubirii si uniunii maritale.
- Dionysus , zeul grec al vinului , atunci cand o curta pe Aphrodite , i-a dat in dar acesteia , ca simbol al dragostei care il insufletea , mere si vin.

Harpa

Harpa (fermecata) este un simbol al dragostei si paradisului , un insemn al iubirii sub forma artei lirice , a muzicii si poeziei.

   Potrivit legendei , prima harpa a fost creata de catre Canola.Dupa o cearta cu iubitul ei, Canola a ratacit tulburata prin noapte si a fost atrasa , la un moment dat , de o muzica magica care , in cele din urma , a facut-o sa cada prada somnului.A doua zi dimineata,ea descoperit sursa armonioasei melodii sub forma scheletului unei balene prin pielea carei vantul articula notele muzicale.Inspirata de descoperire,Canola a creat cea dintai harpa,pe care a dedicat-o lui Daghda,zeita celtica a belsugului si protectiei.Harpa lui Daghda era vestita pentru capacitatea de a crea trei feluri de muzica : melancolica , vesela si linistitoare.
  - Harpa este un instrument celtic traditional .Ea simboliza o punte a iubirii care facea legatura intre pamant si paradis.
  -In Norvegia si Islanda , coardele harpei formau o scara simbolizand inaltarea catre cel mai stadiu al iubirii si o cale ascedere catre paradis.
  - Biblicul rege David canta la harpa Domnului , exprimandu-si in acest fel devotiunea si iubirea fata de Dumnezeu.

Trandafirul

   Trandafirul simbolizeaza dragostea , pasiunea , dorinta , voluptatea , puritatea si perfectiunea fizica.Cea mai populara floare din cultura occidentala , trandafirul a intruchipat iubirea vreme de secole.
  In mitologia greaca si romana , primii trandafiri au aparut din sangele lui Adonis , datorita dragostei zeitei Aphrodite ( Venus) . In acest fel , ei au devenit insemne ale iubirii si ale vietii eterne.
  Culoarea trandafirilor exprima intreaga gama a emotiilor legate de dragoste :
  Violet deschis ( violet spre roz) : incantare si unicitate.
  Portocaliu : fascinatie
  Roz (inchis) : satisfactie , prietenie , admiratie.

  Rosu : dragoste , respect si curaj
  Rosu deschis : modestie , recunostiinta , admiratie si simpatie.
  Rosu inchis : frumusete si pasiune.
  Alb : inocenta , puritate , secret , tacere , respect , obedienta , iubire adevarata (pura) .
  Galben : bucurie , prietenie , gelozie , speranta si libertate.
  Rosu si alb : unitate , implicare , logodna.
  Galben si portocaliu : ganduri pasionale.
  Galben si rosu : felicitare.
   Trandafirii fara ghimpi simbolizeaza “dragostea la prima vedere” sau “Fecioara Maria”.
   Bobocii de trandafir semnifica frumusete,tinerete si o inima inocenta in iubire .Culoarea bobocilor transmite urmatoarele mesaje :
  - Rosu : puritate si dragalasenie.
  - Alb : feciorie , adolescenta femeii.

Porumbelul si pasarea dragostei

   Simboluri ale iubirii , fidelitatii si credintei.

-Pasarile dragostei” , mici pasari cu un penaj multicolor , sunt originare din Africa .Ele poarta acest nume datorita atasamentului dragastos fata de partenerul lor de cuplu , o astfel de pasarea neputand supravietui fara perechea ei.

  -In legendele slave , dupa moarte , sufletul se transforma intr-un porumbel care se inalta catre paradisul iubirii.
  -In hinduism , porumbelul este o reprezentare a spiritului si a infinitei lui capacitati de a iubi.
  -In mitologia greco-romana , porumbelul era pasarea sacra a zeitei dragostei Aphrodite / Venus.
  -In vechile practici ebraice , porumbelul era sacrificat ca un dar de dragoste semnificand purificarea unei recente mame dupa nastere.
  -In occident , porumbelul si turturica sunt simboluri ale dragostei intalnite frecvent in traditiile de nunta.

Lebada

   Simbolizeaza dragostea , gratia , puritatea , frumusetea si sinceritatea.
  -Ca atribut al zeitei dragostei , Aphrodite , lebada era asociata cu castitatea.

  -Lebada era si o reprezentare a lui Zeus , intrucat mai marele zeilor se transformase intr-o astfel de pasare pentru a o seduce pe Leda , frumoasa regina muritoare.Se spunea ca lebedele au umplut cerul in ziua in care Leda l-a nascut pe fiul lui Zeus , Apollo .
  - In cultura celtica , lebada este asociata cu muzica , iubirea , puritatea si sufletul.Conform miturilor celtice , lebedele aveau puterea de a-si schimba forma , transformandu-se in oameni , si erau stapane peste elementele primare ale apei , pamantului si aerului.
  -Lebada este unul din simbolurile Maicii Domnului , fiind o reprezentare a puritatii si iubirii ei.

Frunza de artar

In Japonia si China , frunza de artar este un simbol al indragostitilor.
In America de Nord exista obiceiul de a pune frunze de artar la picioarele patului , ca o protectie fata de demoni si un mijloc de stimulare a dorintei sexuale si somnului profund.Pe acelasi continent , obiceiul berzelor de a-si face cuibul cu frunze de artar , a transformat aceste frunze intr-un simbol al iubirii ivite odata cu aparitia unui nou nascut intr-o familie.

Cochilia

Datorita invelisului sau dur , cochilia de melc sau de scoica ( adapostind o perla) a devenit o expresie a protectiei vietii si al aspectului protector in care se poate intruchipa iubirea.In mitologia romana , Venus , zeita dragostei , s-a nascut din spuma marii si a fost purtata la tarm de o uriasa , magica scoica.
Zeita hindusa Lakshmi a fost creata , conform legendei , din nisipul si perlele din interiorul unei scoici.Tot in hinduism , cochilia de scoica are o semnificatie simbolica , intrucat ea ii trezeste la viata pe cei credinciosi si ii cheama catre paradis pe oamenii a caror inima este incarcata cu iubire.

Nodurile dragostei

Simbol al iubirii eterne , nodul iubirii este o populara emblema celtica , de provenienta irlandeza.
Tinerele femei din lumea musulmana obisnuia sa isi transmita mesajele de dragoste prin intermediul unor astfel de noduri , impletite in covoare.

Rata mandarin,
un simbol feng-shui al dragostei

Cunoscute in limba chineza sub numele de yuan- yuang , ratele mandarin sunt pasari extrem de atasate de perechea lor , fapt ce le-a transformat in intruchipari ale fidelitatii si al puternicului atasament al iubirii.Potrivit unei legende chinezesti , daca o astfel de rata este separata de partenerul ei , ea nu poate supravietui singuratatii si dorului .

Ratele madarin sunt utilizate in terapii feng shui destinate oamenilor singuri , care au dificultati in gasirea unui partener pe masura.De asemeni , ele aduc noroc cuplurilor casatorite si ajuta la rezolvarea problemelor familiale.
Ca remediu feng shui eficace , ratele mandarin trebuie sa fie amplasate in partea de sud-vest a locuintei sau dormitorului.In acest fel , ele pot transmite o intensa energie afectiva , care mareste afectiunea si atractivitatea fata de partenerul de cuplu.

Mainile

Mana unei femei reprezinta un simbol plastic care intruchipeaza feminitatea.Ea poate fi infrumutesata printr-o bratara sau prin inele.In Marea Britanie , imaginea a doua maini stranse reprezinta legatura apropiata dintre regina Victoria si printul Albert , simbolizand prietenia dintre Germania si Anglia.
“A cere mana” este o expresie consacrata a infriguratei chestionari : “Vrei sa te mariti cu mine?”

Inchei prin a-l cita pe Dante: Iubirea este singura pasiune care se plateste cu o moneda fabricata de ea insasi … jertfa. Iubirea este singurul lucru care poate fi impartit la infinit fara sa se micsoreze. Iubirea misca soarele si celelalte stele.

Duminica Floriilor,duminica asa numita duminica gratierilor

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 12:18:00 +0000

Cel dintai dintre praznicele imparatesti cu data schimbatoare, din cursul anului bisericesc, este Duminica Stalparilor sau a Floriilor, numita in popor si Floriile, cu o saptamana inainte de Pasti (duminica ultima din postul Pastilor). Este sarbatoarea care ne aminteste intrarea triumfala a Domnului in Ierusalim, inainte de Patimi (Matei 12, 1-10; Ioan 12, 12-18).

Primele mentiuni despre aceasta sarbatoare de origine ierusalimica provin din secolul al IV-lea. Nu o gasim intre sarbatorile enumerate in Constitutiile Apostolice, dar pomenesc despre ea: Sf. Epifanie, caruia i se atribuie doua predici la aceasta sarbatoare, pelerina apuseana Egeria (Silvia sau Etheria), care in insemnarile ei de calatorie, descrie chipul cum se sarbatorea aceasta duminica la Ierusalim, spre sfarsitul secolului al IV-lea cand ea viziteaza Tara Sfanta, precum si mari predicatori din secolul al IV-lea de la care au ramas predici tinute in cinstea acestei zile, ca: Sf. Ioan Gura de Aur, Sf. Ambrozie si Sf. Chiril al Alexandriei. In Apus, mentiuni mai tarzii despre existenta acestei sarbatori se gasesc la Sf. Isidor de Sevilla.

In vechime, Duminica Floriilor era inceputul saptamanii numite pe atunci a Pastilor. De aceea este numita si Duminica aspirantilor sau a candidatilor la botez, pentru ca in aceasta zi catehumenii mergeau cu totii, cu mare solemnitate, la episcop, spre a-i cere sa fie admisi la botez, iar acesta le dadea sa invete Simbolul credinteiSe mai numea si Duminica gratierilor, pentru ca in cinstea ei imparatii acordau gratieri.

Dupa un obicei stravechi, mentionat chiar in secolul al IV-lea de catre pelerina Egeria si generalizat in toata Biserica crestina, se aduc in biserici ramuri de salcie care sunt binecuvantate si impartite credinciosilor, in amintirea ramurilor de finic si de maslin cu care multimile au intampinat pe Domnul la intrarea Sa triumfala Ierusalim si pe care noi le purtam in maini ca semn al biruintei impotriva mortii, castigata de Domnul prin invierea lui Lazar, savarsita cu o zi mai inainte (Sambata Floriilor sau a lui Lazar) si apoi prin Invierea Sa insusi.

Atat in Bizant, cat si la curtile domnesti din Tarile Romanesti, sarbatoarea Floriilor se praznuia cu multa solemnitate. Luau parte imparatii cu demnitarii lor, carora li se imparteau faclii aprinse ca si la Pasti. In seara acestei duminici incep in biserici frumoasele slujbe ale deniilor din saptamana Sfintelor Patimi.

Obiceiuri in prag de florii

In Banat si Transilvania, in ajunul Floriilor, fetele mari aveau obiceiul de a pune oglinda, impreuna cu o camasa curata, sub un par altoit, trebuind neaparat ca, a doua zi de dimineata, la rasaritul soarelui sa le gaseasca acolo, oglinda fiind apoi intens folosita la farmecele de dragoste, sanatate
Femeile fac tot felul de bunatati la cuptor, si in special placinte, pe care le impart mai ales saracilor de pomana (Mosii de Florii), ca san u pateasca si ele cum a patit mama lui Lazar, care a murit de dor de placinte;
Sunt curatate si impodobite cu ramuri de salcam mormintele;
Se fac pomeni pentru odihna sufleteasca a celor morti.

Superstitii in jurul sarbatorii floriilor

In Duminica Floriilor, numita si a florilor, stalparilor sau a vlastarilor, s-ar fi umplut ciubarasul cu florile ce urmau a fi folosite la inflorirea oualor pentru Pasti.
Despre cel care se impartasea in Duminica Floriilor se spunea ca orice dorinta isi punea cand se apropie de preot, se implineste
Despre cei care indrazneau sa se spele pe cap se credea ca vor albi ca pomii; uneori era voie sa te speli doar folosind apa descantata.
Despre vremea din ziua de Florii se crede ca se va repeta in prima zi de Pasti,
Despre urzici se spune ca infloresc nemaifiind bune de mancat
Cine nu serbeaza ziua lui Lazar se umple de pistrui;
Vitele manaca cateva ramuri de salcie pentru a se inmulti si a fi sanatoase tot anul;
In pomii fructiferi sau butucii de vie sunt si ei la randul lor impodobiti pentru a da rod bogat si manos.
Acum se aerisesc hainele.

Aceasta sarbatoarea este si un prilej de petrecere pentru romani;

Obiceiuri pagane de florii

In vreme de furtuna sa se puna pe foc muguri din salciile de la Florii, pentru a imprastia norii si grindina;
Cu ramurile de salcie, apicultorii inconjoara in ziua de Florii stupii, iar taranii, convinsi de efectul miraculos al acestor muguri, ii ingropa sub brazda.
Denumirea populara a sarbatorii vine de la zeita romana a florilor, Flora;
Putem spune ca aceasta sarbatoare a Floriilor are o strabunica pagana.
In zilele noastre insa , Floriile simbolizeaza intrarea Mantuitorului in Ierusalim;

SARBATORI FERICITE ALATURI DE CEI DRAGI!!!
Cu stima,Alina!

Ce e iubirea???

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 22:43:00 +0000

In fiecare zi ,cu toti,ne confruntam cu aceeas problema:IUBIREA!Unele persoane recunosc ca iubesc,ca au nevoie sa fie iubite,ca se hranesc cu iubire....pe cealalta parte,unii considera...ca iubirea..nu exista!!!OARE E ASA???Oare cei ce iubesc sunt orbi???visez....spre ceve inexistent???Sau cei ce nu cred in iubire...SE INSEALA...poate ca iubesc ...dar nu vor sa recunoasca...poate ca le e frica ca daca recunosc ca iubesc si sunt iubiti...vor deveni mai slabi,cu capul in nori si cu sufletul pe Pamant....in palmele....ACELEI PERSOANE....care poate are...sau poate nu....grija de sufletul lor!!!

Dragostea este o fiinţă sălbatică. Când încercăm să o ţinem în frâu, ne distruge. Când încercăm să o închidem, ne înrobeşte. Când încercăm să o înţelegem, ne tulbură. Paulo Coelho

Iubirea este un fum făcut din arborii suspinelor. Purificată, e un foc în ochii celor ce se iubesc. Tulburată, este o mare hrănită cu lacrimile celor ce se îndrăgesc. Şi încă ce mai e? E nebunia cea mai înţeleaptă, fierea ce înăbuşă, dulceaţa ce ne mântuie.William Shakespeare

Iubirea este râul vieţii prin lume.Henry Ward Beecher

  Unii dintre cei mai renumiti scriitori din lume vad iubirea ca pe un sentiment...care odata ce te-a cuprins...te invaluie...te domina ...te inrobeste...dar te complecteaza,te face sa te simti implinit!
  DA...poate sa iubesti inseamna sa suferi....DA...poate sa iubesti inseamna, sa plangi,sa simti cum inima iti e invaluita intr-o esarfa ce niciodata nu e fost a ta....ce apartine altei persoane!Te intreb...CE ROST ARE VIATA DACA NU SUFERI,ce rost are daca din ochii tai nu curge o lacrima pentru EL/EA,ce rost are daca nu simti acel miros al eserfei ce te invaluie??
  Chiar daca azi suferi,si maine esti fericit,chiar daca azi simti cum fluturasi din stomag te domina,chiar daca azi te simti umil....dar maine te simti implinit,chiar daca suferinta acelei persoane in sufletul tau o simti de zeci de mii de ori mai dureroasa,CHIAR DACA ACEEA PERSOANA TE-A CALCAT IN PICIOARE,SA NU UITI NICODATA CA EXISTA O ALTA PERSOANA CARE O SA TE AJUTE SA TE SCUTURI.....
➳♥...PENTRU CA NE-AM NASCUT SPRE A IUBI SI A FII IUBITI!!! ➳♥

Un gand bun...

noreply@blogger.com (AlinaClaudia) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 20:47:00 +0000

Simti in fiecare zi...ca nimica nu te multumeste?Simti ca anii trec.....dar nu stii unde se duc?Iti doresti CEVA...care sa te complecteze dar nu stii ce?Consideri ca esti neindreptatita?Cauti pe ACEL CINEVA...care sa vorbeasca cu tine....DAR NU E NIMENI?SA NU CREZI ASTA NICIODATA....haide sa ne RELAXAM IMPREUNA...pt 5 minute....HAI SA FIM NOI INSINE!
Bine ai venit!!!SPER CA IMPREUNA...SA REUSIM....SA FACEM FIECARE ZI MAI SPECIALA...MAI IMPLINITA....HAIDE SA II DAM VIETII UN SENS!