The Fireplace (Hearth) – the Epitome of the Home
The family fireplace is the most sacred place in the home.
In Bulgarian culture the fireplace symbolizes home. Around it “evil spells” and magic have no power. This is due to both the fire and the iron objects (tools) around the fireplace. It is believed that they protect the occupants of the house from demons. The Masha looks like long iron tongs for moving coal. The Glavnyarnik (Headgear) is also made of metal, most often in the shape of a horse, and is used as a holder for the Masha (tongs).
Fiancés, who have come to ask a lady’s hand, first rake the coals in the fireplace to display the reason for their visit, and if they are invited to stay, they can discuss a future marriage. When the bride steps into her new home, she first walks to the fireplace and rakes it metaphorically to show that she is now part of the new family and she is the future housewife of the household.
In Bulgarian culture the fireplace symbolizes home. Around it “evil spells” and magic have no power. This is due to both the fire and the iron objects (tools) around the fireplace. It is believed that they protect the occupants of the house from demons. The Masha looks like long iron tongs for moving coal. The Glavnyarnik (Headgear) is also made of metal, most often in the shape of a horse, and is used as a holder for the Masha (tongs).
Fiancés, who have come to ask a lady’s hand, first rake the coals in the fireplace to display the reason for their visit, and if they are invited to stay, they can discuss a future marriage. When the bride steps into her new home, she first walks to the fireplace and rakes it metaphorically to show that she is now part of the new family and she is the future housewife of the household.
The story continues in hall № 14 „Music Instruments”- 2nd floor.
!!! To hear the story from the beginning, walk back to hall № 1, „Agriculture”, 1st floor and start all over. First Story
!!! To hear the story from the beginning, walk back to hall № 1, „Agriculture”, 1st floor and start all over. First Story
QR code
http://www.math.bas.bg/vt/REMPlovdiv/07TheHearth.php
http://www.math.bas.bg/vt/REMPlovdiv/07TheHearth.php
This site was developed by the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences by project “Digital Accessibility for People with Special Needs: Methodology, Conceptual Models and Innovative EcoSystems”, funded by the Scientifics Research Fund of the Republic of Bulgaria through Grant Number KP-06-N42/4, 08.12.2020
The sound files were made with the assistance of Radio Plovdiv.
