Why did the Cossacks wear forelocks and earrings. Cossack hairstyle: forelock, chuprina, haircut "under the pot". Photo, history of appearance, meaning Why settler

Communities of Zaporizhzhya and Don Cossacks in Rus' arose in the 15th century. And almost immediately they had their own distinctive features: a hairstyle - a forelock, a long mustache and an invariable pipe in their mouths.

We can say that the forelock, which was also called the sedentary, had a sacred meaning for the Cossacks. Not everyone was allowed to wear it, and the loss of a forelock meant a loss of status.

Faktrum invites the reader to find out what the forelock meant among the Cossacks and for what reasons the brave warriors wore it.

Why did the Cossacks wear a forelock on their heads?

Chub, or sedentary, is a male hairstyle with a shaved head and a long strand of hair left at the crown. Only those Cossacks who participated in battles and distinguished themselves by valor could wear it. Young people, who had just joined the Cossack community, could not wear a forelock on their heads. Youths were cut short, as a rule, “under the pot”. Over time, when the young Cossacks went through different stages of their training, their hair was shortened and shortened until a bald spot remained on their heads.

The forelock of the Zaporizhzhya Cossack was not just a hairstyle and a reminder of courage in battle. He was a sign that the Cossack did not forget about his faith and honors it. All Cossacks believed that after death they would surely burn in hell for the souls they had ruined. But at the same time, they believed that the Cossack forelock would help them get out of hell. There was a belief that the Lord himself could pull a Cossack who had fallen into hell by the forelock and save him from hellish torments.

The Cossack also needed a forelock in order to scare away evil spirits. The warriors wore a lock of hair, combed to the left side, so that it would drive away the unclean. It was believed that they sit on the left shoulder and push people to unrighteous deeds.

The loss of the forelock was a shame for the Cossack. Often, the ataman could deprive the Cossack of the settler for some kind of offense or crime. During the wars, the enemies deliberately cut off the forelocks of the captive Cossacks. It was believed that with the loss of the forelock, the Don Cossacks also lose their faith, starting to think that now they cannot be saved from hell.

Why did the Cossacks wear an earring in their ear

Earrings among the Cossacks were no less important than the sedentary. Most often, Cossack earrings looked like a crescent moon and were made of silver. The reason why the Cossacks wore an earring in their left or right ear lies in their position in the family. So, the Cossacks with an earring in their left ear were the only sons of their mother. And the earring in the right ear of the Cossack symbolized that he was the last man in his family.

There were cases that both Don and Zaporozhye Cossacks wore an earring in each ear. Such warriors were the only children in their family. Everyone else in the community treated them with special respect. In battles, they tried to protect and protect such Cossacks from dangers. This happened due to the fact that the Cossacks respected their parents and believed that the loss of their only child would be a terrible tragedy for them.

In some Cossack communities, only youths wore an earring in their ear, wanting to show that they were ready for a feat. Sometimes unmarried, orphans or younger sons walked with an earring - in a word, those who did not have to take care of their family or ancestors. These Cossacks were sent on the most dangerous missions.

There was another meaning of earrings among the Cossacks. It was believed that a silver earring could protect against various diseases, including venereal ones. In addition, if the Cossack detachment stopped near an unfamiliar reservoir, then everyone put an earring in their mug of water. They did this so that the silver would disinfect the water.

Wearing earrings also helped during training. Knowing in which ear his earring hangs, it was easier for the Cossack to carry out the commands “right” and “left”. It also made the job of the commander easier. He, seeing on which ear the subordinate had the earring, understood whether he was the only child or not and whether it was worth sending him to the rear in order to save him.

Some believe that the Cossacks adopted this hairstyle from the Cherkasy in the Caucasus and used it as a sign of belonging to the top of the Cossack society.

But at the same time, in Kievan Rus, according to some historians, there was a forelock and also testified to belonging to a noble family. In particular, the Byzantine description of the appearance of the greatest commander of Ancient Rus', Svyatoslav Igorevich (who lived, according to traditional history, in the 10th century), has been preserved. Here is a description of the meeting of Emperor Tzimiskes with Svyatoslav on the banks of the Danube, included in the "History of Leo the Deacon" from the words of an eyewitness: "... He (Svyatoslav) sailed on a Scythian boat ... was of medium height, with thick eyebrows and blue eyes, with a flat nose, with a shaved beard and a long hanging mustache. His head was completely naked, only on one side of it hung a lock of hair, meaning the nobility of the family ... in one ear he had a golden earring, adorned with a carbuncle and two pearls ... ".

Three unique features of the appearance of the Zaporizhzhya Cossacks are described - a hanging mustache, with a shaved beard, a sedentary forelock and one earring in the ear, which quite rightly hung from Svyatoslav, because. he was the only son of Olga and Igor and, according to the Cossack tradition, he should have (or could) wear such an earring.

At first, only the heroes of the heroes and chieftains could wear the same forelock as the prince had. Later, it became a Cossack fashion. After the abolition of Zaporizhzhya Sich, when the Cossacks were transferred to the Kuban, the forelock became a different shape, but it had to stick out from under the Kuban.

The word "forelock", according to some researchers, comes from the Persian "chob" - a bunch, brush, bunch. It is interesting that among the Persians the word "Cossack" was translated as "crest". Among the warlike Goths, a long forelock meant dedication to the god Odin (Gothic "hoh ool" - the son of heaven). It is believed that the Cossacks started a similar hairstyle mainly for force, “for free-flowing”. Well, that made sense too. The forelock was a kind of visiting card for the Cossack, an external sign (often the only one!), by which the Sich members recognized each other. A Cossack away from his native places (not to mention the scouts who penetrated the camp of the enemy) could dress up in any clothes. However, the forelock under the headdress, even if it was a Muslim turban, always remained in place, was a kind of password when meeting with another Cossack.

As a rule, the forelock was worn behind the left ear. Honoring the traditions of "grassroots partnership" and observing etiquette in everything, the old people explained that "the chupryna, as a sign of a daring brave Cossack, should be turned to the left side." In this case, the forelock was a kind of sign of "merits and distinctions", like a medal, order or sword. Often, according to the shape of the forelock, its length and grooming, they judged the rank of a Cossack, his senior rank, combat training and experience. A forelock fluttering in the wind often frightened the enemy more than a sharp saber.

It is worth remembering that the nobility of Egypt shaved their heads from their sons, leaving a crest. It was a sign of a noble family.

In the minds of many images of the Cossacks are inextricably linked with the images of brave and freedom-loving male warriors with a stern belligerent look, stately bearing, long mustaches and forelocks, with earrings in their ears, in hats and wide trousers, which is indeed quite historically reliable. And the very history of the Cossacks, reflected in the work of classical and contemporary artists, is very unique and interesting.

A bit from the history of the Cossacks

As a result of the "Great Famine" in 1601-1603, many landowners who were unable to feed their serfs drove them out of their possessions. People, fleeing from starvation, fled in masses to free "Ukraine" and joined the Cossack communities.

his subjects, who live along the banks of the Don, lie in wait and rob his ambassadors, returning home after completing diplomatic missions and carrying with them the gifts due in such cases.

https://static.kulturologia.ru/files/u21941/00-kazaki-017.jpg" alt=" Bogdan Khmelnitsky. Author: Nikolay Ivanovich Ivasyuk." title="Bohdan Khmelnytsky.

Throughout the history of the Cossacks, there have been many great Cossacks - pioneers and discoverers, peacemakers, true patriots of the fatherland. There were also simple Cossacks - defenders of their native land, who served as an "outpost" on the borders of their homeland. There were others - the Cossacks of troubled times, which they try not to remember.

"Give me 20 thousand Cossacks and I will conquer the whole world"- Napoleon's eloquent phrase about the Cossacks testifies to their glory, courage, prowess and courage.

Why did the Cossack need a forelock-seed and an earring in his ear

By the way, young Cossacks were called "djurs" and usually sheared "under the pot." The hairstyle was "shortened" gradually in the process of learning military skills and the accumulation of combat experience. The most shameful punishment for a Cossack was shaving off his forelock.

https://static.kulturologia.ru/files/u21941/00-kazaki-018.jpg" alt=" Zaporozhian Cossack. Author: Sergey Georgievich Yakutovich." title="Zaporozhye Cossack.

Earrings made of silver in the form of a crescent, the Cossacks also wore not for fun. They carried information about the social status of a warrior. The earring in the left ear meant that the Cossack was the only son in the family. And when the earring was worn in the right one, it meant that its owner was the last man in his family. But there were cases when earrings were worn in both ears.

https://static.kulturologia.ru/files/u21941/00-kazaki-014.jpg" alt="The Cossacks write a letter to the Turkish Sultan. (1891). Author: Ilya Repin." title="The Cossacks write a letter to the Turkish Sultan. (1891).

It is also impossible not to recall the famous paintings by Vasily Surikov, a hereditary Siberian Cossack. This is the famous painting "The Conquest of Siberia by Yermak" (1895) and "Stepan Razin" (1906).

https://static.kulturologia.ru/files/u21941/00-kazaki-015.jpg" alt="Stepan Razin. (1906). Author: Vasily Ivanovich Surikov." title="Stepan Razin. (1906).

Zaporizhzhya Cossacks in the painting of Sergei Vasilkovsky (1854-1917)

Sergei Ivanovich Vasilkovsky is a Ukrainian painter originally from the Kharkov province. His works dedicated to the Zaporizhian Cossacks entered the historical annals of the Zaporozhian Sich as one of the brightest episodes in the history of Ukraine.

And this interest is not accidental: the Cossacks played a leading role in the development of statehood, formed the richest traditions based on deep faith in the patronage of the Virgin, and developed their own code of honor.

https://static.kulturologia.ru/files/u21941/00-kazaki-012.jpg" alt=""Watchman of Zaporizhia liberties". (1890). Author: Sergey Vasilkovsky." title=""Watchman of Zaporizhia liberties". (1890).

https://static.kulturologia.ru/files/u21941/00-kazaki-011.jpg" alt=""Transdanubian Cossack". (1900). Author: Sergey Vasilkovsky." title=""Transdanubian Cossack". (1900).

battle of Borodino". Немалая доля его работ посвящена русским и украинским казакам.!}

https://static.kulturologia.ru/files/u21941/xudozhnik_Franc_Rubo_05-e1485407692334.jpg" alt=""Cossacks".

https://static.kulturologia.ru/files/u21941/00-kazaki-004.jpg" alt=""Prisoner".

Why did the Zaporozhye Cossacks wear long forelocks?

Chkonia Svetlana. Cossack

The forelock of the Zaporizhzhya Cossack, or as the Cossacks themselves said, the settled man is not just an element of the Cossack image, it is also a whole legend.
Firstly, it should be noted that only mature Cossacks, who had already managed, as they say, to sniff gunpowder, had the right to a long forelock. This hairstyle was forbidden for young warriors.

This does not speak of any hierarchy, but shows that experienced Cossacks during the battles they fought managed to “earn” so many sins before God that they could not be prayed for by any prayers. Any Zaporizhzhya Cossack was sure that numerous sins after death promised him only one thing - "to burn in hell."

In this regard, it was necessary to come up with some solution that could mitigate the fate of the Cossacks. The exit has been found. It consisted in the following: the Cossack knowingly grew a sedentary (forelock) for himself - it is for him that the merciful Lord will nevertheless pull the Cossack out of hellfire.

At the same time, an experienced Cossack had to wear a sedentary man so that he fell to the left side. This was necessary so that the hair looked like an evil spirit, which, allegedly, sat on the Cossack's left shoulder and tried to push him to godlessness.

Oseledets was a hallmark of a real Cossack, who did not forget about faith and realized all his unrighteous deeds. That is why, the Turks often cut off long forelocks from the captured Cossacks, so that their faith was shaken, and salvation from hell could not be expected.

Chub (Aidar, Oseledets, Chuprun, Chuprina, Khokhol) - a strand of hair, a tuft. This word can refer to both a part of the hair and a hairstyle that consists entirely of it (such as the aidar among the Scythians, Sarmatians, Kazakhs, or the sedentary among the Cossacks).
http://yarodom.livejournal.com/1039810.html

Why was it worn on the left side?

Among the warlike Goths, a long forelock meant dedication to the god Odin (Gothic "khokh ool" - the son of heaven). It is believed that the Cossacks started a similar hairstyle mainly for force, “for free-flowing”. Well, that made sense too. The forelock was a kind of visiting card for the Cossack, an external sign (often the only one!), by which the Sich members recognized each other. A Cossack away from his native places (not to mention the scouts who penetrated the camp of the enemy) could dress up in any clothes. However, the forelock under the headdress, even if it was a Muslim turban, always remained in place, was a kind of password when meeting with another Cossack.

As a rule, the forelock was worn behind the left ear. Honoring the traditions of “grassroots comradeship” and observing etiquette in everything, the old people explained that “the chupryna, as a sign of a daring brave Cossack, should be turned to the left side.” In this case, the forelock was a kind of sign of "merits and distinctions", like a medal, order or sword. Often, according to the shape of the forelock, its length and grooming, they judged the rank of a Cossack, his senior rank, combat training and experience. A forelock fluttering in the wind often frightened the enemy more than a sharp saber.

Cossack hairstyle - forelock, chuprina or haircut"под макитру" (горшок) — это не просто элемент образа. За каждым способом стрижки стоит целая легенда. В этой статье мы поговорим об истории появления своеобразных причесок и значении их в жизни казачества.!}

Chub Taras Bulba

To begin with, let's remember what was the appearance of one of the most famous Cossacks in literature. Taras is an elderly man, his head is shaved, but there is a forelock (settler). He shaves this strand of hair completely, but he has grown a long hanging mustache. His face is covered with scars that he received in battle. As you can see, one of the brightest representatives of the Cossacks wears a traditional hairstyle - a forelock.

Varieties of hairstyles

Hair for the Cossacks was of particular importance. No one instructed the Cossacks to wear a forelock, but for them it was a sign of belonging to one community, clan, village. Warriors also always wore a hat, slamming it on one side.

Let's take a look at exactly what hairstyles the Cossacks wore and what is their difference. Among the well-known are the following:

• crest;
• forelock "settler";
• haircut "under the chuprin";
• "bracket", hairstyle "under the pot" or "under the watermelon peel".

crest

The custom of wearing such a hairstyle was mainly among the Circassian Cossacks. Haircut "crest" was done to boys who underwent the rite of initiation. After the child was initiated into the warriors, the edges of his head were shaved smoothly, and in the middle they left what is now commonly called the “Iroquois”. Such a tuft became the basis for the slightly derisive nickname of the Slavic warriors. It is interesting that the Persians who lived in the neighborhood had the word "Cossack" meaning "tuft".

Oseledets

Chub "settler", or chuprina had the right to wear only warriors who "smelled gunpowder". This is not just a hairstyle, but an ancient rite. Among the Normans, for example, it was an initiation into the service of a god with one eye - Odin. It was believed that the one-eyed lord himself and his entire army wore such a hairstyle. There is documentary evidence that the pagan warriors of Prince Svyatoslav of Kyiv wore the same hairstyles.

What did a Cossack with a forelock look like? It is known that the artist Repin, depicting the Cossacks on the canvas of the same name in 1880, was clearly mistaken. If you look at the picture, you can see that the Cossacks have some very thin, similar to Chinese pigtails. In addition, they were placed behind the right ear, which was not permissible. True, there are Cossacks in the picture with haircuts "under the pot".

What did the settler look like?

The entire surface of the head was completely shaved, and a tuft of hair was left in front of the forehead itself. It had a width that was equal to three fingers, and a length of at least three or four fingers or more. Some Cossacks grew quite long forelocks. During the battle, they fluttered in the wind and frightened the enemy.

Hairstyles "crest" and forelock-settlers were customary to wear in the north of Ukraine, for example in the Cherkasy region.

What significance did the Cossacks attach to the forelock?

Only experienced warriors had the right to wear such a Cossack hairstyle as a forelock. It was believed that the more a man went through the war, the longer a strand of hair could be. Such Cossacks were called "chuprinders". Young warriors cut their forelocks.

There was a custom to lay the Cossack forelock exclusively behind the left ear. It was believed that an angel sits on the right side of the warrior, and a devil on the left. So the Cossacks brushed him away with their long strands of hair.

The warriors who honored the Cossack traditions, or, as they were then called, the traditions of "grassroots comradeship", considered the forelock a sign of distinction, the same as a sword, a medal, an order.

Some historians believe that the Cossack forelock in Kievan Rus was a sign of belonging to a noble family. A description of the son of Princess Olga, Svyatoslav Igorevich, has survived to this day, which said that the great commander had a bald head, and only a lock of hair remained on one side. The prince also had a long hanging mustache and one large earring in his ear. All three features related to the appearance of the Zaporizhzhya Cossacks.

What does the word "chub" mean? There is a version that it comes from the Persian word "chob". It means bunch or bundle. For a Cossack, such a hairstyle was a calling card or a password. Wherever the brave warriors went, they could always recognize their own by their traditional hairstyle.

In addition, the Cossacks believed that there was an energy force in the hair, which means that cutting it completely would lose protection. There is also a popular belief among the people that a Cossack needs a forelock so that after he falls on the battlefield, an angel can pick him up and take him to heaven.

It was also called "redemptive". There was another legend that talked about why the Cossacks had such a hairstyle. The forelock is a lock of hair, for which the Lord had to get a Cossack from the hellish cauldron, since a person who kills people, even if they are enemies, cannot be clean before heaven.

Haircut "under the forelock" or "chuprin"

This hairstyle arose after the Tatars defeated Rus', and most of the Russian princely lands became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Later it turned into the Commonwealth, which means "United Republic" in translation.

Hairstyle "under the chuprin" was created very simply. The head of hair was shaved over the forehead, at the temples and at the back of the head. A piece of hair the size of the palm of an adult male was left at the crown. They were combed, evenly distributed over the entire head, and sheared in a circle. It seemed that the head was completely covered with hair, but with a gust of wind, the skull of a warrior was exposed. This made his appearance more warlike and wild. This haircut was worn for the most part:

• free peasants;
• landlords;
• city ​​dwellers.

There was also a variation of this haircut, which had the name "under the forelock in Polish." The difference was that here a strand of hair was left higher. Mostly pans wore their hair, but, apparently, they cut their serfs in the same way. This is where the saying came from that when the lords fight, the forelocks crack at the serfs.

Nevertheless, "under the forelock" was most often sheared to know. This "Cossack hairstyle" was worn by princes who belonged to the Lithuanian, Polish and Russian families.

Haircut "under the chuprin" was also relevant in Moldova in 1595-1606 and later. At that time, the ruler Jeremiah Mohyla ruled there. He was the uncle of Peter Mogila. He himself preferred such a haircut, and his children, Alexander and Konstantin, were depicted with the same hairstyles in the paintings. In the old days, Moldova was called the Shipot land and was part of Kievan Rus. The heads of state were called rulers and all were of Russian origin. Ivan Pidkova - the legendary Cossack hetman - were from the kind of Moldavian rulers. The Turks, who, as you know, raised Janissaries from Christian boys, also cut their hair "under the chuprin".

Haircut "under the makitra"

She also had the name "under the pot", "under the watermelon peel". It was very easy to do it. Some kind of rounded container or the same watermelon peel was put on the head. All the hair that peeked out from under her was cut off. This hairstyle was worn mostly by the Cossacks of the middle Don and Yaik. The image of the blacksmith Vakula is a vivid example of a representative of the Cossacks with a haircut "under the pot".

The struggle of the kings with the hairstyles of the Cossacks

Russian rulers were annoyed by the hairstyles of the Cossacks. Peter 1 issued a decree to shave off mustaches and forelocks. This could only be paid off with a large sum.

Catherine 2, who did not really like the Cossacks, called forelocks "herrings". In Ukrainian it sounds like "settled". Starched huge wigs with curls were in fashion at that time, and the Cossacks looked very strange against this background.

The value of hair for the Cossacks

The hair that remains after a haircut carries information about a person, so with their help you can harm the owner. The Cossacks believed in it. After a haircut, they buried them in the ground, because part of the hair could get to the enemy, who could damage the owner.

The Cossack custom has survived to this day to cut the boy's hair for the first time when he is one year old. The process involves the godmother, who cuts the baby's hair, and other relatives. The mother does not participate in the procedure.

Hair customs of the Cossacks

When the soldiers buried a friend who had been treacherously killed, they pulled out a piece of hair from a forelock and threw it into the grave. This meant that they would definitely find the killer and take revenge.

Gogol also mentioned the forelock of Taras Bulba and the curse. The old father tore a tuft of hair out of his head and cursed the day when he gave birth to God's traitor.

But the Cossacks knew that the Lord forbids thinking about revenge, and therefore they understood that they were dooming themselves. If the warrior decided to take revenge, he knew that now he would not go to heaven, and that he would not have peace in the next world, nor in this. Therefore, probably, Gogol's Taras Bulba died.

Traditions related to appearance and clothing

The Cossacks had a special relationship with hats. To lose her was to lose her head. Icons were sewn into it, and important documents were placed behind the lapel. Knocking off a hat from the head, as well as removing a scarf from a woman, is a blood offense for which they avenged.

The Cossacks wore several types of hats: or a cap. Awards were sewn on the first.

When the Cossacks gathered in a circle (for advice), they voted with hats. The hat was also thrown into the yard of the girl, to whom they were going to send matchmakers. They called them "buffoons". The girl had to take a hat and put it on the table in front of her father. If she put it upside down, then this meant that she agreed to marriage, and if up, then no.

If a Cossack died in the war, his hat or cap was brought into the house and placed on the shrine. If a warrior decided to marry a widow with children, then he would come to the river and throw the hat of the deceased into it with an oath to protect and love his wife and protect the children.

According to the charter, the Cossack was obliged to carefully monitor his appearance. This should have become a firm habit, since in war, non-compliance with hygiene standards could lead to infection and death.

A senior in rank could stop a Cossack right on the street and ask him to show how clean the fighter’s legs or underwear were. This was also done in order to prevent diseases that spread very quickly in the field and could cause the death of an entire regiment.