St. Basil's Night Central Dish (Old New Year's Eve): Semiotics and Evolution of the "Rich Kutia" In the structure of the St. Basil's Night feast (the eve of Old New Year's Day, January 13), the central place is occupied by a ritual dish known by various names: "rich" or "generous" kutia, "St. Basil's porridge," or "kolivo." This is not just a culinary dish, but a complex semantic and ritual object, the essence of the holiday's meanings, a link between agrarian past and modern practices. Its study allows us to trace the evolution of the holiday from a magical ritual to a cultural tradition. 1. Etymology and composition: ritual minimalism and symbolic abundance. The word "kutia" (Greek κουκκί – "bean," through Old Slavonic куть) indicates the ancient foundation – cooked grains. Initially, this could have been just wheat, barley, or emmer, sweetened with honey. In St. Basil's Night, kutia gained the status of "rich" or "generous" due to the addition of fast (non-fasting) components, symbolizing the end of the Christmas fast and the arrival of abundance: Grain (wheat, less often barley, rice): A symbol of resurrection, the eternal cycle of life, and fertility. Sprouted grain is a metaphor for the rebirth of the sun after the winter solstice. In the context of New Year's, it is a wish for "growth" of blessings in the coming year. Poppy seeds, nuts (usually walnuts): Symbols of wealth, multitude, and fertility. Poppy seeds also associated with abundance ("falls like poppy seeds"). Their crushed form intensified the symbolism of "multiplication." Honey or compote (infusion, compote of dried fruits): A symbol of sweetness, joy, grace, and "harmonious" life. Honey as a natural preservative – also a symbol of eternity and immortality. Fast additions ("zabelka"): Butter, cream, milk, less often – cheese or curd. A sign of prosperity and the end of the fast. In some regions, especially in Ukraine and Belarus, finely chopped lard ("spike") was added as an apogee of "wealth" and ... Читать далее