Indian summer differs from year to year, both in the start date and in the duration of the period of warm and dry weather. According to weather forecasters in Europe, in 2018 Indian summer will begin on September 14 and last 2 weeks until September 27. In Siberia and Far East Warm, dry weather will set in at the end of September and last until October 14.
The head of the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia, Roman Vilfand, said that residents of the Moscow region will most likely experience an “Indian summer” in September. Interfax reports this. “There is clearly no direct connection between the very hot fourth or fifth five days of August and the period warm weather in September.
But according to ensemble forecasts, we shouldn’t say goodbye to summer just yet. And next month there may be bursts of heat, which we associate with the so-called “ Indian summer", said Vilfand. According to him, all the conditions for an “Indian summer” are in place in the capital region, on the basis of which we can say that “it will happen.” However, name exact dates Forecasters are not ready yet.
“The exact forecast will be several days in advance, then we will be able to name specific dates. We will announce them with pleasure,” said the head of the Hydrometeorological Center.
History of the Indian Summer holiday
Why is Indian summer so called: the very first mentions were associated with the time when elderly women faced cold weather in last time this year they could bask in the sun. It was then that all work in the field ended, and the village peasant women took up other tasks: they soaked, ruffled and weaved flax.
Why is Indian summer so called: in the old days, cucumbers were often pickled during this period, and old conflicts were also settled and peace was made. This period of time was considered a rural holiday. Indian summer, why was it called that: on these days, women often held gatherings, sang, spun, and when the cold came, they began to do needlework and tinker with canvases. Often the name of this period of time was associated with a popular expression: “when almost everything is lost, only a woman can warm it up greatly.”
When Indian summer arrives, at this time all of nature is preparing for the coming winter. The process of destruction of green chlorophyll occurs in the leaves, and orange and yellow, red and purple colors– carotene, xanthophyll and anthocyanin. It is these changes that influence wilting and are the cause autumn leaves fall. They contribute to the release of a large amount of heat.
With one leaf or several blades of grass, this effect would not have occurred. It is millions of tons of vegetation that cause a significant increase in temperature - by several degrees at once. This is the reason for such a sudden warming after the onset of cooling. Why does Indian summer happen in different time? It always depends on the weather last summer and on the condition of the bushes, grasses and trees.
Indian Summer on September 14, 2018 has its own traditions and signs
Having dealt with the summer harvest, a century ago in the villages, seeing off the returning summer, they welcomed autumn. Indian holiday Indian summer, which begins on September 14 and lasts until September 27, was known among the villagers as a “Woman’s holiday.”
Women, having completed the summer harvest, began a lighter economic activity. Everywhere they began to wet, crumple, ruffle, lay out flax to dry, and weave. Single girls noted: if the thread lies evenly, the husband will be flexible, if unevenly, the husband will be unfriendly.
Mothers, meanwhile, were thinking about brides for their sons. In the evenings they baked pies and set tables to which the girls were invited. At such girlish feasts, the guys looked for their future wives.
Indian summer opened the time for preparing vegetables and fruits for the winter. On his first day, as a rule, housewives pickled cucumbers. The men helped dig up the potatoes, while the female half of the family sorted them.
For older women, Indian summer was considered the last opportunity to bask in the hot sun, now until next spring. At the same time, they called healers to them in order to improve their health before the approaching cold weather.
Indian summer was also associated with a woman’s age, when her beauty blossoms in full force before the upcoming, like autumn withering. A flying cobweb, silvering in sun rays Indian summer, compared with the first gray hair a relatively young woman. In the old days they believed that women could influence the weather. On this basis, they believed that the return of summer in the middle of autumn was the effect of their spell.
When does it come - Indian summer?... My mother-in-law told me that Indian summer begins on September 14!!! Why then is the weather not summer? or to
“Indian summer” is a period of warm and dry weather in September - early October. Associated with a stable anticyclone over this territory. “Indian summer” comes after a significant cold snap, and may be accompanied by secondary flowering of some plants that usually bloom only once a year.
According to the Brockhaus and Efron dictionary, “Indian summer” is a dry, clear autumn in late August and early September, when cobwebs (side-walking spiders) fly in the air.
From a meteorological point of view, “Indian summer” is a period of stable anticyclonic weather observed at the beginning of autumn, when the nighttime cooling of the soil and air is not yet too strong, and the daytime heating, although significant, does not reach the limit that would be perceived as heat.
"Indian summer" is called "Indian" among eastern and Western Slavs, as well as in German-speaking countries (Altweibersommer). In Bulgaria and Serbia it is called “gypsy summer”, in Holland “after summer” (Nazomer), in North America this period of autumn is called “Indian summer”, in Italy - “summer of St. Martin”, in France this time of year was traditionally called “summer of St. Denis”, but in recent decades, due to the wide popularity of the song of the same name by Joe Dassin, the literal translation is more often used North American name - Été indien.
The duration of the fine days of “Indian summer” varies, as does the time of its beginning. Usually this is one to two weeks (two to three natural synoptic periods), falling in mid-September until early October. IN Central Russia the beginning of “Indian summer” is September 14. In Europe and North America, this period begins later, only at the end of September or in the 1st half of October. In the south of the Far East, Indian summer begins in early October. In the south of Siberia sudden warming often occurs in late September - early October. In the European part of Russia, as well as in Belarus and northern Ukraine, warming often occurs in mid-October (for 3-7 days). This period is often mistakenly called Indian summer.
According to Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary, “Indian summer” (Marfino’s summer) begins on Semyon-day, or the day of Simeon the summer guide (September 14), and ends on Asposov’s day (September 21); or on the day of Exaltation (September 28). Here, at Dahl’s, there is a young “Indian summer”, which takes place from August 28 (the Feast of the Assumption) to September 11.
According to the Big Soviet Encyclopedia, the original meaning of the phrase “Indian summer” is “the time when old women can still bask in the autumn sun.” The expression is also associated with that period in the life of peasants when field work ended and women began to do household chores: they soaked flax, ruffled it, and weaved it. In the old days, during the days of the young “Indian summer,” they began to pickle cucumbers and followed the custom of making peace and resolving all conflicts with the beginning of the young “Indian summer.” In Rus', these days were celebrated as rural holidays. In the evenings they spun, sang, and had gatherings. After the “Indian summer”, women tinkered with canvases, took up spindles, and handicrafts.
According to another version, the combinations “Indian summer”, “Indian days”, “Indian cold” in the old days had a meaning based on superstition: women have the power to return the seasons and generally influence the weather.
People say that “only a woman can warm you up like that when almost everything is lost.”
Everyone knows that Indian summer is a short-term return of warmth and dry weather after the autumn cold and rain. Since ancient times, the beginning of Indian summer has been tied to folk signs and holidays church calendar. It was believed that it began on the day of Simeon the Flyer (September 14) and ended on the Day of Aspos (September 21) or on the Feast of the Exaltation (September 28). But the climate changed significantly. And for centuries, and for last decades.Everything is mixed up. And now, any warming in autumn is often called Indian summer. Even meteorologists. Just read their weather forecasts. During the fall they experience several " Indian years" But this autumn return of warmth has its own bright sign and a specific reason.
And it lies in the fact that nature begins to prepare for winter. In the leaves, bright green chlorophyll is destroyed, and yellow and orange substances xanthophyll and carotene, red and purple anthocyanin appear. These changes in the leaves cause their wilting and subsequent leaf fall. Their chemistry and biology are complex, and most importantly, these processes occur with the release of heat.
One leaf or blade of grass will not change the weather, but fading millions of tons of them cause the temperature in a given area to rise by as much as several degrees. This is the reason for the warming in mid-autumn. And it occurs at different times in September or early October, depending on the weather in the previous summer and the condition of the trees, bushes and grass. But always simultaneously with fading.
Specific weather conditions, northern or southerly winds during the period of leaf wilting they can shorten or lengthen the period of Indian summer. But the very release of a large amount of heat, which rises, disperses the clouds and increases Atmosphere pressure. That is, it is not a stable anticyclone, as meteorologists believe, that brings Indian summer, but Golden autumn causes this anticyclone.
Therefore, autumn warming, when the leaves are still green or when they have already fallen, cannot be considered Indian summer. And it becomes clear why Indian summer occurs precisely in the middle latitudes with their pronounced change of seasons and precisely in the fall under different names V different countries Oh.
There are many versions why this autumn period called woman's. An analogy can be drawn that the beginning of female withering, like golden autumn, is very beautiful and warm. It’s not for nothing that there are expressions: “A woman’s age is forty years” and “At forty-five - a woman’s berry again.” Although over time, as in nature, these deadlines shift.
So, Indian summer is tied precisely to the beginning of the autumn withering of nature, the main sign of which is the change in the color of the leaves. It is unlikely that Vladimir Vysotsky knew all this biology and chemistry, but he expressed the beginning of Indian summer very accurately:
Maples painted the city
Some kind of witchcraft color,
This means very soon
Indian summer, Indian summer.
This means very soon
Indian summer, Indian summer.
When the golden autumn is already noisy outside the windows, but there is still hope for the last warm days, it is worth remembering what our grandmothers said. They believed that every year, after bright leaves began to fall from the trees, there would definitely come short period warming. Since ancient times, such a time has been called Indian summer - this is when the temperature rises above twenty degrees, a thin cobweb is carried in the air by the wind, and the sun shines in the clear sky, reminiscent of the just past summer. Let's figure out what kind of time it is, why it bears this particular name and where the name came from.
The essence of the phenomenon of Indian summer: the maples painted the city with some kind of witchcraft color
A short period when the temperature drops short term recedes, and the summer warmth seems to return to say goodbye and remind, usually arriving at the end of September or beginning of October. At this time, not only people rejoice at the brief return of warmth, but nature itself seems to rejoice, and some plants even open their buds. Meteorologists consider this phenomenon a common process, and many romantic people consider it a magical time when dreams and hopes can come true.
U different nations There are many traditions, legends and omens associated with the Indian summer period. The Slavs believed that if on the first day of the period it's raining, then he will go to the last one. But this meant that the autumn would be warm and dry, and a rich harvest of mushrooms could be harvested in the forest.
origin of name
There is no clear opinion about why Indian summer is called that way. But there are several quite interesting theories, legends and traditions, which would not hurt to study in more detail. Truth and fiction, the reality of historical explanations and the territory of myths and legends here oscillate on a fine line, almost indistinguishable and unsteady. First of all, the Slavs believed that even after the end of summer, the gods always give older women the opportunity to warm themselves under the last rays of the September sun. That’s why the period was called that way and there’s nothing mystical about it.
Another legend is also as close as possible to village life. At the end of September, when all the work in the fields, gardens and vegetable gardens is completed, it is time for women (women) to spend time with their family, children, go for a walk, pick mushrooms or berries, go to the forest or to the river . Followers astronomical theory It is believed that the name came from the Pleiades constellation, which the Slavs simply called Baba. It becomes visible in the night sky just in the second half of September.
About cobwebs and spiders
In some regions of Russia, almost no one knows what Indian summer is, because it has a completely different name. For example, there is the name Maryina, or Marfina yarn, Spider Web Summer. The fact is that at this time the leaves fall from the trees, and the “canvas” woven by tiny spiders becomes visible. On branches, fences, dried stems - everywhere there are these thin silvery threads, on which early morning dew and raindrops shimmer beautifully under the rays of the autumn sun.
It is noteworthy that some species of spiders, sidewalkers, managed to use the Indian summer for their own purposes. They do not use nets to get food for themselves (they attack flies directly), but weave them for completely different purposes. Everyone has seen thin threads flying through the air - this is the work of travel spiders. They wrap their eggs in bags made of cobwebs, and then attach the structure to a significant elevation, for example, to a tree branch. With a strong impulse of faith, the web breaks off and carries the “tramp” along with his future offspring to a new place of “dislocation”.
Autumn warmth in other cultures
However, there is such a period not only in Rus'. As early as the eighteenth century, one can find in literature the name Indian Summer, which was widespread throughout North America. This meant that in recent days, when the weather had “settled down,” the indigenous people of the prairies were completing preparations for the cold: they were drying and drying meat, fruits, vegetables, and airing their skins. Bulgarians call this time Gypsy, and Serbs call it Michaelmas (after the church holiday).
The Germans also have beautiful legend that in ancient times, elderly ladies knew how to cast magic and temporarily regain their former youth and beauty, and the most fruitful time for such metamorphoses was autumn. That’s why the warming period was called Altweibersommer, which literally means “summer of old women.” However, even in some areas, no one believes in mysticism and witchcraft for a long time, and the names of this time are much simpler - Altweibersommer or Spinnweben. It means “Summer of the Weavers” or millet “Weave a web”. When all the work in the field was completed, the women had time to start weaving, sewing and needlework.
Duration of Indian summer
Since ancient times in Rus' this time came in two stages. Thanks to this, they received their own names. First period – young summer- came at the end of August, approximately the twenty-fifth or twenty-eighth, and ended on the tenth of September. Nowadays, it practically does not differ from the usual calendar, but global warming made the boundary between normal and young Indian summer completely indistinguishable.
There is a second, considered the main, Indian summer. It is usually called old. It starts around the tenth of September and ends last days month. It happens that the timing shifts slightly, warming occurs a little later - from the beginning of October to its middle. This is true, for example, for remote areas Siberia, Far East. The length of the period can vary significantly, depending on the country (its geographical location), as well as on the specific year. Basically we should talk about two or three weeks, but it happens that it ends earlier or even later.
If we talk about the etymology of the name itself, then explanatory dictionary V.I. Dalia Marfino (Maryino, Indian, Babino) summer begins exactly on the fourteenth of September. Then the Orthodox Slavs celebrate the commemoration of Simeon the Summer Guide (Semyonov Day). It ends by the twenty-first, when Oseniny (Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God) is celebrated.
The Azores anticyclone is the root cause of Indian summer: what science says
Many people think that in the first days of autumn, summer allows a person to enjoy the warmth and prepare for the thought of the coming winter. However, such thoughts bear little resemblance to a rational point of view, and all natural phenomena usually have simple and understandable explanations based solely on scientific data. There is a similar thing regarding why and when Indian summer comes.
Should know
There is such a thing as enough large area high blood pressure in the north Atlantic. In the scientific community, the “spot” is usually called the Azores anticyclone. In the United States there is another name - the Bermuda High. This area is colossal in size, and is located precisely in the horse latitudes (between 30-35 degrees north and south latitude), and the same influence on climatic conditions all over the world, including Russia.
The mechanism of action of the Azores anticyclone is quite simple and, if desired, even those who have not previously dealt with meteorology can figure it out. Each time, after the occurrence of certain conditions, a vortex air masses is moving significantly to the left, and the weather in many regions is becoming much more changeable and unstable. In September, huge layers that did not have time to cool warm air rush towards Europe and America, causing changes in temperature conditions. Therefore, Indian summer is possible only during a certain period, cyclically repeating in the annual cycle. At any other time, warming will no longer bear that name.
All the rest of the “work” remains with the leaves. If you think that this is a joke and they cannot influence the climate in any way, then you are mistaken. in autumn big number The plant sheds its leaves, but first the chlorophyll begins to decompose in it, causing it to change color from green to yellow, orange and red. In progress chemical reaction heat is released, which also affects the weather around.
Inspired by the golden state of nature
When Indian summer comes into its own, nature seems to bloom, but not in the same way as in spring, but in a completely different way. Everything around is transformed and painted in bright reddish-golden shades, so pleasing to the eye. Therefore, people of art, who subtly sense moods and see beauty in everything, could not help but pay attention to this blessed time.
Paintings pierced with gold threads
Many artists used Indian summer and golden autumn scenes to create their outstanding masterpieces.
- Nikita Fomin wrote a beautiful canvas, full of anticipation and a light pre-dawn haze, called “Autumn Flowers”.
- Czech painter, graphic artist and publicist Jozsa Uprka created the painting “Indian Summer”.
- Many paintings by the famous painter Isaac Levitan are devoted to the theme of golden autumn and Indian summer. They literally seem to be filled with light yellowish light and fresh, clean air.
- Boris Kustodiev included in his canvases not only nature itself, incomprehensible and beautiful, but also people and animals, with their special needs and moods.
This is just the tip of a huge iceberg of pictures about the time of year when the foliage takes on bright colors and the finest cobwebs fly through the air.
Song creativity and literary works
Not only artists see beauty in the world around them. Numerous composers and poets also dedicated their creations to Indian summer. The famous Russian lyricist and bard of the second half of the twentieth century, Vladimir Vysotsky, wrote a song of the same name based on poems by Igor Kokhanovsky.
There is also a famous hit from the nineties of the last century called “Indian Summer”, which contains the lines “You will deceive this evil autumn as always.” In the song of the famous director, actor, composer and director Alexander Nikolaevich Lobanovsky, it is sung: “We, oh, don’t like Indian summer - we are waiting for spring with you.”
It’s also hard not to remember the song “Snowfall” performed by the famous Nani Bregvadze based on the verses of Alla Rustaikis, where there are the words: “Snowfall, snowfall, if a woman asks, don’t rush Indian summer.”
The famous Russian poet Fyodor Mikhailovich Tyutchev wrote poems in honor of this amazing period. For him, “the whole day is as if it were crystal, and the evenings are radiant...”. Such feelings are quite accessible to everyone who loves the last warm days. Leonid Vasyukovich describes the period as follows: “Indian summer feeds us with dope, evoking fabulous dreams. We succumb to his deceptions, but this is no one’s fault.” The lines reveal slight regret about the past and hope for future happiness.
What to do on the last sunny days
Whatever this period is called, everyone should spend it usefully, strengthen their own cheerful mood in order to easily and simply survive the winter period, with short cold days and long nights. To do this, you can and should have a lot of fun, just as our ancestors did. Of course, the world around has changed, and working in the fields, which is crowned by Indian summer, is not a pleasure for everyone, but why not get a lot of positive emotions from the last warm and gentle rays of sunshine the old fashioned way.
- It makes sense to go to the field, to the river or take a walk in the nearest grove to warm up and enjoy the splendor and beauty of nature. It is during this period that you can see the finest cobwebs flying in the air with tiny side-walking spiders in them. This is how they move from place to place, expanding their habitat. The spectacle is truly very beautiful, especially at dawn or at the end of the day.
- On the fourteenth of September, when Indian summer begins, the feast of Simeon the Stylite is celebrated. For the celebration, it is customary to prepare a delicious treat and ask for forgiveness from everyone who comes to dinner. It was then that housewarming parties were held, and the day before in new house A red rooster was allowed, as well as a cat. All this was and is an excellent reason to reconcile with each other and forgive old grievances accumulated over the year.
- Indian summer opens the period of conservation and preparations for the winter. By this time, apples and late varieties of pears are just ripening. It's time to finish digging up potatoes, harvesting corn, sunflowers and other useful crops. In addition, it already makes sense to go to the forest to collect honey mushrooms. In the old days, women processed this all together, taking turns moving from one hut to another, singing songs, laughing, and also flirting with unmarried guys.
- Modern people are more pragmatic and have a somewhat lenient attitude towards ancient traditions. Therefore, Indian summer is a perfect time for notorious skeptics to create unique photo sessions. Pictures taken at this time will definitely remind you of the last warm days, and your soul will be more cheerful even in the most severe cold.
In addition to all of the above, it is in the autumn period that mass events are most often held. most interesting events: festivals, rallies, farmers' fairs, creative plein airs and literary readings. For example, at the end of September, a grape harvest festival is held in Baden pod Vienna, which anyone can attend. The Munich beer festival Oktoberfest, which was originally held in honor of the wedding of Louis of Bavaria and Theresa of Saxony, usually lasts several weeks. For the most advanced, European Bike Week is suitable, which takes place in Faak am See, Austria, under the auspices of Harley-Davidson and is a gathering of bikers from different countries. Since the early sixties of the last century, Wales has also hosted the Number 6 music festival, which can be visited from the sixth to the ninth of September.
Signs accompanying Indian summer
People say that if you hunt at the height of this period, your health will be good all year. Moreover, this applies not only to the hunters themselves, but also to their families, dogs and horses.
It's summer in Marfino and late love is in full swing. If you want to catch it, go to the river and watch how the willow drops its leaves into the water. You can see your betrothed in the cold water.
Bury a fly and the spirit will be gone. In the old days, it was believed that before the onset of Indian summer it was under no circumstances possible to destroy flies, otherwise they would multiply very much. With the beginning of this period, everything became the opposite. This seems like a superstition, but autumn “biting” flies are really much less pitiful.
Semyon will make peace - the second honeymoon will last. At this time, it was worth putting up with quarreling spouses.
If a rainbow appears in the sky during the young Indian summer, this means that autumn promises to be long and quite warm.
If it rains at this time, then autumn will be very dry. If it’s dry outside the window, then the weather will be rainy and humid until winter.
If there are a lot of webs flying in the air (webs with side-walkers), then the autumn will be extremely warm and clear, and the winter will be frosty and snowy, which is very good for the harvest.
The best time for a housewarming is Indian summer. If you move to a new house at this time, then future life she will become happy and rich in it.
If at this time the foliage on the trees still retains its green color, which means autumn will be long.
If the wedding took place at this time, then it was very good sign for newlyweds. This meant that their honeymoon would last a lifetime.
INDIAN SUMMER – history, traditions, folk signs.
"Indian Summer" It is customary to call the last warm sunny days of September. Of particular value this period time has in regions with fairly short and unpredictable summers. Let's try to figure out why this is an “Indian” summer and not a “peasant” one.
By definition, Indian summer occurs around the same time every year.
It's mid-September. Starts September 13-14 and ends September 23-27. In general, you will only be able to bask in the sun for 1-2 weeks.
Of course, this is all very conditional and depends on geography. For example, in the European part of Russia, warm days begin on September 13. IN Central Siberia already a couple of days later.
And in the Far East, warm days arrive at the end of September or even at the beginning of October.
And this year, according to numerous weather forecasts, it is expected that the Indian summer will be divided into 2 parts. Between them there will be colder temperatures and precipitation in the form of rain.
Essence and traditions
The main idea is clear - warm, dry, sunny weather. Why does it occur? The whole reason is a stable anticyclone. Thanks to him, we can throw off our raincoats and enjoy the warmth to the fullest. In general, no miracles...
By the way, it should also be noted that Indian summer begins immediately after the first significant cold snap. At the beginning of September there are several rainy and unusually cold days. And at the end of this depressing period, the long-awaited (and for some unexpected) warmth comes.
If for some reason you don’t like the name of “this” summer, feel free to call it “Indian Summer”! This is the common name in North America.
In tradition Eastern Slavs this short period sunny weather inextricably linked with harvesting. This also includes rituals associated with seeing off summer and welcoming autumn. In general, people have fun after the harvest.
Of course, one cannot do without influence Orthodox culture. For example, September 14 is the day of Simeon the Chronicler, and September 21 is Osenina (harvest festival in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
Folk signs
The most famous sign is this flying web (“snake”). If you get a spider web in your face, or if you notice one in large quantities on various plants, in the meadows, on the branches of trees, it means there will be a good start autumn: warm and without rain.
If it so happens that the entire Indian summer is stormy, then the subsequent autumn will be drier. And vice versa. “Riding on Semyon Day makes horses bolder, dogs become kinder and don’t get sick.”
The more flying cobwebs, the warmer and brighter the autumn will be.
Why is it called that (and what are the names in other countries)
Exist different versions origin of the name of “this” summer. And almost all of them came from the people.
In the old days, women had a very hard time. There is work in the field, harvesting, and preparing food for winter time, and also family troubles. Let's not mention the terrible serfdom period...
So, these warm September days were short time relaxation for all women. Then they started laying flax, doing handicrafts, in general, new work was going on.
*Another version concerns that very cobweb flying in the fields. The web is somewhat similar to a woman's long gray hair.
*At this time, you can see the Pleiades constellation in the sky. People called him briefly - Baba.
As for names in other countries, parallels are also drawn with women.
In German-speaking countries it is the “summer of old ladies.” In France - “Summer of Saint Denis”, in Italy - “Summer of Saint Martin”. In the USA and Canada, as mentioned earlier, “Indian summer” is coming. And finally, in Bulgaria - “Gypsy Summer”.
Now you know when Indian summer is expected, what kind of summer it is, and where the “Indian” name comes from. I wish you to nourish yourself with warmth and positive emotions these days!
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