Šulinys - The Well

Šulinys - The Well

The well is often mentioned in Lithuanians‘ beliefs and customs. All of Lithuania firmly believed that well water turned into wine at midnight on Christmas Eve. It was just unfortunate, that the instant was so fleeting that no one was able to ever taste the wine.

So that their well waters would always be fresh and clean, householders would bring home some specially blessed holy water from the church on Grabnyčios day, (February 2) and pour some of it down the well. On Holy Saturday, any holy water that remained from last year would be poured into the well, while some of it was also sprinkled on the cottage roof as protection from lightning.

Two types of wells were prevalent in the Lithuanian countryside. The oldest was the sweep, with its tall, y-shaped lever (svirtis) holding the long sweeping pole. From this pole hung the chain to which the water bucket was attached. The pole was lifted from the ground, swung round its place in the notch of the Y, and the bucket was let down into the depths of the well. The other type was a hooded, above-ground structure with a crank controlling a long rope holding the bucket to be let down into the well.

A wedding custom still observed today shows respect to the well: a newly-wed couple, awakened the next morning and escorted from their bed by a delegation of celebrating relatives, neighbors and musicians, is brought to the well to wash. According to old tradition, the bride must leave a few gifts (woven towels) at the well. This serves as homage to the water, as well as thanks to those hosting the wedding festivities.

The well was sometimes thought to predict future events: Some villagers believed it was wise not to look into a well on Kūčios eve, as you might see a coffin, and never see another Christmas. Girls, wanting to know who they would marry, would throw some hemp seeds towards the well on St. Andrew‘s Day (November 30), hoping to see a handsome face when next they looked into the water. Even better, a maiden could throw some seeds directly into the well water, then pray: „Saint Andrew, sower of hemp, let me see my cavalier“. She then had to listen for music - if it was happy, she could expect a wedding.

This article was printed in Bridges, 2011