Even in the age of the triumph of science and technology, superstition and omens are still not completely eradicated from the consciousness of people. Many are still sincerely indignant, having sprinkled salt and met a black cat on their way. Similarly, there is a sign regarding giving towels for the holidays. Therefore, it is not surprising that many are wondering why you should not give a towel.
The roots of superstition
Superstition, like many other gifts, did not ignore the towels. It is believed that such a gift promises only trouble. So what is the reason for this, and do they give towels? You can get answers to all these questions by arranging an excursion into history. In ancient times, in Russia, a towel was used in rituals, namely in funeral and wedding. Even relatively recently, in the middle of the twentieth century, a towel was hung out the window if death was in the house. After the deceased was taken out of the house, the doors were not closed, but tied with a towel. In addition, the coffin itself was lowered into the ground on towels, and after the funeral, they were cut into pieces and handed out to the participants in the mourning ceremony in memory of the deceased.
Nowadays, a towel is also used during funerals: those who carry the coffin should wrap a towel around their hand, because it is believed that otherwise they will be in wait for misfortune. It is not known how true this sign is, but not everyone dares to argue with long-standing superstitions. This sheds light on the question of why you should not give a towel.
Use during the wedding
Wedding rituals in ancient times also could not do without towels. They were tied over their shoulders in the manner of how they are now tied a ribbon of honorary witness. Bread and salt were brought out on an embroidered rushnyk ; a wedding rushnyk was laid in front of the house entrance. Young had to step on him so that a happy family life awaited them .
So why not give towels? The sign prohibits!
What does the popular belief say?
According to signs, to take a towel as a gift means to accept illness and quarrels. Another superstition connects this subject with the road and promises parting.
If you come across a superstitious person or you learned about the “danger” of a gift too late, when it is already bought and packaged, you can present it in exchange for a nominal fee: a few coins will remove the discomfort from both the giver and the recipient. After all, no one forbids us to buy anything.
So, we found out why the sign prohibits giving a towel.
What else is undesirable to give?
A towel is far from the only thing that some people do not want to receive as a gift because of their superstition. If you carefully study this issue, you can find many more items that are not recommended for use as presentations.
Likewise, many perceive knives, watches, perfumes, handkerchiefs, pearls, combs, photographs, slippers, mirrors ... The list goes on and on. In this connection, a quite reasonable question arises: "Is there anything that can be given?" But this is a separate issue.
Despite the whole sinister history of the use of towels, there are situations when the question of why you can’t give a towel should not arise, since in these cases it is allowed to do so.
When can I give a towel?
There are 2 specific cases when it is quite appropriate to present such a present: wedding and baptism.
Since, as you already know, the towel was widely used in wedding ceremonies in Russia, it is not forbidden to give it on this occasion. There is no longer a sign, and such a gift is considered as a tribute to traditions.
You can also bring such a gift for baptism, because after dipping the child in the font, you need to wrap it in a new towel.
Is it necessary?
Even if you yourself have never thought about why you should not give a towel, it’s better not to risk it, and if you assume that a person may be wary of such a gift or refuse it at all, you don’t need to give a towel. The point is not in the present itself, but in the mood of the recipient. After all, no one wants to spoil the emotional mood with their gift. Presentations should bring joy, not frustration. This will be the main answer to the question of why you can not give a towel.
If the recipient is not superstitious, then he will willingly accept such a necessary and always demanded thing. Otherwise, he will blame you for all his future failures, even if the gift has absolutely nothing to do with it, and this is most likely the case.