Indian summer: why was it called that? It has long been called the period of dry and warm weather before autumn. And it begins thanks to a stable anticyclone. Such a piece of summer usually occurs in late August or during September - after a noticeable cooling. Often during this period, plants begin to bloom again, which usually do this only once a year. It is an amazingly beautiful time when it seems that it’s also summer, but autumn has already spread its magnificent carpet. Colorful leaves, bright petals, like burning gems. All this creates positive emotions, improves mood, people become softer, as nature itself calms, as it were, sets up for kindness and peace.
Other names
An early summer period is called Indian summer among the Western or Eastern Slavs. In the south, it is called Gypsy, in Serbia - Mikhailov. In Croatia, there is a third name - Martin Summer. In German-speaking - an old woman, in Holland - an afterlife, In North America - Native American, In Italy - St. Martin, In France - St. Denis. In Portuguese-speaking - Veraniku (Letochko), in Spanish-speaking - several names that depend on the month. For example, in August-September - St. Miguel, and in October or November - St. Joan.
Indian summer story
Why Indian summer is so called: the very first mentions were related to the time when older women before the cold for the last time this year could bask in the sun. It was then that all the work in the field was completed, and the village peasants took up other things: they soaked, battered and wove linen.
Why is it called the Indian summer: in the old days, cucumbers were often salted during this period, as well as settled old conflicts and put up. This time period was considered a rural holiday. Indian summer, why they called it that way: these days women often arranged gatherings, sang, spun, and when the cold came, they began to needlework and fiddled with canvases. Often the name of this time period was associated with the common expression: "when almost everything is lost, only a woman can warm very much."
Duration
Sometimes, after the onset of cold weather, people think about the question of whether Indian summer will be this year? Of course, yes, it happens every year. When does Indian summer begin? It is impossible to determine the exact number, since it can “come” at different times and its duration may vary. Most often, it lasts one to two weeks, which fall in mid-September, and sometimes can capture the beginning of October. In Russia, the beginning of the Indian summer is approximately September 14th. In other countries, months and dates may vary. It all depends on the climate.
If we consider the modern scientific explanation, then the question “why is it called the Indian summer”, you can get the following answer: this is the time when a stable anticyclone is established, which affects the warming of the weather. In such a period, the soil and air are not much cooled at night, and warm well during the day. Nevertheless, the heat has already remained in the past. Why is an anticyclone formed? With the onset of cold weather, the foliage begins to fade sharply, in the process a large amount of heat is released. It rises, completely disperses the clouds, and contributes to an increase in atmospheric pressure. Thus, an anticyclone appears.
Customs and Signs
The people have developed their own signs that relate to this period of time. When Indian summer comes, peasants determine the weather by autumn and winter. A few popular signs and beliefs:
- according to one of the customs, on the day when the Indian summer began, it was necessary to go on horseback hunting with a teenage son. They believed that because of this the dogs became kinder and did not get sick, and the horses became bolder;
- if a rainbow appears in the sky during this period, then autumn will be long and warm;
- during rainy Indian summer, bad weather was expected;
- when Indian summer has come, the web flies through the air - this is a sign that the winter will be cold and the autumn will be clear.
What is the natural essence of this period?
When Indian summer comes, at this time all nature is preparing for the coming winter. The leaves undergo a process of destruction of green chlorophyll, and orange and yellow, red and violet colors - carotene, xanthophyll and anthocyanin begin to appear. It is these changes that affect wilting and are the cause of autumn leaf fall. They contribute to the release of large amounts of heat.
Because of one leaf or several blades of grass, such an effect would not have been. It is millions of tons of vegetation that cause a significant increase in temperature - several degrees at once. This is the reason for such a sudden warming after the onset of cooling. Why does Indian summer happen at different times? It always depends on the weather that happened last summer, and on the condition of shrubs, grasses and trees.
South or northerly winds, as well as meteorological conditions, can reduce or make Indian summer longer. But the heat that is released accelerates all the clouds, and, therefore, very little precipitation occurs. And here it already turns out that it is not the anticyclone that causes the “golden season”, but vice versa. Therefore, the period when the leaves have not yet begun to fall, and at the same time they are green, cannot be called a summer of women.
Folk calendar
According to such a calendar in Russia, the "golden season" has long been divided into several names. Young Indian summer "stood" in the interval from August 28 to September 11. And the old - from September 14 to 24. Initially, this period simply determined what autumn would be like. There were signs. But then the Indian summer began to be associated with a warm and dry period, when nature makes it possible to enjoy the last sunny sunny days before the cold.
Can Indian summer be twice a year?
This is a rather controversial issue, since it is generally believed that it can occur only once. But if August was warm and there was no cold, then sometimes people think that the Indian summer has already passed. And when it begins in September, they believe that this is the second time. However, no, this means that the Indian summer is “old” this year. It usually starts around September 14th. This is a day of remembrance of the Flight Leader - Simeon the Stylite.
Two periods of his arrival are periodically distinguished. Starting from August to September. According to the Orthodox calendar, it begins from the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and lasts exactly until the day of John the Baptist (the day of the Beheading). The second period is considered more mature, and it falls entirely to September, starting from the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and ending with the Exaltation.
But in the modern world, meteorologists still insist that Indian summer can only be once a year, and can not be repeated. It’s just that the boundaries of its advance and end are blurred, which leads people to confusion and to controversial issues.
What happens during the Indian summer
At this time, swimming is no longer worth it, since the water does not have time to warm up in a day and cools down very much at night. But here is the general mood of pacification, clear warm sunny days set people up for positive emotions. Previously, this was the period of completion of field and agricultural work, reconciliation, forgiveness. No wonder it coincides with church holidays.
Why Indian summer is so called: it is primarily associated with women, and the elderly, who in the villages during this period loved to sit on the mound and "warm their bones." According to popular tradition, it was at this time that a lot of wedding celebrations and various holidays were held. Nature is disposed to reflection, reflection, and even the beginning of a new period in life. It was in Babia that in the old days they tried to make plans for the future, believing that they would come true.
