Jāņi is a Latvian holiday, celebrated in the night between June 23rd and 24th. The 23rd is known as Līgo, and the 24th as Jāņi. Latvians celebrate the Summer Solstice, on the longest day and shortest night of the year. The 2 days are public holidays, and people get together with their families, typically in rural areas to celebrate.
Jāņi’s roots are in ancient pagan mythology. Over time, the days celebrated have shifted from the 21st and 22nd, to match up better with Saint John Baptist’s day, but the Latvian celebration has nothing to do with Christianity. Jāņi is believed to be the time of year when the nature spirits are at their strongest, and the spirit world and our world are closest together. People used to decorate their doors with rowan branches to protest from evil, but nowadays birch, oak and flowers are more typical. Ferns also bear special protective meaning. Women wear wreaths of flowers on their heads, men wear wreaths of oak leaves. Cattle are also decorated with wreaths in the countryside.
Fortune-tellers predict how well the crop harvest will be that year, or livestock’s fertility. Another event on this day is the search for the mythical fern flower. In the past, this was thought to mean the search for eternal knowledge, but today it’s meaning is synonymous with sexuality. Traditionally, an increase in births nine months after Jāņi is common, and at a perfect time of year for farmers (end of March).
The most important element is fire. A fire is typically kept burning from sunset to sunrise, and traditionally people would jump over the bonfire to ensure productivity and health in the following year. Food and drink are in abundance, typically beer and a type of cheese curds with caraway seeds. People stay up all night, believing that it is bad luck to fall asleep before sunrise.
Jāņi is looked forward to almost as much as Christmas in Latvia.
A Latvian Canadian Story
Tracing my Latvian roots back as far as I can, telling stories along the way
