Interesting facts for the Day of defender.
Probably no one would argue that the Cossacks – is an interesting “phenomenon” in Ukrainian (and even world) history. How many different references to them, and not only Ukrainian. However, along with their courage, strength, cunning and wit often found a drop of mysticism, which makes them something more than just warriors. So maybe do the Cossacks were not so common.
Here are some interesting facts about Ukrainian knights: in addition to weapons, the strength and skill to fight well, the Cossacks had another significant advantage – the ingenuity and cunning. Almost always, they managed to sneak up to the enemy and catch him off guard. Usually that gave chances to win.
Remember about the original boat, the Cossacks were used for military campaigns. As strange as it may sound, but it can be called “ancestor” of modern submarines. It consisted of two bottoms, between which are arranged the load to submerge the ship in water. So the Cossacks quietly swam to the enemy. Before the onset of the cargo was thrown out, and the ship suddenly rose to the surface. Of course, it was a surprise for the enemy, nobody had expected Zaporozhye army can emerge from the depths of the sea 🙂 For the same case was used the inverted gull – the famous boats of the Cossacks, who feared neither storms nor enemy warships. They are often turned upside down to sneak up to the enemy
Sich is called the first democratic unification of the world. When you consider that many people came here through a social injustice, it is not surprising. All questions concerning life and activities of the Cossacks was decided by a vote on the Council.
It is believed that in peacetime the main entertainment of Cossacks was booze. Of course, not complete without it. But the Cossacks also loved the cultural and recreation: played musical instruments, sang songs, danced and staged demonstrations fighting yourself and others. Also they had a lot of things around the house, because the camp women was not, therefore, had to Tinker yourself.
But in the campaigns of the drink was strictly forbidden. Violation of this rule was equated to treason and could be punishable by death.
It is clear that the family life of a Cossack was difficult, if not was. But they found counterparts at the camp in which all were willing to give. They say that they had even a special ritual, during which the soldiers exchanged their own crucifix. It meant loyalty to each other.
The laws at the camp were tough enough. For stealing or killing one of the brothers, Cossack paid not only life, but doing it in a rather cruel manner: he could have been buried alive with the dead, or beat with batons, often ended fatally. So, we can say that it is inhumane, but discipline is excellent.
Was among the Cossacks special guys called characterniki. It was believed that they come from ancient pagan Magi who possessed secret knowledge that could predict the future. Some historians hold the theory that the adoption of Christianity in Russia, they were persecuted by princes and the Greeks. Therefore, the Magi-pagans created small enterprises far from the big cities – Sich. There they taught future soldiers martial arts, rituals and customs. About characterniki said that they “neither fire, nor water, nor sword, nor an ordinary bullet, except silver, do not take” and that they “could have opened without keys locks, to boating on the floor, like the waves of the sea, cross the river on a cloth of felt or mats of vines, to touch with bare hands red-hot cannon balls, to see for a few layers around them, to be at the bottom of the river, to get in and out of tight tied and even sewn bags “tumble” in cats, turn people into bushes riders on the birds to get into the usual bucket and go it under water for hundreds of thousands of layers “…
Cossacks enjoyed not only their knowledge, but also borrow fighting techniques from other people. They say that at the camp lived not only Ukrainians, but also representatives of about 20 different nationalities: Russians, poles, Moldovans, Belarusians … Besides the Cossacks and hetmans often traveled the world, got acquainted with the culture and customs of other countries.
Sich can rightly be considered the first political formation on the territory of Ukraine, as she had all the signs of the Republic, she was independent and all European countries tried to establish diplomatic relations with it.
One flag for the Cossacks were not, however, from the 17th century were talking about the main banner of Zaporizhzhya state. It was a picture of Archangel Michael on a red background on one side, and white cross, Golden sun, the Crescent moon and stars on the other. As a kind of emblem was a Cossack with a musket.
Interestingly, on the flags of the Cossacks was often depicted hexagonal star. However, the Jews did not touch. In antiquity it was a symbol of magic and the emblem of the individual genera. Then it was quite a popular sign, means harmony.
With regard to the distinctive hairstyle and mustache of Ukrainian knights, it is said that the Cossacks inherited from their pagan ancestors. The tradition of shaving the head and face was passed down from local tribes to Kievan Rus, and so eventually came to the Cossacks. Historians say that the ancient Slavs there is no God with a beard or long hair, so this way has long been considered divine. Although there is another legend that the Cossacks considered themselves too sinful for heaven. So when they go to hell, God can pardon them and pull the hair. In General, such a legend, like hair, was inherent not only to the Cossacks. In ancient times, herring was cut to the Egyptian pharaohs, the Indians from some tribes of Tartars, Indians, Persians, Japanese samurai … Or at least remember Turkish Gin. For many people the herring symbolized the “ray of sunshine”. The difference between them and the Cossacks consisted only in the fact that the Cossacks was cut herring on his forehead, while other Nations were left in the middle of the head or neck. And yet, the Cossacks said: “As the war will be lost – I the angel bear in the sky on the hair.”
Existed among the Cossacks interesting custom. Their tent was always open. The traveler or passer-by can go there, to visit, to eat and head out on the road. And even if you’re not home. However, there was a strict rule, hut nothing to make, and otherwise punished. And someone will find the thing at the camp, binds her to a high post. Than three days the owner is not there, then the matter passes into the possession of whoever found it.
Tell you that on the island still grows a huge oak, sung in the Cossack songs and legends. Some of them told that the Cossacks were held underneath their own rituals, going for a fight. It is said that the tree is 700 years old.
Regarding the origin of the word “Cossack” is also there are many theories. Some Polish researchers believed that it was derived from the name of a famous leader, whose name was Kozak and who skillfully fought with the Tartars; or the name comes from the word “goat”, because the Cossacks were very cunning and can climb anything. The Turkish “Kazak” means “tramp”, “the Highwayman”. It is logical that the Turks gave the Cossacks a nickname. Obviously it caught on in Ukraine and over time lost a negative connotation.
They say that the Cossacks got to America. Tell us that John Smith, one of the founders of the first British settlement in the Americas, a bit earlier participated in the Catholic struggle against the Tatars and Turks. During one of the battles he was taken prisoner, where he stayed until the Cossacks did not save him. Subsequently, he stayed at the camp, and thence returned to England, where he invited the Cossacks. Just at this time the British decided to establish the first colony in America. Say, John Smith went on a journey, taking with him several of the Cossacks, wishing.
