Hand-forged Blacksmith Day in Russia

Blacksmithing, one of the most ancient crafts, was patronized by the Slavic god Svarog and the ancient Greek Hephaestus Craftsmen with iron processing skills were highly respected, and their work was in demand Professional metal processing made it possible to create high-quality weapons and armor, household items and agricultural tools Blacksmiths changed horseshoes, rethreaded wheels, and used hammers to make irons, axes, axes, plows, harrows, pokers, grips, knives and much more on anvils Thanks to the work of craftsmen and their assistants, metal coins and jewelry appeared in everyday life The male part of the family was often involved in the work of village forges The craft was inherited from father to son along with a personal mark The main equipment of the workshop were bellows and a blacksmith's forge, and the tools were an anvil, tongs, a hammer, bits and a chisel At the forge there was a poker, a shovel for coal and a sprinkler - a mop made of sponge for wetting with water Today, like hundreds of years ago, despite the automation of production, craftsmen handcraft twisted staircases, fireplace grates, canopies, gates and forged sculptures A professional holiday has been established in honor of artisans November 19 is the Day of the Hand-Forged Blacksmith Metal processing was carried out by both generalists and specialist craftsmen Thus, a blacksmith who made axes and axes was called an ax maker, only sickles and scythes were called a sickle maker, weapons were called a gun maker, fishing accessories were called an udnik, and jewelry was called a ring maker or a pin maker Not everyone could become a craftsman The blacksmith had to have physical strength, worldly experience, skills and a sharp mind The words “cunning” and “machines” come from the word “forge” There was a popular belief that blacksmiths had magical powers, and therefore invisibly protected the village from attacks by evil spirits Craftsmanship skills were passed down from generation to generation, as were production tools along with personal marks The forge was not placed next to the house, but separately from the place of residence Usually 2 people worked in it - a master and his assistant He took part in molding, perforating, embossing, trimming, shaping and other technological processes The blacksmith's son, who received the mark from his father, had the right to add a “honey moth” to the design - a feature that showed that the seal belonged to him personally Today, manual processing of iron is exotic, a tribute to historical traditions However, folk crafts do not disappear thanks to craftsmen who create real masterpieces using ancient technologies Blacksmiths manually make candelabra and knives, twisted grilles for fences and gates, decor for decorating building facades and other products Working with fire and iron imparts calmness and prudence and requires the application of remarkable physical strength, professional skills and abilities All metal artists who continue the craft traditions of their ancestors are congratulated on November 19 on the Day of the Hand-Forged Blacksmith