In the week of Latvia's birthday, it is worth remembering the special pre-wedding traditions of the Latvian sauna, which will raise any wedding and relationship to a new level. There are things to experience in the sauna - that's exactly what sauna woman and medicine wife Līga Reiter believes, who shared her insights on various pre-wedding sauna rituals with the portal Līgavām.lv.

THE RITUAL OF WASHING THE BRIDE'S BACK

If the wedding is planned in keeping with ancient Latvian traditions, then the bride should prepare a special sauna ritual. Washing the bride's back is a ritual practiced by the bride with her sisters and girlfriends before the wedding, in order to wash away all excess from herself before the important event - not only physically, but also mentally.

According to tradition, in the evening itself, the bride's back is washed by her mother, who symbolizes the feminine energy and strength of the family, which is passed on, without her knowledge.

"This ritual symbolizes the moment when the mother and daughter become equal in their own right - they reconcile, so to speak. The mother washes her daughter's back for the last time as a child and for the first time as a wife's back. That is the main thing in this tradition - to establish equality," says Līga Reiter. She points out that people still practice this tradition, but the most important thing is that only family members, preferably only mother and daughter, take part in it, and not someone invited from outside.

PAMPERING OF THE YOUNG COUPLE IN THE BATH

Sauna owner Līga Reiter says that couples also like the rituals of pampering the new couple in the sauna, or pre-wedding spanking for the new couple.

"This ritual symbolizes that both are kicked together, it is a joint enjoyable experience in the sauna, through which you can get rid of tension before the wedding, because after all, the wedding is a big and stressful event, when a person becomes tired, overworked, overworked and therefore physically weakened.

There are couples who say after spanking that the tension is gone. That is why this ritual should be done as close as possible to the wedding, even the day before, so that the tension does not return again," advises the bather. In such pampering rituals of the young couple, the sauna serves as a satisfaction that everything is ready. "For example, a foot bath is important in the ritual, because it is the foundation that is under the feet and on which the whole body rests. Therefore, plants that symbolize both bitterness, saltiness, and sweetness should be placed in these baths, so that, for example, bitterness is like a foundation under the feet and not a burden on the back," says Līga Reiter.

She points out that couples choose such rituals more and more often. "During the ritual, the young couple bathes each other - it is important that the bather does not disturb. But already after the bath, the new couple receives long white bathrobes and covers them with flowers. Most often it is done with rose petals, but other flowers can also be used. Why flowers? Because a flower is the flower of love and blooming also means giving love to another," says Līga Reiter.

IN PLACE OF CHESTER PARTIES – BRIDAL BATH!

Those girls who like Latvian traditions are recommended to visit Līgavu pirtī. It is a special ritual with girlfriends to do before the wedding. An event lasting almost six hours with SPA elements in the peace and quiet of the countryside, or an opportunity to clear your thoughts and feel like a real bride. Līga Reiter points out that the rituals of the bridal bath essentially mean the preparation of the bride's body.

"The hen party in the sauna is a newly created tradition and such rituals are dominated by pampering procedures, talking and discussing what is to come and what has already been experienced.

This is the time when the bride can still enjoy the sauna and spend time with her friends as a free and unattached woman, because after the wedding, life will begin a different rhythm. Secondly, in such rituals, the bride receives beauty treatments from the hands of her girlfriends. I think it is a very beautiful tradition. We must remember that the change of traditions does not happen in one day, so I am especially glad that there is both supply and demand for such activities, because after all, there are things to experience in the sauna," said Līga Reiter.

Latvijā ir dažādi pirtnieki un SPA kompleksi, kas piedāvā pirts rituālus pirms kāzām gan līgavai, gan līgavainim, bet, ievērojot visas tradīcijas, svarīgi atrast tādu pirtnieku, kas patiesi būs sava amata meistars, sapratīs rituāla nozīmīgumu un spēs to ne vien īstenot, bet arī izskaidrot. Juris Batņa and Līga Reitere are definitely considered good bathers, but of course they are not the only bathers in Latvia. If you find a bather and still are not sure how high-quality the specific offer will be and meet your wishes, it is recommended to ask the experts.