Belarus, Russia and Ukraine Bread and salt

us naval officer takes part in bread , salt ceremony after arriving in vladivostok, russia, july 3, 2006.

when important, respected, or admired guests arrive, presented loaf of bread (usually korovai) placed on rushnyk (embroidered towel). salt holder or salt cellar placed on top of bread loaf or secured in hole on top of loaf. on official occasions, bread , salt presented young women dressed in national costumes (e.g., sarafan , kokoshnik).

the tradition gave rise russian word expresses person s hospitality: khlebosolny (literally: bready-salty ). in general, word bread associated in russian culture hospitality, bread being respected food, whereas salt associated long friendship, expressed in russian saying eat pood of salt (together someone) . historically russian empire had high salt tax made salt expensive , prized commodity (see moscow uprising of 1648).

american vice president joe biden dips piece of bread in salt part of welcoming ceremony upon arrival in kiev, ukraine, july 20, 2009.

there traditional russian greeting khleb da sol! (Хлеб да соль! bread , salt! ). phrase uttered arriving guest expression of wish towards host s household. used beggars implicit hint fed, therefore mocking rhymed response known: khleb da sol! — yem da svoy! (Хлеб да соль — ем да свой! bread , salt! — eating , own! ).

in russian orthodox church, customary greet bishop @ steps of church when arrives pastoral visit church or monastery bread , salt.