TheChervona ruta (Monarda,Ukrainian:Червона рута,lit. 'Red Rue') may refer to a mythological or actual species offlowering plants in therue genus of the citrusfamily,Rutaceae, or therhododendron genus of the heath family,Ericaceae.
"Chervona" is translated from Ukrainian as red. The ruta flower has yellow blooms, but according to legend, on the eve ofIvan Kupala Day, the flower turns red for a very short time on the eve of thesummer solstice (celebrated on June 23 or sometimes July 7).
The flower brings fortune to the person who finds it. In various versions of the tale, the fern flower brings luck, wealth, or the ability to understandanimal speech. However, the flower is closely guarded byevil spirits and anyone who finds the flower will have access toearthly riches, which have never benefited anyone, so the decision to pick the flower or leave it alone is left up to the individual.
"Chervona Ruta" is a popular Ukrainian song written byVolodymyr Ivasyuk in 1968 and performed by many singers and groups. It was popularised by Ukrainian groups like "Smerichka" and singerSofia Rotaru, who later formed theChervona Ruta ensemble.
The song's initial popularity was followed by a 1971 Ukrainian musical filmChervona Ruta written by Miroslav Skochilyas and directed by Roman Oleksiv, starring Sofia Rotaru andVasyl Zinkevych alongside other popular Soviet Ukrainian ensembles.
TheChervona Ruta Festival is a biennialmusic festival in Ukraine, which started in 1989.