Ukrainian embroidery: colors, ornaments

The Ukrainian people, like all other cultures, have their own specific symbols. One of the most characteristic symbols is Ukrainian embroidery. From the article you will learn a little about its history, elements and something else that is no less interesting.

A bit of history

First of all, it should be noted that Ukrainian embroidery has a fairly long history. Modern researchers find evidence that it existed in the far sixth century: embroidery was decorated with people's clothing. Today, this decoration is also inherent in things from a modern wardrobe. Interesting for many will be the fact that at all times embroidery on men's shirts and women's dresses differed depending on the locality where the person lived. So, for example, on Polesie, for example, simple compositions were embroidered, in which lines and triangles prevailed. As for the Kiev region, it was inherent, in the main, namely a vegetative-geometric pattern, and in Chernigov, white embroideries were in high esteem. Very interesting is the southern Ukrainian embroidery, the scheme there is often filled with semi-crosses, so that the drawings are almost perfect shape. Ternopil embroidery is also very unusual. There, craftsmen like oblong stitches, because of what the picture is as if voluminous and convex. Another interesting fact is that the Carpathian Ukrainian embroidery looks the most richly. The scheme in this version will be full of different colors, and the pictures themselves will change not only regionally, but even from the village to the village. The Transcarpathian regions are characterized by the use of the so-called "curved" zigzag. As for the flowers, then here the embroidery can be made as white thread, and be adorned with all the colors of the rainbow.

Embroidery as a guardian

Very important will be the fact that Ukrainian embroidery is not just an ornament of clothes. Each ornament in it means something and carries a certain sacred meaning. In general, we can say that for Ukrainians embroidered design often became a guard: the girls decorated their shawls with their loved ones, women guarding them, embroidered towels that were supposed to protect the house from evil spirit, etc. As for the most towels, they occupied The central place in many ceremonies - at the wedding, at the time of birth and baptism of the baby. With the towels sent even people to another world.

Elements of an ornament

So, what are the main elements in your arsenal of Ukrainian cross-stitch embroidery?

1. Water and the Sun. It will be important that all Ukrainian embroidery is permeated with these elements. The celestial star is most often depicted in the form of an octagonal flower, water often resembles a clotted ghost or a modern dollar sign. These symbols are often embroidered in pairs.
2. Maternal symbol. Very important is also in each embroidery the element, which looks like an eight-pointed star.
3. Rose flower. Earlier in Ukraine, not a rose was spoken, but a ruzha, based on the ancient name of the sun - Ra. This flower is also a solar symbol, a symbol of life, death and rebirth.
4. Kalina. This is a very important element of Ukrainian embroidery. The word "kalina" comes from the word "kolo", ie, the circle, the sun. In addition, the viburnum berries are a symbol of blood and the immortality of the genus.
5. Oak. This is a masculine symbol, mostly adorned with men's clothing, giving the guys strength and energy.
6. Poppy. This plant was also the main one in Ukrainian embroidery, since Ukrainians always believed that it was the poppy that protected from evil and evil forces.
7. Stars. This is the idea of the people about the universe.
8. Diamonds and geometric shapes. Security symbols that do not allow evil to penetrate a person (in the case of embroidery on clothes) or in the house (security towels, tablecloths, tracks, etc.).

Colors

It is worth mentioning that Ukrainian embroidery can be created in different colors. However, each of them has its own specific meaning and interpretation.

1. White color. It is an attribute of the sun-god, is a guard against evil spirits.
2. Red color. Color of love, blood relationship. Attracts positive energy, protects from evil.
3. Black color. Do not think that this is the color of death. In Ukrainian embroidery, it symbolizes prosperity, wealth. It is also the color of wisdom. And all because the Ukrainian people have long valued and revered the land (in this case, black color - the color of the earth, chernozem).

Other colors are also present in the embroidery common in the territory of Ukraine, however they are less significant and not so often used.

clothing

Another interesting fact is that embroidery at all times was decorated not only with women, but also with men's and children's clothes. So, men have always beautifully embroidered shirts, small children have shirts. However, especially loved to decorate themselves with various ornaments ladies. So, it could be Ukrainian dresses with embroidery: for daily socks and festive, different shirts, scarves, aprons, etc. In addition, ruffles, firanki (curtains on windows), tracks, bed-clothes, various napkins and scarves .