Embroidery
An embroidered shirt was a symbol of ancestral memory, which was passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom. Each symbol on the embroidery had its own protective meaning, was designed to protect a person from danger and the evil eye. The embroidery process was accompanied by chants and rituals. There were special days for embroidery: Thursday was considered the best (a Thursday shirt was considered a strong amulet that protects its owner from evil and guarantees a long and happy life). A special type of embroidered shirt was the wedding shirt, which was supposed to protect the bride from evil. This shirt was kept throughout life and worn only for the most important events (children's weddings, christenings). Often, the wedding shirt was passed down as an inheritance to a daughter or granddaughter.
Vytynanka
It was not only an element that decorated the home, but also a powerful amulet. Vytynanki were made in the form of a cross (hung on a string near the cradle to protect the baby from evil forces), periwinkle (symbolized health and beauty), angels (protected the home and all its inhabitants, guarded the peace of the family), trees of life (a symbol of lineage and continuity of generations, often birds were placed on the branches, and human silhouettes and animals were placed below the trunk). Vytynanki were decorated with godparents and godmothers, and were used instead of curtains on windows.
Towel
It was an ancient amulet of the home and family, accompanying all significant events: baptisms, meetings and farewells of guests, weddings, funerals. Like embroidery, the towel was passed down from generation to generation, it protected the family. Towels were hung in corners, above windows and on walls, they decorated the altar. The ornaments on the towels symbolized the family (the tree of life and the guardian angel), the connection with nature (various animals and birds, periwinkle, oak leaves and viburnum chains) and the universe (solar signs, symbols of earth, water and air). The towel testified to the hard work and neatness of the craftswoman. The towel in the house served as a powerful amulet and therefore it was hung above those places through which evil forces could penetrate (doors, windows).
Cross
Long before the spread of Christianity, Ukrainians wore body crosses, which were considered a talisman against evil forces (now they can be seen on zgards - a decoration common in Transcarpathia, consisting of several rows of crosses interspersed with corals or glasses; a girl received her first zgard on her first name day, and in subsequent years zgards were given in pairs). Crosses were used to decorate dishes. For example, jugs with crosses, made on St. Theodore's Saturday (the first Saturday of Great Lent) during the service, were considered a talisman. Holy water was stored in these jugs, and it was also believed that if milk was stored in them, it would protect the cow from witches. With the spread of Christianity, the cross became an attribute of religion and its protection of believers. Crosses were placed on the side of the road, on the edge of the forest, near wells and ponds to protect settlements from evil people and animals, as well as terrible diseases. The cross accompanied a person from childhood (a personal cross worn during the rite of baptism) to the end of the journey (a grave cross with the name of the deceased engraved or carved on it).
Plants-amulets
Our ancestors believed in the magical power of plants, which not only healed but also protected against evil forces. The following plants were considered amulets: wormwood (it protected against mermaids, it was woven into a wreath, and it was also carried with you during the Mermaid Easter - from Maundy Thursday to Sunday. After the Green Holidays, a wreath with wormwood was hung above the door so that no evil force would penetrate the home), garlic (garlic cloves were placed at the corners of the table on Christmas Eve, sewn into the shirts of small children, woven into the bride's wedding wreath - so that nothing would interfere with the happiness of the newlyweds, and on Kupala night, garlic was pressed into the udder of a cow so that the witch would not steal the milk), aspen (it protected livestock from witches, so aspen stakes were placed in the fence), willow (consecrated willow branches were beaten during Palm Week to give health and strength, and an infusion of this branch was used to treat diseases and spells), viburnum (viburnum blossoms were woven into a wedding wreath, decorated the loaf, and viburnum branches were placed on the table near the newlyweds so that their love would be strong and eternal) and branches of broad-leaved trees (they decorated the home during the Green Holidays to protect the home from evil forces).
Easter egg
Since ancient times, the egg has been considered a symbol of the Sun and life. The patterns applied to the eggs symbolized the Universe, the Sun, and the infinity of the life cycle (the birth and death of nature). In Christian times, images of the cross, willow branches, and greenery that flourishes in spring appeared on the eggs. Girls and women painted the eggs. The first to call for a happy fate were women who wanted to have a child - in order to eventually give birth. Magic eggs were made by women who had a full house, were happy in marriage, and had given birth to children. The eggs were made for both good and evil, so it was worth being very careful. The egg was kept from one Easter to the next. The old egg was buried in the ground. The Easter egg accompanied a person at all stages of life: it was placed at the first baptism so that the child would be healthy, it was thrown into the field so that the harvest would be good, it was placed under the threshold of the stable so that the livestock would be healthy. When a new house was built, an Easter egg was placed in each corner, which was supposed to protect the house from fire, lightning, and various misfortunes.
Clothing
Our ancestors often applied careful embroidery to their clothes. For example, in the past, shirts were embroidered only on the collar, hem, and cuffs (they protected the person wearing the shirt from all sides from evil forces). Headdresses were also considered amulets: a wreath (12 herbs woven into it protected the girl from evil and the evil eye), a scarf (often decorated with careful embroidery around the edges, which protected the married woman, and often the future child, from unkind and envious people), a hat (crosses were embroidered on the brims of hats, and a cross was also sewn under the lining - this was supposed to protect a person from evil spirits and spells). A belt (krayka) was also considered an amulet, which served not only to hold pants and spare parts, but also protected from everything hostile and evil.
Bread
It was a symbol of the family home and comfort. Guests were greeted and seen off with bread and salt, young parents were blessed with bread, brought with it to the first feast for the newborn, blessed with bread on a long journey and accompanied with it on the last journey. Bread also symbolized the body of Christ and it was considered a terrible sin to throw away bread or play with it.
Water
It was considered a symbol of purification and a healing source of health and life. It was believed that unboiled water from a well could cure any disease and remove all curses, babies were bathed in it, and evil was washed away from the house with it. Sanctified Jordanian water was poured out to wash away diseases and sprinkled on the corners of the house so that no evil would approach or lurk in the corner. Water is considered a symbol of purity, so spitting in the water was considered a sin.
Charm toys and wind-up dolls
In ancient times, a motanka doll was placed in the cradle, which was supposed to protect the child from evil people and the evil eye. The motanka was made from old embroidered shirts, and the clothes were made from scraps of family members' clothes. The doll did not have a face (instead, a cross was embroidered or wound with threads). It was believed that a doll with a face could harm the baby. The motanka doll was carefully cared for, often used in various rituals (for example, the motanka was placed on the bride's lap to protect her from the evil and envious eye). However, there were dolls that were used only for rituals. For example, the krupenichka (with grain inside), which brought prosperity and satiety to the family; the Veps doll, which protected children from harm, and for young girls served as a sign of readiness for marriage (the doll was placed on the window, which was supposed to be a sign - here they were ready to receive matchmakers), it protected young mothers from the evil eye and evil words; the swaddle - a talisman for small children from evil spells and a symbol of maternal power for the bride; the wish-fulfilling doll, which was kept as far away from human eyes as possible, the doll was attributed with the power to fulfill the most secret dreams and hopes; the crypt, which was given for Christmas (coins were wrapped in the doll's hem and handles) so that money would be found in the house; the lovebirds, which symbolized the indissolubility of marriage (the doll was made with one common hand); the ash doll, which could be not only a ritual, but also a toy for entertaining children; A birthstone, which was given to a young woman so that the family would have many children, was given to a pregnant woman so that the birth would be easy and to protect the woman from the evil eye and evil tongue.
Necklace
This decoration performed not only an aesthetic role, but also a protective one. The strings of necklaces on a girl's neck testified not only to the wealth of the family, but also to the girl's protection from evil forces. Often, the necklaces included crosses-sgards, which were a powerful protective amulet. Many beliefs were associated with the necklace. For example, it was believed that a torn piece of coral foreshadowed bad luck and misfortune. The necklace was never borrowed, because it meant transferring protection to a stranger. The highest expression of a guy's feelings was a gift in the form of a rich string of corals, and if the girl accepted it, it meant her consent to marriage.
Wreath (wreath)
It was a symbol of girlish beauty and a sign of a girl ready to go to the wedding (marriage). The wreath was woven from 12 flowers, each of which had its own symbolic meaning, and decorated with ribbons (there were rules for which ribbon to tie). A periwinkle wreath was also an attribute of the bride's attire. A wreath woven from ears of corn symbolized the end of the harvest. In Transcarpathia, wreaths of flowers were decorated with the horns of cows (so that witches would not steal the milk). There was also a special ritual for parents who gave away the youngest (last) child: on the third day of the wedding, special wreaths were woven for them, a loaf was baked, and gifts were given to the parents. The wreaths from this ritual were kept in the closet as long as the father or mother lived in the family.
Wedding ring
It served as a symbol of the voluntary union of the couple. There should be no patterns or bumps on the wedding ring - then the married life would be so smooth and would end only with the death of one of the spouses. If a girl wanted to get married soon, then at the wedding, where she was a guest, she had to touch the wedding ring of the bride or groom and then her wedding would be just around the corner. The wedding ring was endowed with the power to cure illnesses (the sick person was supposed to wash himself with water infused on the wedding ring).
Repentance
It was a special and very important place in the house. The first baptism of a child was performed on the pokutyu, dear guests and the newlyweds were seated during the wedding, and a coffin with the body of the deceased was placed near the pokutyu. The pokutyu kept the harvest wreath and the harvest sheaf, branches of consecrated willow and kechal potion, and ritual candles. Before Christmas, New Year, and Epiphany, a kutyu for ancestors was placed on the pokutyu. Each guest who entered the house bowed to the pokutyu, paying tribute to the house and the red corner. They swore an oath on the pokutyu, confirming the inviolability of the vow. It was considered a sign of deep disrespect to sit with your back to the pokutyu.
Oven
The stove was an integral attribute of the Ukrainian home. It played an important role not only in the household, but also served as a talisman for the family, a family hearth. Children were dried near a burning stove after their first baptism (this was how the connection between the baby and the family was established), girls were told fortunes about marriage near it, and a girl had to pick it during a matchmaking session. The stove was carefully monitored, regularly oiled and whitewashed. In many regions, the stove was decorated with patterns that served as an additional element of home protection.
Table and bench
They were considered the master and mistress of the house. When a family moved to another house, they would definitely take the table from the old house, since it was a symbol of the family, with which many rituals and ceremonies were associated. There was an unbreakable ritual of sitting at the table: the master or the oldest member of the family would sit down first, followed by other relatives, the last to sit at the table were the mistress and the eldest girl in the family, who would bring dishes to the table. When guests and distinguished guests came to the house, they were seated at the head of the table. The table was covered with a tablecloth (a bare table was considered a bad sign). People did not sit at the table wearing hats or undressed (with their hair untied). The bench testified to the mistress, her cleanliness and hard work. It was covered with cloths woven by the mistress. Guests were seated on the bench before being invited to the table, and a person to whom they wanted to show special respect was also placed on the bench. During the Christmas holiday cycle, a hay hut was set up on the bench, near which they placed kutia and Didukh, which were a tribute to the family's memory.
Chest
The chest, or rather its contents, was the girl's pride, a testament to her hard work. As soon as the daughter grew up in the family, a chest was ordered for her, which the girl had to fill with linen, shirts and other elements of clothing and everyday life. After the wedding, the girl kept her maiden clothes, jewelry and crown in it. The outside of the chest was decorated with carvings and paintings. Before major holidays, the chest was sorted out, new fragrant herbs were placed in it. In some regions, the chest was passed down as an inheritance as a testament to family memory and a pledge of the inheritance of generations.
Cradle
It was an important and desirable element of family life. Cradles were made of maple, ash, and walnut. The master cradle maker had to be happily married and have children. Every detail of the cradle was filled with special protective power. The cradle was hung in a barn, a healing potion was placed in it, and a doll-motanka, which was supposed to protect the child from evil, was passed down as an “inheritance” from one child to another. When the couple could no longer have children, the cradle was taken to the attic and stored there. Destroying or burning the cradle was considered a sin.
Grandfather
This is a harvest or harvest sheaf of rye bunches, which is placed on Christmas for penance. It is believed that the souls of ancestors reside in it. The Spirit-Grandfather promotes a good harvest and the well-being of the family. Grandfather was also placed during the baptism of a child, at a wedding, since he was a symbol of the family and seemed to welcome new family members, connecting them with family traditions and family memory.
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