Ukrainian folk amulets: symbols that have passed their history through the ages

Since ancient times our ancestors couldn’t imagine their life without a baptized icon and red guelder, vyshyvanka and old horseshoe. These things were not only an integral part of everyday life, but also served as protection against all evils. Ancestors endowed them with the magical qualities and sincerely believed that they are the key to happiness, health and well-being.

What do we know about amulets? Which of them are considered to be holy or domestic? Do they really have magical properties? Three snails team decided to do its own research and would be happy to share the results with you.

ukrainian girls

Holy talismans

Doll Motanka - the most famous Ukrainian guard. It is considered to be a symbol of feminine wisdom and a family mascot. Earlier people created such dolls for children, and later this subject turned into a sacred thing, because women poured in them their love, energy and inspiration.

doll motanka

doll talisman

One of these amulets is didukh - a snapper, made of wheat ears, a identifier of Christmas holidays. According to beliefs, it is a symbol of fertility and family affluence, the connection between ancestors and their descendants and the god of souls who are not alive. It is usually put on the eve of the Holy Supper. It is believed that just in the Christmas evening, the Didukh deterges all souls and puts away all last year's forces so that new ones could come to people in the new year.

The pysanka has always been a denotation of life. Even the process of coloring it is considered to be a ritual. Manufactured Easter eggs are kept at home all year long until the next Easter, and then people painted a new egg, representing changes in human life. An interesting fact is that the image of the pine tree is often used for decoration (grass that binds like a snake).

pysanka

Domestic guards

The Ukrainian family talisman is an embroidered towel (rushnyk). It has been always decorated with a national ornament associated with the cult of the moon, the sun and the stars. Drawings of trees and plants have been also present. It was important to take the towel to the wedding ceremony. With its help the bride and groom are tied up and it lined up the road for them. The towel was considered to be a valuable item, as it was homemade and embroidered by hand.

rushnyk

embroidered towel

There is no person in the world who doesn’t know about the meaning of the cradle for the Ukrainians. The cradle is a symbol of maternal affection, the power of generations and the welfare of the whole family.

the cradle

Plant amulets

Since ancient times, our ancestors have believed that the plants were endowed with miraculous properties and disposed the evil spirits. They meant onions, wormwood, garlic and willow. Birch and guelder had purity and girlish femininity meaning.

Birch was an unusual guard, because it was believed that in each of its branches there lives a deity that provides wealth in the family. Also, sprigs of birch scattered on the roof protected the house from thunder, storm and lightning.

birch

The symbol of maiden beauty in Ukraine is the guelder. It decorated the yard of each house in Ukraine. Whenever you see it, this plant is always full of berries. It is a great decoration for a wedding cake and a wedding towel.

guelder

Oak - strength and power signs. Mothers embroidered leaves of oak for their sons, so that they became stronger and more courageous. According to the beliefs, oak furniture helped to have a healthy sleep.

oak

The most beloved amulet in Ukraine is periwinkle. A flower that is named after two lovers. It is often used by girls for their wreath and decorations of wedding cake. Also, this plant is known for its vitality and endurance, because it becomes green even under the snow.

periwinkle

So now you have become acquainted with the beliefs of our ancestors about the guards. Don’t forget about Ukrainian symbols and traditions and be happy.

March 1, 2018 | View: 8176 | Categories: Culture

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