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Rushnyky
Links
Introduction
Tree-of-life
Motif
Ritual
Uses
Variation
Glossary
Some
Major Categories
"Rushnyk
Maker"
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Ukrainian Traditional Folklore
Rushnyky - Ritual Uses
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Rushnyky are very important
in the wedding and wedding rushnyky are often used as icon
drapery in the room where the new couple will live.
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The wreath is the central
motif of the wedding rushnyk and its identifying feature.
An open wreath is the motif used to decorate the wedding
rushnyk. The open wreath indicates that the couples'
life is ahead of them and that their future is open.
A closed wreath is used
to decorate the funeral rushnyk. The closed wreath indicates
that the life being honored is complete.
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| A rushnyk
used to honor a person who has lived a full and normal life
looks much like other rushnyky, except for the closed wreath.
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| When
a person dies young and thus before he has completed his allotted
time on earth, a special rushnyk needs to be made to help the
soul of the deceased rest in peace. Such rushnyky are most commonly
made for soldiers who were killed in battle and they include
many unusual motifs which are glossed
below. |
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Pairs of birds are also frequently used on
wedding towels. The birds represent the couple. They also
represent movement. Both the young man and the young woman
move from an unmarried state to a married one. The bride also
moves literally, leaving the home in which she grew up and
moving into the home of her husband.
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Some modern innovations include non-traditional
and probably western influenced motifs, such as these two
storks. The towel was probably used in lieu of a kryzhma.
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