Russian dolls-amulets were used by our ancestors not only for games or interior decoration, they were considered powerful helpers in all areas of activity. They were created to take care of life, to improve personal and social life. The Slavs made such dolls before important holidays, for example, on the day of Ivan Kupal or for seeing off Maslenitsa. They were also a valuable gift for a wedding or the birth of a child. Charm dolls accompanied our ancestors all their lives, from the cradle to the deathbed.
The meaning of amulets
The ancient Slavs did not have everything that fills our lives now. They could not watch TV or go online, call someone and ask how they were doing. They lived according to natural laws, obeying the cyclical flow.
Agriculture played an important role in their lives, therefore, the climatic conditions were also important for them. Seeing off the winter, the time of sowing the fields, gathering a new crop - for all these vital stages for our ancestors, special ceremonial dolls were created. Each had its own purpose, its own meaning. Some dolls were burnt, hoping to cleanse themselves, others were filled with cereals and displayed in a prominent place in the hut to bring wealth and abundance.
Why amulets do not have faces
Each such traditional chrysalis was faceless. Usually needlewomen made a face simply out of a white rag. So they sought to leave the object inanimate, so that unkind forces could not enter it. The main purpose of such a talisman is to bring health, prosperity and joy to its owner.
Charm dolls were a real miracle: without arms and legs, without a marked face, created from just a few rags, they were still alive. Each doll had its own character, it was diverse, could cry and laugh.
The ancient amulet doll was to become the protector of its master, save him from misfortunes and evil forces, protect him from illnesses. The needlewomen made them without the use of needles and scissors. It was impossible to cut pieces of fabric, it was only allowed to tear them. From this, another name for the dolls is "rvanka".
Wedding
At all times, the wedding was a bright event that was remembered for a lifetime. The energy of love of young people was fascinating and inspiring. Our ancestors respected wedding ceremonies. They had their own elements of jewelry, charms and traditions. The Slavs made many dolls for this day. All of them had their own significance and were made exclusively for the well-being of the future family.
The mother of the bride sewed a special doll - "Maternal blessing." It was important to make this amulet secretly from the young. When the wedding ceremony was going on, the parent took out a large doll made, to the hem of which two more small dolls were sewn: male and female figures. These two dolls came off the large and passed on to a young family. The newlyweds had to keep a gift so that their family had prosperity and childbearing. A large doll remained in the parental home; it helped the mother survive the separation from her daughter.
Sometimes an ash doll was handed over to a young family. She was considered a symbol of the family, multiplied and protected the offspring.
Slavs cared about the well-being of the future family. When the wedding train departed from the bride’s house to the groom’s house, where the young ones were supposed to live, two dolls were hung under the arm of a horse harness. These were the fake bride and groom, which angry people looked at first. Thus, unkind looks did not concern the young.
Even now, at the head of the wedding procession is a car decorated with ribbons and garlands, on the hood of which a doll sits. An echo of ancient customs, she protects the new family from evil views.
Lovebirds
The most important doll for the wedding was another, double doll. It was believed that the “Lovebirds” dolls presented to the newlyweds would bring young family happiness. They symbolized united in a single whole masculine and feminine. For our ancestors, such a doll was custom-made by bridesmaids.
They used white, red and other bright flaps of fabric, scraps of multi-colored threads. At the heart of the doll was either a thin sliver or a splinter. Typically, the stick was no more than 1.5 cm wide and 25-30 cm long. Any tree other than aspen and alder was suitable. Our ancestors believed that these trees are associated with evil spirits, so we tried to stay away from them.
Value
“Lovebirds” - a doll-amulet, symbolizing a strong union of young people. The dolls have one hand, which means that the newly-minted husband and wife will go hand in hand all their lives, they will be together in grief and joy. Only this way a strong family will turn out.
This doll has strong power. Made from a single flap of fabric, tied with a single thread, it combines the young into a single whole. While they are together, they are doing well. But if the fateful thread breaks, the doll will fall apart. And there will no longer be a union of two lovers.
Once the doll breaks up, it will be difficult to assemble it again. As a result, there will be a completely different doll. Nodules made to hold the thread will be visible on it.
To have a strong family, you need to protect the doll - the thread that unites the young, makes them family for each other.
How to make a Slavic doll "Lovebirds". Master Class
Even in our time, you can make and give such a doll for a wedding. If you want, try to make it for an existing family. It will bring prosperity, relations between spouses will improve, the energy of love, mutual understanding will reappear. This is a good present.
"Lovebirds" dolls are kept all their life. They are placed in the red corner of the house. With each child appearing in the family, a bell or a thread brush is tied to a doll. They need to be placed between mom and dad, in the middle of the doll.
So, how to make a doll “Lovebirds” with your own hands? The following materials will be required:
- a flap of tissue measuring 20 by 20 cm;
- filler (synthetic winterizer is suitable);
- spool of red thread.
It is important not to use sharp objects. Therefore, no scissors and needles. Everything is done by hand. You can’t cut the fabric for the doll, just gently tear off the desired piece from the canvas. Remember that you cannot cut the thread. During the manufacture of the doll "Lovebirds", it must be continuous.
Bend the flap horizontally. Mentally divide the resulting rectangle into two squares. You can use the iron and iron the bend to make it easier to find the middle.
First doll
Work must begin with the left square. It makes the first doll - female. There is an opinion that such traditions originated in the time of matriarchy. You have the opportunity to do otherwise.
Take a little filler and make a head-knot in the middle of the left square, wrap it with a thread. Make sure there is enough fabric left to make your hand. You can’t break the thread.
At the next stage, you need to form a doll shape. We start with the hand. Thread the fabric from neck to palm, then go back. Determine where the waist should be, and thread the skirt. In the finished doll, the thread is crosswise fixed on the chest. The woman is ready.
Second doll
Thread the common arm of the pupae. The right square of the fabric has remained unused for now. A male doll will be formed from it.
We start with the head. Take about the same amount of filler and form a head-knot, fasten everything with a thread. A start. The thread is crosswise fixed on the chest of a male doll.
The next step is to form his legs. Everything is done using the same thread. When the legs are done, go back up and make a hand to this guy. Wrap the remaining piece of fabric and return to the head.
Before us are almost completed dolls "Lovebirds". The thread must be brought to the middle of the common hand of the figures, then it should be cut off. Be sure to leave a piece of thread long enough to make an eyelet out of it. In the future, such a doll can be suspended. She will guard family happiness.
In addition to the above, there are many other variations of this doll. The main thing is that its creator should put affection, joy, kindness into his creation. Then she will bring happiness.
Finally
“Lovebirds” - a doll-amulet of happiness of young people. She ties them with family ties, leads one way to their common happiness.
Nowadays, tradition is returning. Now many people are devastated by constant loneliness. They are increasingly beginning to cherish the main values. And many love dolls help.
You can make such a gift to any married couple. Present them with a pure heart, wish the husband and wife to always be together. They will appreciate such a gift.