White Sea patterns are the collective name for patterned embroideries and murals of the northern nationalities of the Arkhangelsk region.
The White Sea itself was founded from the reorganized village of Soroka with the accession of other villages and villages near the White Sea. The land there is severe, historical, with its own traditions, rock paintings - petroglyphs and patterns full of hot red, which is so lacking in these cold places.
From birth beyond oblivion
In 1968, an experimental craft enterprise of Pomorie under the general name "White Sea Patterns" was created in these places. Since then, folk craftsmen from all over the region have been successfully working on their products in Arkhangelsk. Here wooden dishes are born (fermenters, ladles, scoops of various sizes), hand-woven or hand-knitted household items, painted bowls and boxes, Kargopol clay toys. And, of course, products embroidered in the style of the White Sea patterns, such as the path to the dining table.
Plots of patterns of the North for the soul and more
According to tradition, horses and birds remain the obligatory and most beloved objects of White Sea embroidery.
The image of a horse means sunrise. If a duck is found in the pattern, it symbolizes a harmonious universe and an established order, since, according to legend, it takes the sun to the underwater world before dawn, guarding it from misfortunes there. Sometimes it seems that Pomeranian petroglyphs (carved or painted drawings on stone) came to life and moved to dishes, clothes and household items.
Speaking of the White Sea patterns, one cannot but recall the tradition of using large and roomy dishes in everyday life. It was intended for public use during the holidays - so that everyone would have enough - and was made of wood, which was decorated with a pattern. Brothers with ladles were filled with kvass or braga, the family drew a drink from the common brother with smaller ladles - and there was no end to the fun.
There are eleven paintings in total. Here are some of those used to create White Sea patterns:
- olonetskaya;
- Shenkur;
- Rakulskaya;
- Boretskaya;
- Mezenskaya and others.
Mezen painting is applied to a wooden product using special spatulas (vice) or soft brushes. The top is covered with linseed oil, after which it lights up with a golden hue - “comes to life”
Typically, patterns and murals are full of characters. And their riddles come from the ancient letter of Pomors, which described the surrounding world and the elements of nature. Signs of ornaments and patterns of White Sea paintings carry a certain meaning.
Traditions of antiquity deep
Today, most of the White Sea patterns in Arkhangelsk are created using the traditions and techniques of ancient Mezen masters, which, as a rule, consist of geometric figures in black and red tones on a white background with a splash of green.
The origins of the Mezen drawing or how to read signs
The drawing is based on ancient myths and the perception of the world by the northern peoples.
The frequent use of multi-tiered refers to shamanistic, witchcraft traditions and means three worlds - heavenly, terrestrial and underground.
In the Mezen painting traditionally the middle tier is filled with deer or horses, in the upper - birds. Sometimes in patterns there are strings of black or red horses with solar signs around. This may mean their unearthly existence.
Typically, tiers are graphically separated by stripes that are filled with a repeating motif. To read the motive, you need to consider its location, because the same straight line can mean heaven, and maybe the earth, depending on where the sign is: at the bottom or top of the composition.
Earth as a symbol of protection, fertility, bread is often depicted as a square.
Belomorskie patterns today
Pomeranian women know and keep many secrets about patterns and paintings. For example, they have a special technique of drawing a bird with one stroke. This is a symbolic "seaside dove" or, as it is called here, a "bird of happiness."
Every local woman knows: in order to be cured in case of illness, embroidery must be done in a special way - with the image of the diseased part of the body or your image, placing certain symbols next to it.
Charms for a long and prosperous life are also known, which can be embroidered according to the pattern with a cross using red threads.
Pomors believed in the power of hand embroidery, so they often resorted to the image of special characters. On the toys were drawn patterns that protect children. Men's shirt embroidered on strength, health and good luck.
Women and girls of the northern peoples have long been fond of decorating their clothes. But especially festive things were embroidered. At least one, but had to be in the chest of each. This is gold embroidery supplemented with natural pearl inserts.
All the stories and traditions of Pomors, expressed in patterns and finishes of household items, historical and the best of modern, are kept in the museum of the Belomorskie Uzory enterprise.
The museum is located at: Arkhangelsk, st. Shubina, 3.
You can visit it during the tour to see for yourself the technique of making wood products, fabrics, embroidered and decorated.
Special expositions of ancient household items made of stone, clay, wood, fabrics are created here. Having visited the museum, you can only regret that the days have passed when any house was decorated with exquisite paintings and embroidery. After all, they shone from red and white and interspersed with black caskets, chests, boxes, bowls ...