Rushnyky

Rushnyky are ornately embroidered woven textiles that function at the core of many life-cycle ceremonies and rituals of the Ukrainian people. A rushnyk is a long rectangular cloth, typically hand-woven in one solid piece from white linen or hemp, measuring six to eight feet long by one to two feet wide. Often adorned with brightly colored patterns, the symbolic decoration preserves archaic magical signs, symbolic colors and motifs, as well as Slavic artistic folk styles.

Steeped in tradition and faith, the shape of the rushnyk represents life's journey, and the cloths are believed to be a median between the secular and the divine. The process of spinning thread and weaving linen embodies spiritual power reflecting the ancient deity Mokosh, often represented in embroidery. The needle has its own energy (similar to the chi of acupuncture), and the color of the thread has sacred meaning. Red represents life and is the main color used.

Rushnyk have distinctive regional characteristics. For example, in central Ukraine, cloths typically feature the tree of life surrounded by animal, bird, and floral motifs. The tree of life symbol is found in national art where the universe contains three components: the underworld, the earthly world and the heavenly kingdom. The tree depicts roots (the past), the trunk (the present), and the crown (the future). In Ukrainian embroidery the symbol can be recognized not only in the branches (they can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical), but also in wheat stocks, sheafs, twigs or vines. The tree of life holds the truth and unity of the three worlds and reflects the image of life and the family.

There are more intricate compositions where the tree motif is replaced by a female image – a woman with raised arms. This is the Great Goddess or Original Mother, the embodiment of life itself.

Image: Rushnyky cloth on display in The Museum of Russian Icons