Byzantine, Georgian and Old Russian ornaments and their meanings. Old Russian ornament, photo

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Old Russian ornament is one of the most interesting phenomena in world artistic culture. Throughout time, it has been modified and supplemented. Despite this, the Russian ornament of any age is considered one of the most interesting. In our article you can find more detailed information not only about Old Russian clipart, but also about ornaments of other peoples.

General information about ornaments

Ornament is a set of patterns and symbols on a particular object. When applying it, the artists will certainly agree on the purpose of the subject and the drawing itself in order to achieve a positive impression from the viewer. The type of ancient Russian ornament or any other pattern can be geometric, floral, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic.

In ancient times, people believed that certain patterns and drawings in the ornament could bring we alth, good he alth to their home, help improve personal life and bring mutual understanding to the family. Many todaybelieve in it. It is also believed that the ornament can show the state of mind of the artist at the time of the creation of the pattern. Surprisingly, the ancient Russian ornament was applied not only to household items and clothes, but also to the body. Such a picture was a talisman. The ornament was no longer applied to the body after the adoption of Christianity in Russia.

It is believed that the history of the ornament begins with the Paleolithic era. Ancient patterns allow us to figure out how our ancestors lived. Nowadays, there are also people who believe in the magical properties of drawings.

Old Russian magic drawings

Old Russian ornament is considered one of the best. This is not accidental, because it amazes contemporaries with its beauty, uniqueness and some magical power that our ancestors put into it. It is worth noting that ancient Russian patterns were borrowed from Byzantium and the Caucasus. Over time, they have changed and become unique. Today, the ancient Russian ornament is unique patterns that have become part of the heritage of world art. Most often it was used as a talisman against evil spirits, damage and the evil eye. Magic drawings were applied to dishes, books, household items, clothes and walls of the house. It is worth noting that the meaning of some symbols in the ornament is still unknown.

Byzantine ornament. General information

Byzantine, Georgian and Old Russian ornaments are considered the most sophisticated and interesting. They are an important component in the development of world art. Byzantine ornaments include Hellenistic and Oriental traditions. They arecomposed of a wide variety of motifs. Characteristic of the Byzantine ornament is a large number of bizarre patterns. They have a bright and rich color that has survived to this day.

Thanks to Arabic and Persian art, mythological heroes such as griffins, dragons and others appeared in Byzantine ornaments. It is also worth noting that not only fantastic, but also real animals and birds were often used in the drawings. As a rule, in ornaments they are located inside a circle or any other geometric figure.

Vegetal motifs in the Byzantine ornament were rarely used and did not differ in complexity. Some elements did not carry a specific sub-meaning. Surprisingly, the Byzantines added copper, gold, and mercury to the paint for painting. Thanks to this, they could get the most diverse and rich shades that last for many years.

Georgian ornaments. Popularity these days

Georgian ornaments are not much different from Byzantine or Old Russian ones. As a rule, they are dominated by geometric motifs. All patterns and drawings have an unusually rich color. Most often, Georgian ornaments consist of crosses and curved lines.

Today, national costumes with ornaments are once again becoming extremely popular in Georgia. They are often created by designers. Nowadays, a girl from Georgia is especially popular, who creates incredibly beautiful nationalheaddresses - bondage. If earlier they were worn only by men, now they are often used among the female population.

Embroidered ornament

Surely each of us has seen the old Russian ornament. The meaning of the dome, which is found on the clothes of past centuries, symbolizes a long or endless life. Mermaids can also be located under it. According to legend, such an embroidered pattern has a positive effect on the future harvest.

It is believed that almost all embroidered ornaments are dominated by the theme of the fertility of the earth. For example, a rhombus is a symbol of the feminine. It is considered a kind of amulet of fertility and childbearing. A rhombus with hooks, embroidered on the edges of a baby diaper, symbolizes the birth of life. It is important to know that only in the complex of all the symbols located on the subject, you can find out the meaning of one or another sign.

The most common old Russian embroidered ornament is Orepei. This is a comb diamond, which is a symbol of the sown land. Depending on the location on the clothes, it may have other meanings. For example, if such a sign is embroidered on the hem, then it symbolizes the entrance to the other world.

Spiral in ancient Russian ornaments

An ancient Russian ornament strikes almost everyone with its beauty and mystery. The photos that are located in our article will allow you to evaluate its uniqueness yourself.

Often in ancient Russian ornaments you can find a spiral. This sign is not only common, but also quite ancient. It symbolizesdevelopment of the world and its evolution. This is not accidental, because spiral forms are quite common in our life. These include whirlpool, tornado, DNA and much more. It is worth noting that this sign has been used since the Paleolithic era. Most often, such an old Russian ornament was applied to jewelry.

Spiral signs were often used in embroidery. In Novgorod, women decorated their headdresses in this way.

Cross

The cross is one of the most ancient signs. It symbolizes two opposites - feminine and masculine. This sign is found in almost all cultures. Depending on the image, the symbol can be interpreted in completely different ways.

The cross in a circle is a symbol of life. It also shows the movement of the sun across the sky. He began to be depicted during the Upper Paleolithic. It gained particular popularity in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.

It is worth noting that the cross appeared long before Christianity. He imitated a tool for making fire. Over time, he became a symbol of the heavenly body - the sun. It is also regarded as a sign of immortality. Among the pagans, the cross was a kind of amulet that protected its owner from all four sides. It was applied to jewelry, clothes and painted over the entrance to the house.

Swastika

The swastika was used absolutely in all corners of our earth. She was painted on weapons, household items and clothing. In ancient Russian ornaments, the swastika is found unusually often. It includes almost everythingmotives. It symbolizes the movement of life, happiness, prosperity, prosperity and good luck. In addition, it is considered as a sign of the entire galaxy.

It is worth noting that the swastika is divided into two subspecies - left-handed and right-handed. In different countries, this plays an important role in interpreting its meaning. For example, in China, clockwise rotation symbolizes male energy, and against it - female. In the ancient Russian ornament, the swastika was used as a talisman. She was embroidered on clothes and painted on the walls of the house.

Unfortunately, from the last century until today, the swastika is most often associated with Adolf Hitler and Nazi ideology. It is worth noting that because of this, this sign is prohibited in some countries.

Meander

Old Russian ornaments and patterns can often include a meander. Such a symbol has been known since the Neolithic era. As a rule, it is used as a border on an object or fabric. It is quite easy to distinguish it from other symbols and patterns. The meander consists of right angles that create a continuous line. It is worth noting that the swastika is often included in it.

The meander was embroidered on the hem of clothes and used in mosaics and frescoes. It is an important symbol in the development of geometric ornamentation. In ancient Greece, it symbolized infinity. Most often, such a symbol is found in India. Such a pattern was often included in the ancient Russian vector ornament.

Gryphons in Byzantineornament

In Byzantium, griffins were often depicted on objects. This is a mythological creature that has wings, the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. In Byzantine culture, they appeared as a result of the influence of Eastern culture. As a rule, he was depicted on saucers, silver cups, frescoes, mosaics and silk fabrics. It symbolizes the patronage of a person and is a kind of amulet. It is worth noting that in the Christian iconography of the West, the griffin is the embodiment of Satan.

The population of Byzantium believed that the griffin is a vigilant guardian. It is for this reason that he was often depicted on armor, on the walls of houses and kitchen utensils.

Summing up

Ornaments were present in the culture of all nations. Our ancestors believed that such drawings had magical properties. In their opinion, various patterns could bring prosperity, mutual understanding or the fertility of the earth to the house. Some people still think so today. Absolutely everyone is fascinated by their beauty Georgian, Byzantine, as well as ancient Russian ornaments and patterns. The meanings of the symbols that are located in our article will allow you to find out which drawings our ancestors considered magical.