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

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

General information about ornaments

Ornament - a set of patterns and symbols on a particular subject. When applied, the artists certainly agree on the purpose of the subject and the drawing itself in order to achieve a positive impression of the viewer. The form of the ancient Russian ornament or any other pattern can be geometric, plant, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic.

In ancient times, people believed that certain patterns and patterns in ornamentation could attract prosperity to their house, good health, help improve personal life and bring mutual understanding to the family. Many people still believe this. It is also believed that the ornament can show the state of mind of the artist at the time of creation of the pattern. Surprisingly, the Old Russian ornament was applied not only to household items and clothes, but also to the body. Such a picture was an amulet. Ornament stopped applying on the body, after the adoption of Christianity in Russia.

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

Old Russian magical drawings

Ancient 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 invested in it. It is worth noting that the ancient Russian patterns were borrowed from Byzantium and the Caucasus. Over time, they have evolved and become unique. Today, the ancient Russian ornament - these are unique patterns that are included in the heritage of world art. Most often it was used as a guard against evil spirits, spoiling and 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 characters in the ornament is still unknown.

Byzantine ornament. general information

Byzantine, Georgian and Old Russian ornaments are considered the most refined and interesting. They are an important component in the development of world art. Byzantine ornaments include the Hellenistic and Oriental traditions. They consist of a variety of motives. Typical of the Byzantine ornament is a large number of patterns of a bizarre shape. They have a bright and rich color, which has survived to our days.

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

Vegetative motifs in Byzantine ornamentation were rarely used and did not differ in complexity. Some elements did not carry a certain subconscious. Surprisingly, in paint for painting Byzantines added copper, gold, mercury. Due to this, they could get the most diverse and rich colors that have been preserved for many years.

Georgian ornaments. Popularity in our days

Georgian ornaments differ little from Byzantine or Old Russian. 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 in Georgia national costumes with ornaments are becoming unusually popular again. They are often created by designers. Today, a special girl has a special popularity with Georgia, which creates incredibly beautiful national headdresses - Kabalakhi. If earlier they were worn only by men, now they are often used among the female population.

Embroidered ornament

For sure, each of us saw an ancient Russian ornament. The value of the dome, which occurs on the clothing of past centuries, symbolizes a long or endless life. Under it also can be located mermaids. According to the beliefs, such embroidered pattern favorably influences 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 a particular sign.

The most common ancient Russian embroidered ornament is Orepei. It is a comb-shaped rhombus, which is the symbol of the sown land. Depending on the location on the clothing can 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 ornaments

Almost everyone is struck by its beauty and mystery ancient Russian ornament. The photos, which 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 old enough. It symbolizes the development of the world and its evolution. This is not accidental, because in our life spiral forms are often found. These can include a whirlpool, a tornado, DNA and much more. It should be noted that this sign has been used since the Paleolithic era. Most often, such an ancient Russian ornament was applied to the ornaments.

Spiral marks are often used in embroidery. In Novgorod, women thus decorated their hats.

Cross

The cross is one of the most ancient signs. It symbolizes two opposites - the feminine and the 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 the circle is a symbol of life. He also demonstrates the movement of the sun through the heavenly space. It began to be depicted in the Upper Paleolithic. Especially popular in the Neolithic and Bronze Age.

It is worth noting that the cross appeared long before Christianity. He imitated a weapon for the extraction of fire. Over time, he became a symbol of the heavenly body - the sun. It is also seen as a sign of immortality. Among the Gentiles, the cross was a kind of amulet that protected its owner from all four sides. He was put on ornaments, clothes and painted over the entrance to the house.

Swastika

The swastika was used absolutely in all corners of our land. She was drawn on arms, household objects and clothes. In ancient Russian ornaments, the swastika occurs unusually often. It includes almost all the motives. It symbolizes the movement of life, happiness, prosperity, prosperity and luck. In addition, it is regarded as a sign of the entire galaxy.

It is worth noting that the swastika is divided into two subspecies - left-sided and right-sided. In different countries, this plays an important role in the interpretation of its meaning. For example, in China, clockwise rotation symbolizes male energy, and against it - female energy. In the ancient Russian ornament the swastika was used as a charm. 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 the ideology of Nazism. It is worth noting that because of this in some countries, this sign is prohibited.

Meander

Old Russian ornaments and patterns can often include a meander. Such a symbol is known from the Neolithic period. 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 it is often included in the swastika.

Meander was embroidered on the hem of his clothes and used it in mosaics and frescoes. He is an important symbol in the development of geometric ornament. In ancient Greece, he symbolized infinity. Most often such a symbol is found in India. This pattern was often included in the Old Russian ornament vector.

Griffins in the Byzantine ornament

In Byzantium, objects were often depicted in griffins. This is a mythological creature that has wings, a lion's body and an eagle's head. In Byzantine culture, they appeared due to the influence of Eastern culture. As a rule, it was depicted on saucers, silver cups, frescoes, mosaics and silk fabrics. He symbolizes protection for man 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 was a vigilant guard. It is for this reason that he was often portrayed in armor, on the walls of houses and kitchen utensils.

Summing up

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