Ornament of Ossetic: types and meaning

Ossetian ornaments were created for many centuries. They are considered one of the oldest in the culture of the Caucasus. Ossetian patterns are different, they can not be confused with other types of ornaments. They are traced on almost all household items. These are dishes, clothes, various tools, tombstones and much more.

Where used the Ossetian ornaments and their meaning

As a charm, patterns were applied to weapons, furniture, at the head of the bed or on the cradle of the child, chairs, armchairs and tables. In well-to-do houses, the ornament was even applied to pillars, arches, window frames and gates. At the same time, such inscriptions always carried in themselves a certain cipher or a message.

Ornament of the Ossetian conceals a sacral sign, the meaning of which has been lost in time. Decipher and understand them, modern scientists are trying. However, they do not always succeed in understanding the meaning of these inscriptions. And now, looking at the patterns of Ossetia, we perceive them as simply beautiful things.

From simple to complex

At first the Ossetic ornament was simple and unpretentious. Primitive strokes, circles, spirals of different length and thickness, zigzag lines. But gradually the patterns became more complicated, new elements were added in the form of geometrical images of animals and plants.

Later images began to take the form of geometric patterns, which consisted of a large number of curls, spirals, various rhombuses and lines. The outlines of animals and birds harmoniously fit here. These were peacocks, bull and sheep heads, intertwined with plant patterns.

Embroidered with such patterns are mostly clothes, shoes and hats. Ornamental compositions were made with threads of gold or silver. They were not only an ornament of clothes, but also protective patterns.

Woman - the main expert of magic signs

In all ancient peoples, the woman was considered the keeper of the home and the gracious energy of the house. She worked wool and leather, felled burki, manufactured homespun cloth, sewed fur coats and bashlyks. A woman could sew any clothes for her husband, children, for herself and at the same time tastefully decorate her.

Careful mistress did not forget to put patterns, wards for clothes that were guarded from all her bad household members. Usually, magical Ossetian ornaments and patterns were embroidered in certain places of clothing.

The gates, cuffs of shirt, hem, cuts on shirts or sarafans, all this was covered with ornamental compositions. It was believed that the material remains impenetrable to evil spirits due to weaving magic. And the place where the material ended, and the body began, tried to protect the ornaments of magic.

The women of Ossetia were considered skilled craftsmen and did not know themselves equal in gold embroidery business. They decorated with gold embroidery not only festive clothes, but also small household items. These are pouches, various boxes, cases, purses, bags for needlework and much more.

Wedding wear women

For each thing or place in clothing, a certain ornament was chosen. The clothes for women were dominated by a floral pattern and serpentine. They were used since ancient times, when the main was the Mother Goddess Api. The upper part of the body of the goddess was feminine, and the bottom of the serpentine.

Ornamental patterns of vegetation personified nature, the universe and the whole surrounding world. They were placed on the edges of the dress, where the fabric ends, which also protects the woman. The dress completely covered the body of the bride from extraneous views.

On the edges of the dress embroidered isosceles triangles, the top of which always rests against the angle of the floor. From the triangle, or rather from its base, in the sides, the curves denoting fertility diverge. The rhombic figures on the bridal dress of Ossetians symbolized the earth, plants and the woman at the same time.

The bride's hat is also decorated with a serpentine vegetation, but an animal ornament is added here. Often, the head of a peacock was embroidered on a wedding cap.

The Ossetian wedding dress was also decorated with braid, braid and gold embroidery. True, the ornaments and ornaments were smaller than on the women's dress. The man's wedding attire should be strict in form and color.

Metal

Men were engraving on natural materials and metal. In this case they were real craftsmen. A clever ornaments of Ossetian are recognizable at first sight. Masters used patterns in weapons and forging, jewelry. The carving was decorated with wooden and stone products.

Armory masters decorated with fine carvings daggers, knives and guns. On such products, a vegetable pattern predominated. Often, he imperceptibly intertwined with animal ornamentation, creating whimsical lines and transitions. Such products were in great demand. Ornamental Osetian makes and now objects of use unique and in demand.

On each thing a certain pattern was cut out. On the bowls, goblets and glasses dominated the animal ornament in the form of heads of sheep, bulls. To them was added florid vegetation in the form of curls.

Woodcarving

Furniture and wooden parts of the home were decorated with rhombuses, triangles, squares, straight lines. The arches, pillars and gates cut out combinations of solar and geometric patterns. An ornament was applied on wooden doors, ceiling beams, jambs, cornices. All the inscriptions carried only a magical meaning. They must protect the dwelling from evil spirits who could encroach upon their dwelling.

Wooden containers for dough, bowls and dishes, chairs and chairs - all this was decorated with magical signs. Particular attention was paid to the wooden table for sacrifices. Ornamental patterns were carefully selected, each sign carried a sacral meaning

Stone Patterns

The stone-cutters of the master weaved into their ornaments an unknown cosmogony, which intertwined with the ornamental sign of the deceased. Looking at the tombstone adorned with sacred patterns, the person learned who was buried, his fate, occupation, social status

Stone carving in ancient times was very popular. Battle towers and funerary crypts were decorated with solar crosses, quadrangles, geometric figures. The tombstones are decorated with sacred signs.

Masters and masters of modernity carefully preserve the ancient traditions. Women create beautiful ornaments, embroidering them with threads of gold, silver and silk. Men can forge daggers and knives with vegetable patterns. They know how to create mugs with geometric ornaments and handles in the form of a mutton head.

Currently, not every specialist can decipher Ossetian ornaments and their meaning. That's why they are considered a mystery like code or cipher of ancient people to our generation.