12 Ukraine Symbols

Translated by: Christine Chraibi – How very colorful and varied the vyshyvanka! It can be one color or many-colored, richly or delicately patterned, embroidered with flowers or geometric forms… But, do we actually know what are these intricate patterns adorning our traditional clothing means, how ancient their origins are, what they symbolize and why they are the […]

To access this post, you must purchase Subscription.

Waxing Like the Moon: Women Folk Healers in Rural Western Ukraine

By Sarah D. Phillips, University of Indiana – Once a woman came to see me… she says to me, “I can’t sleep, and I’m so weak.” I asked her, “Did something frighten you?” “No,” she didn’t want to tell me. I began to pour the wax, I said, “Something has frightened you—either a man, or […]

To access this post, you must purchase Subscription.

Ukraine Vinok (вінок) Seasonal Crown Wreaths and their Symbolism

All Slavic traditions and folk traditions include flowers especially during Kupala and Noc Kupala, but Ukraine exceeds them all in the abundant uses of flowers and symbolic flowers. The Ukrainian Wreath Vinok (вінок) is a crown made of wild flowers and herbs which is collected in the traditional ways. There are different types of wreaths: […]

To access this post, you must purchase Subscription.