Wedding rushnik - an integral part of the traditional wedding paraphernalia in the Russian and Ukrainian culture. The concept of “rushnik” came from paganism and rooted in modern rituals. There is nothing destructive in its verbal meaning, on the contrary, “rushiti” - translated from Ukrainian, means to set off. For the newlyweds, this is very symbolic. Together they step from the bench to a new, joint path, hand in hand, with the belief that they will pass it to the end.
The traditional towel, as an object, is a woven rectangular canvas of flax or hemp fabric. The edges of the canvas framed weaving or embroidered patterns and compositions. In ancient times, the bride herself embroidered patterns on the towel for the wedding ceremony. The girl put in embroidery all her hopes and dreams related to marriage. Such products were unique, like every embroiderer, with her worldview and talent.
It was believed that the wedding rushnik, which is embroidered by the bride's hands, is a model of her diligence and diligence, a powerful ward of the union of the newlyweds and a symbol of the longevity of the union.
In Russia, up to 40 towels were used for the marriage ceremony, decorating icons, a wedding "motorcade", and witness outfits. Among them was a special towel that the bride brings to the house of the faithful.
During the modern ceremony in the church, five types of a bench hammer are used: two of them cover the wedding icons of the bride and groom; one is put under the loaf; You also need a small fabric cut with embroidery, tie the hands of the newlyweds and the main wedding towel to be stretched under the feet of the couple during the ceremony.
Earlier, those who were married were supposed to kneel on the towel at the altar. Today, the newlyweds are allowed to step on the accessory in shoes.
How to choose?
According to the embroidered symbolic wedding attribute, it was assumed how the joint future of the newlywed couple will develop. Of course, the choice of such an accessory was taken very seriously and meticulously.
At the wedding ceremony, the bench hammer should be only from a continuous seamless canvas, without laces and decorative inserts. The integrity of the ornament, which is considered a symbol of a long and happy marriage life, without breaks, is important. Durable fabric can be washed after the ritual and stored for use on all anniversaries in perspective.
According to beliefs, it is worth buying or making a wedding rushnik with embroidered geometric figures in an ornament or with a pattern of floral motifs.
The pattern does not necessarily comply with symmetry. Embroidery can be placed both on both sides. The main thing is that the middle was intact. The center of the towel is God's place, where the fabric is always without embroidery, clean from the "thoughts" of embroiderers. This is because those who are crowned become feet in the center of the matter, and, therefore, can tarnish happiness. Not allowed on this accessory and any labels.
No standards are applied to the size of the bench hammer, but it is important to bear in mind that two should freely fit on it - the bride and groom.
According to the tradition, a white rushny cloth or a canvas with a pink tint is chosen for the wedding. These colors personify the purity of thoughts and tender feelings with which the future husband and wife will of God and with his blessing go hand in hand to a new life in a different status.
In the sacred interpretation, the white background of embroidery means the clouds of heaven, to which newlyweds will ascend at the ceremony to conclude an alliance before the face of God.
Embroidery Symbols
It is believed that the design and symbols of the wedding towel is the power that affects the future life of the newlyweds in the same family. The right and left edges of the towel were allowed to decorate with different symbols. For a long time there is a mass of them, and they carry a sacred message to the embroidery of the wedding attribute:
- an asterisk with eight corners - a sign that personifies God and the sun;
- the wavy line is a symbol of eternal life;
- grapes - read spouses wealth and fertility;
- Mallow - chaste girl beauty;
- Kalina - the attractiveness of the bride, a sign of love and youth;
- a pair of doves, spread in beaks to each other - loyalty and sincere love of the young;
- flower buds - to the continuation of the kind.
Traditions and beliefs
The wedding rushnik is surrounded by a halo of traditions, and many beliefs are associated with it.
At the wedding, it is customary to keep an eye out that, besides the young, no one will step on the sacred towel. There is a belief that it will stain the happiness of the newlyweds.
If the newlyweds will tread on the towel with the soles, it is appropriate to have something of plant patterns: viburnum, vine, leaves, but there should not be depicted birds and flowers. Such demands have appeared recently - since the time when the young began to stand on the embroidered fabric with their feet.
There are many rules relating to embroidery on the bench hammer, but the main thing is that you can only embroider until dark, in complete health and wonderful mood.
Negative thoughts and anxieties in this process harm the energy that is embedded in the embroidery of symbols. It is important to ensure that from the inside of the towel was neat, because the family life of the young will be the same!
What is different and where to buy?
If the bride does not have talent for embroidery, and her relatives are far from this art, the purchase of a wedding towel is allowed. At the same time, it is better to choose a handmade product instead of a factory towel.
Hand embroidery will cost more, but the hands of the skilled workers keep “live” energy, which will benefit the marriage union.
Cheap wedding towels in a wide range of offer online stores. These are standard cotton models of machine embroidery with “embossed” lace. The budget product "pulls" only 300 - 1200 rubles.
For the work of private masters (depending on the material, the parameters of the towel, the volume and quality of the work performed) will have to pay at least 500 and more than 3,000 rubles.
Highly artistic copies in pieces, sewn with silk thread, “pulled” in the amount of 5,000 rubles and above.
In wedding salons newlyweds offer different models: without embroidery or with factory embroidery, plain hand embroidery and the perfect exclusive from skilled embroideresses.
What to do with the towel upon completion of the rite?
After the wedding, all attributes, including the towel, are carefully stored in the house of the couple. Someone hangs it on display, as a decoration and memory of a touching event, while others are kept away from prying eyes, believing that the towel should be twisted into a tube to protect the family from the evil eye and the influence of evil forces.
The bench, where the feet of the newlyweds walked under the arches of the church, gains the strength of the family's talisman and turns into a symbol of an unbreakable union.
It is customary to get it and use it on all anniversaries of life together.
For details on how to choose the right towel for your celebration, see the video below.
