The prayer of the soul: the difference between Motanka from other Ukrainian dolls

Our ancestors believed in the magical power of the impact of various objects. The Ukrainian people invested a special meaning in the motanka doll. She was not just a toy, but was considered a sacred amulet that protected from evil forces, maintained well-being and harmony in the family, and personified the power of unity of family ties. Motanka traditions were passed down from mother to daughter. They have not only survived to this day, but are actively being revived.

The essence of the motanka doll lies in its name. When creating an ancient talisman, only the “winding” technique was used. Separate elements of the doll were connected without the use of seams, but only with the help of knots. That is why such specimens were also called "nodular" dolls. The cruciform appearance is a mandatory characteristic of the motanka. A ball of thread, patches or cotton wool served as the head of the doll.

The materials for the manufacture of motanka had to be natural: pieces of fabric, threads, beads. Sometimes craftswomen wove ears, dried flowers, grains or even corn cobs into products. To direct energy into the positive element, threads were wound in the direction of the sun. The spiral way of winding symbolized infinity. When tying knots, the craftswomen read prayers and made wishes.

Each detail of the motanka was unique and carried its own energy. For example, a long and happy life was personified by the length of the thread. The skirt symbolized the earth, the shirt - the ancestral connection. The beads meant wealth, the braid meant the beauty and spiritual strength of a woman, and the ribbon or scarf showed a connection with the sky.

The motanka differed from other dolls in that there was a ribbon or a cross on its head, the sacred meaning of which each craftswoman interpreted in different ways. Some experts believe that the cross is an image of the sun, symbolizing life. Others suggest that the cross was embroidered so that evil spirits would not get into a person.

But the facelessness of the doll was a prerequisite. According to ancient belief, if a doll is painted with facial features similar to someone else's appearance, then the soul of this person will move into the product.

The motanka carried these sacred meanings through the ages. Having absorbed ancient beliefs, this valuable item can become not only an original souvenir, but also a real family heritage. You can buy a motanka doll on Violity in the "Plangonology" section.

You will learn how to create a unique motanka doll with your own hands from the video on our YouTube channel.