Someone might think that an ethnic ornament is just a set of arbitrary geometric shapes connected together by the will of the author’s imagination. But this is not at all true. In reality, the elements of the ornament are nothing more than ancient writings that carry a certain meaning and are inextricably linked with ancient mythology and the general culture of the people. The Buryat ornaments, which will be discussed in this article, are no exception. You will learn about the main symbols, as well as the color scheme of the picture and the areas of its application.
Sources of ideas for ornaments
Buryat ornaments and patterns have their own expressive features and reflect the beliefs of this people, its lifestyle and even the features of the natural environment in which many generations of people lived. For example, elements symbolizing natural phenomena (rain, thunderstorm, wind, sun, moon, stars, rainbow) and animal deities from Buryat mythology are very popular.
There are also motives that arose before the spread of Buddhism. The most ancient elements of the ornament were geometric shapes: straight lines, zigzags, spirals, curls, crosshairs, circles, rhombs.
The meanings expressed by Buryat ornaments were often associated with fertility: circles denoted the sun, moon and stars, waves and zigzags - sky, air, clouds and wind. Nature itself, in harmony with which the ancient Buryats lived, provided food for creating peculiar folk ornaments.
What is decorated with patterns
Techniques and components of the ornament are passed down from generation to generation. Key features are the simplicity and clarity of lines, the intricacy and originality of the composition, as well as the combination of the pattern with the shape of the object on which it is applied. Ornaments are decorated with religious paraphernalia, talismans, clothes and shoes, horse harness, belts, arrow caps, furniture, dishes and other household items. Painted on various surfaces: wood, fabric, non-ferrous and ferrous metals.
The Buryat ornament is very common on clothes: high fur boots, stockings, sleeves of traditional dressing gowns, and also on various headdresses. Drawings were often applied not only for beauty, but primarily for protection against evil forces. It is curious that women craftswomen have always been engaged in sewing and decorating clothes, and the manufacture and application of patterns on hats was considered the privilege of men.
The main Buryat ornaments and their meaning
Researchers divide the varieties of the pattern into several groups. The most numerous of them are natural and geometric. In addition, there are so-called cult ornaments that use the symbols of Tibetan Buddhism. As a rule, temples and objects used in worship are decorated with such a pattern.
Natural ornaments
The natural ones include drawings symbolizing plants and animals: curls, horns, tortoise shells. One of the popular motifs is the “ram’s horn,” which means the wealth of the people who have been engaged in cattle breeding since ancient times.
Often 12 animals are depicted from the eastern calendar, which is used as a wish for health and longevity. Stylized images of a dragon, an elephant, a lion, a turtle are popular.
One of the most common elements, which include Buryat ornaments, is the lotus flower as the most important symbol of Buddhist culture. Also often found patterns of "butterfly" (about 30 varieties of images), "bird" and "Christmas tree".
Also, natural ornaments include stylized images of natural phenomena (fire, rain, wind) and space objects (sun, earth, stars).
Geometric ornaments
The so-called hammer (alkhan khee) patterns resemble the classical ancient Greek meander ornament. Such a pattern was applied to cult objects and especially important things, its meaning is the eternal movement of the world.
Other popular Buryat ornaments are a woven knot (ulsy), which is a symbol of longevity, happiness and prosperity. This symbol has many variations and can be applied to any item. Thus, the master expresses his good wishes.
Another common ancient pattern is the swastika (Has). It is associated with the winter and summer solstices, the four cardinal points or four elements, as well as the movement of the Sun around the Earth. Like ulza, it is a Buddhist symbol. The swastika, directed in the direction of the movement of the Sun, was considered a talisman and concentration of good energy.
Of particular importance is the Buryat ornaments expressed by the most important element - the circle (arc hee), representing the disk of the Sun, as well as movement and infinity. He was often depicted on weapons, talismans, and family, patrimonial seals.
Color symbolism
Buryat ornaments, patterns and symbols were invariably used in combination with certain colors, which also had their meaning. The most important was considered sky blue and blue, associated with divine power, as well as meaning constancy and fidelity. White - holiness, purity and happiness. Red - fire, light, warmth, healing, beauty, joy, and at the same time - struggle, strength, aggression. Orange - dawn, rebirth, a symbol of sunrise. Green - nature, fertility, renewal, growth, selflessness. Yellow (gold) - the sun, greatness, strength, eternity. Black is the most sad and unfortunate color with which unhappiness, illness, death, danger, evil are associated. Most often, decorative and applied works of Buryat masters use combinations of red and yellow, blue and white, green and orange.
Buryat national ornaments and patterns attract the eye with its bright, unusual appearance, as well as ancient history and deep symbolism.