The Secret Symbols of
Bulgarian Shevitsa
The traditional Bulgarian Shevitsa is a wonderful art that goes back to ancient times, and it was a way to show information about the person who wore the designs, fundamentally their marital status, their social class and their place of origin
Discover shevitsa - history, symbolism and meaning
Shevitsa is the genereal name, given for the symbols embroidered on Bulgarian folklore clothes. It is considered as art and carries the idea of helath, welfare and love. Shevitsa is a reaction of the daily round as culture and way of life of bulgarian from the past. It describes the charmony in the world and human behaviour. Discover shevitsa with its history, symbolism and meaning.
What is the history of shevitsa?
Shevitsa is part of bulgarian folklore creation from ancient years, which even influence other populations. There are similiarities in the traditions with cultures from Tibet, China, Mongolia, Middle Asia and many others. From the past people used shevitsa not only for decoration, but to describe the bond between the human with their family and surrounding nature as well. The ancient tribes slavs and proto- Bulgarians developed a rich variety of shevitsa and when they united, interweaving has been seen.
Another interesting information is that only girls can embroider shevitsa on clotes until they marry. After this, they are allowed to do it again when their daughter reaches 12 years. The young lady also has to learn how to embroider, since shevitsa has been a high state of art.
What does shevitsa symbolize?
You can find shevitsa at the end of the sleves or dress, around the neck, on the head’s ornaments or waist band called “poyas”. On this way they have the power to protect the person from evil magic and spirits. The clothes have been actually the second layer of skin.
Red: mother’s blood and new life; against curses. In the past braids have been wearing red veil and the newborns- red diapers. During Easter Bulgarians colour eggs and first one is always red.
Green: eternal life. The green color is also connected with the symbol of Life’s tree, which symbolyze the universe.
Yellow: sun, fire and light. Sometimes it can be used also for association with the other world and more specifically people who already died and their future was well-known.
White: purity, inviolability and the light of God. In the past the bride has been wearing white clothes which is still the case nowadays.
Shevitsa also reveals the origin and social statute of this person. In different regions it is in different variations- colours, shapes and sizes.
Discover shevitsa by its meaning:
These are only part of the types of shevitsa you can see. If you are more curious, discover shevitsa by yourself, look for interesting fact, symbol or meaning.
Life’s tree
The crown of the tree describes the Heaven, the stem- the Earth and the roots- the other world. The story tells that the Slavic God of sun went down through the branches of the tree in order to light up the human population and set a new beginning.
Mother of God
Illustrates how the mother gives birth. There are big variations of this one, but it always means the same thing- the fertility of a woman and the fact she continues the family.
Swastika
Cult of the sun and fire. Decoration on ceramic pottery dated 6,000 BCE consists of this symbol. It interprets the meaning for luck, welfare, women’s fertility, love, and happiness.
Kanatitsa
Family. It gives power, harmony, and balance to the family. Nowadays this type of shevitsa can be found also on jewelry like necklaces, rings, and bracelets.