Beauty of Ukrainian vyshyvanka (embroidered shirt)
In English translations of Ukrainian texts, the word "vyshyvanka" is a loanword.
Same way as kilt speaks about its Scottish origin, or moccasins attribute to Native American heritage,
vyshyvanka proudly defines Ukrainian people.
The embroidery is a fundamental element of the Ukrainian folk costume in both sexes.
Ukrainian vyshyvanka is distinguished by local embroidery features specific to Ukrainian embroidery:
The vyshyvanka not only speaks of its Ukrainian origin but also of the particular region in which it was made.
The knowing eye could detect where a person hailed from by the clothes on their back.
Embroidery is thus an important craft within Ukraine and different techniques exist to suit local styles with their own particular
patterns and colours.
Traditionally, the thread was coloured according to local formulas using bark, leaves, flowers, berries and so on.
In this way, the local environment is literally reflected in the colour of the embroidery.
In Ukrainian embroidery, black, red, and white colours are basic, and yellow, blue, and green are supplementary.
On the territory of Ukraine, embroidery existed already in the 5th century B.C, and was a creation of Scythian fine art.
Ukraine is famous throughout the world for its highly artistic embroidery.
It is important for the embroiderer today to use folk art as a source without altering stitches or colours because every change devalues a
piece of embroidery and distorts it.
Vyshyvanka is used as a talisman to protect the person wearing it and to tell a story.
A geometric pattern woven in the past by adding red or black threads into the light thread was later
imitated by embroidery, and believed to have the power to protect a person from all harm.
There is a saying in Ukrainian "Народився у вишиванці" which is translated as somebody was born wearing vyshyvanka.
It is used to emphasize someone's luck and ability to survive in any situation.
