Folk ritual dolls increasingly began to attract attention. The “Bereginya” doll at home occupies a special place among them due to its size and purpose. Previously, it was made from unnecessary rags. A modern souvenir includes new fabric on the doll parts. The rags were torn into pieces by hand, without scissors, and tied with strong red thread, which was also torn by hand. Now, of course, such technologies have been abandoned. It was believed that the doll protected the person from whose old clothes it was made. And if you collect things from all over the house, then the whole family will be protected. Therefore, the dolls were made large, solid and heavy. The standard size of the doll's frame is about elbow size (the distance from the elbow to the wrist). The doll was held together with strong red threads. The Slavs considered red a protective color, and simply elegant.
To prepare a Beregini doll with your own hands, prepare:
- rectangle 15x40 cm made of linen on a post;
- rectangle 28x40 cm made of linen or light chintz for wrapping a column;
- a square 23-25x23-25 cm made of linen or light chintz for the head and arms;
- a 15x15 square of bright fabric for a vest;
- 2 rectangles 15x10 cm made of linen or light chintz for the chest and buttocks;
- rectangle 8-10x25-40 cm made of bright fabric for a skirt;
- a rectangle 5x10-14 cm made of bright fabric for an apron;
- ribbon for belt and warrior;
- a triangle with sides 17x17x20 cm made of bright fabric for a scarf, it is better to take knitwear;
- a 10x10 cm square made of bright fabric, maybe knitted with a knot;
- white or red threads for fastening;
- filling made of cotton wool or foam rubber.
The process of making a doll - Beregini's amulet
1. Column. Bereginya is a columnar doll, based on a fabric column. Twist the rectangle and tie it in the middle. If the edges of the roll are uneven, it is better to trim it. The doll should then stand on the post.
2. Wrap the column into a rectangle so that the edges of the column are without cuts. Turning in the last trimmed edge of the rectangle, wrap the resulting column in two places (along the line of the knees and neck).
3. Head. The square is lowered with the center onto the column and wrapped in symmetrical folds from the face and back of the doll. Then it is wrapped with thread along the neck line.
4. Hands. Fold the sleeves inward. Fold the edge of the sleeve inward and form a palm. Twist with thread.
5. Chest and buttocks. Twist 2 rectangles along the wide side. If the fabric is thin, you can put padding inside. One roll is attached at chest level, the second on the buttock line on different sides of the doll. The edges of the rolls are wrapped with thread and pressed.
6. The resulting body shapes are covered with the tips of the square and attached with a thread at the waist.
7. Vest. The square is cut in the center and pulled over the head with the corners over the shoulders. The corners roll up tightly. The sleeves are straightened and tightened with the edges of the vest. The vest is wrapped around the waist.
8. Skirt. Fold the rectangle in half along the long side. Stretch several layers of thread or twine along the fold. Pull.
9. Put it on at the waist, overlapping the edges of the skirt on the back. Wrap the thread tightly around the waist and tie it. Lower the skirt down and straighten it.
10. Apron. Apply a rectangle along the front waist. Above is the larger part, below is the smaller one. Wrap around the waist, lower the apron down.
11. Belt. Wrap a belt around your waist and tie it.
All peoples of the world at all times considered amulets to be an indispensable attribute of the life and everyday life of any person: such magical objects not only protected their owner from any possible negativity, but also attracted prosperity and good luck into his life. In Rus', from time immemorial, the role of such talismans was played by amulets made of fabric, made in the form of various faceless dolls.
Fabric amulets
Every home and every family had a similar craft, often more than one, since such rag dolls existed in various designs and were responsible for various areas of human life. Such amulets were made according to certain rules and exclusively with the hands of members of the family for whom such a magical object was intended.
Application of a rag doll
Amulet dolls, created from bright scraps of various fabrics, could be found in every home in Rus': it was these bright crafts that carried the most powerful magical meaning. In order for the strength and energy of such a doll to reveal itself in the best way and be able to effectively protect all family members from any negativity, as well as ensure prosperity and well-being for the home itself, such amulets were made according to certain rules and from special materials.
The main requirement was to make a doll with your own hands and without the use of various piercing and cutting objects (scissors, needles, etc.).
For this reason, the fabric and threads were wound on a solid base and secured with numerous knots. This is where other names for such amulets come from: motanka dolls or knotted crafts.
Fabric doll amulets
Such rag crafts were not intended for games: very often they were not just kept in the house, but were also used as ritual objects on major national holidays, for example, a Maslenitsa doll, which was kept in the house throughout the year and burned in honor of the arrival of spring in folk holiday Maslenitsa.
The meaning of amulets
Rag dolls very often accompanied a person throughout his life: the very first amulet was created even before the baby was born and then placed in his cradle.
Such a rag doll grew up with the child, accompanying him throughout his life, protecting him from the evil eye and various negativity. Often it changed along with its owner, and often later was inherited by a newborn family member.
Rag amulets
In addition, such rag dolls were created on major national holidays and were used as ritual offerings. Such amulets not only protected the home, but also attracted wealth, prosperity and health to the family.
Basic requirements for the manufacture of reels
In order for the manufactured doll to carry not only aesthetic functions, but also to correctly perform all the magical actions assigned to it, the motanka had to be created strictly observing the basic requirements:
- None of the rag doll amulets had eyes, nose or mouth. It was believed that by depicting facial features, the doll became susceptible to black witchcraft. In addition, the creator of such a doll could unintentionally give him a resemblance to a certain person, thereby entrusting his fate to this craft. To avoid this kind of negativity, the face of any motanka doll remained clean.
- Traditionally, only women were allowed to create dolls from pieces of fabric with their own hands: men were often not even allowed to observe the process of making the amulet.
- Since rag dolls carried a powerful magical charge, their creation with their own hands had to be approached very consciously and carefully. Most often, this process required special preparation from the girl and was carried out at a strictly defined time. The emotional mood of the craftswoman was also important, since the strength of the rag doll depended on this.
- It was not recommended to start making a rag doll with your own hands on major church holidays and on Sundays.
- In the process of creating the amulet, it was forbidden to use any sharp or cutting objects, since by cutting or piercing the fabric, the magical power of the doll was lost.
- Rag dolls owed much of their protective power to the numerous knots that were tied on them. Therefore, there were certain rules here: there had to be an even number of nodes. For each such knot, the craftswoman could read spell words, putting into them wishes for well-being, prosperity and good luck for the family.
- A cross made of small wooden twigs or slivers is used as the basis for the reel. This form of amulet doll carries a sacred meaning, since the cross has long been considered a special magical object.
- The resulting doll should please its owner on an intuitive level. In this case, we can say that the reel has received the correct energy charge and will be able to successfully perform all the functions assigned to it.
Varieties of motanka among the people
The importance of such a knotted pupa is difficult to overestimate: it was trusted to protect and preserve the most valuable. Family, children, health, protection from evil spirits - all the functions of such amulets cannot be listed. For this reason, motanki among the people had many varieties and were made with their own characteristic features.
From the huge number of amulet dolls, the following main types can be distinguished:
Pelenashka
This amulet doll protected newborn babies from the evil eye, since it was precisely these babies who were most susceptible to the evil eye. The Pelenashka performed its functions until the child was baptized, after which it was removed from the baby’s cradle.
If guests came to the house where a small child lived, then Pelenashka was wrapped in the baby’s diaper, thus deceiving evil-minded people and protecting the child from the evil eye.
This is another rag amulet designed to protect the baby from any negativity.
How to make Kuvadka
The expectant mother made such a doll with her own hands long before the baby was born: Kuvadka was intended to warm the baby’s cradle. After his baptism, Kuvadka was placed above the crib and served both as a toy for the baby and protected him from dark forces, so there could be several such dolls, and all of them were made in bright, cheerful colors.
This multi-colored rag doll, always wearing three skirts, was a symbol of good news and good mood. She brought joy to the house, and it was customary to give such amulets to friends and relatives to wish them happiness in life.
A similar doll has another name: Baba Girl. This amulet is considered exclusively feminine, as it reflects the very essence of any girl: each unites two principles - beauty and carefreeness, and thriftiness and sedateness over time.
For this reason, Pinwheel has a unique design: she is always given two heads and two skirts, but each of them is visible only if the doll is turned upside down.
Changeling doll
This amulet doll is also quite unique in its structure: the Herbalist was filled not with the usual materials, but with a mixture of dry medicinal aromatic herbs.
Such a talisman purified the air and successfully drove away evil spirits, so such a doll was placed in the most important and honorable places, for example, above a child’s bed. The herbalist was required to be present in every hut, as she was one of the central figures among the motank amulets.
Such a talisman necessarily accompanied every pair of newlyweds at the wedding ceremony. Lovebirds were made as two separate dolls, personifying the masculine and feminine principles, connected by a common hand.
Such a talisman not only protected the new family from negativity at the wedding itself, but also accompanied them throughout their lives, preserving and increasing their mutual loyalty and respect.
At the wedding ceremony itself, Lovebirds were given a place of honor in the harness of the first three horses of the wedding procession, where they attracted all looks, including unkind ones, thereby protecting the newlyweds.
It was for this purpose that the appropriate outfit for the rag amulet was selected: the brightest scraps were used.
This small amulet, made by hand, was intended as a gift to a person setting off on a long journey. Such a miniature doll held in her hands a small fabric bag filled with a handful of the earth native to man and containing a small grain of wheat.
Such attributes of the amulet allowed the traveler to hope that he would avoid all the troubles of the long journey, that he would successfully return to his native land, and that he would not starve on the road. This fabric doll was created in very small sizes, up to 6 cm, unlike other winding amulets, which made it possible to conveniently place it in the smallest luggage.
This doll served as a man's amulet, personifying strength and endurance. Such a talisman necessarily contained the element of a wheel, which represented the sun. This was done because such a craft was handed over the most valuable thing in the world: the constant movement of the solar disk across the sky.
Spiridon the solstice could bring changes for the better to the life of its owner. A similar doll was also created exclusively by female hands, but as a gift to a man close to her: husband, son, father or brother.
Cleansing pupa
This motanka craft is of an exceptional nature; it is made not as a classic amulet, but as a ritual doll. Such a magical object was subject to destruction by putting it on fire after any negative energy was transferred to it: illness, quarrels or the evil eye.
Often such a doll was created in the form of a small broom, so that the mistress of the house could sweep away all the dirty linen in public, both physical and spiritual. This is exactly how the energy of the home and family as a whole was cleansed.
Broom - cleaning the house
Due to such a variety of hand-made motanka dolls, each house often had several amulets at once to help effectively protect all family members from any possible negativity.
There are many different traditions in Slavic culture. The Slavs were distinguished by their original mythology, unique legends, special amulets and talismans. One of these talismans are protective rag dolls.
These dolls were made by hand. It is interesting that there were separate amulets for different life occasions. Each rag doll had its own name, specific appearance and purpose.
Such amulets were not intended for play, although in appearance they resembled ordinary dolls. The task of such a talisman is to protect the family in which it is located, day and night, like a guard. Some dolls protect against dark forces, others give health, prosperity and happiness.
The importance of dolls in the life of the Slavs is difficult to overestimate. These crafts were passed down from generation to generation, gradually absorbing and accumulating magical power. Initially, each family made such talismans in its own way from threads and fabric, but all Slavic amulets dolls were similar in that the dolls did not have a face and were created according to certain canons.
The tasks of such amulets included the following:
- Help with housework.
- Help in family relationships (attracting a betrothed, successful marriage).
- Protecting your home from dark forces, from the evil eye and damage.
- Happiness, prosperity and well-being in the family.
- Strength for a man and affection for a woman.
- Helping a young woman to have a successful pregnancy.
Kinds
Not many types of dolls have survived to this day. We will focus on those modern problems that a do-it-yourself amulet doll will help you solve. Today, there is more than one project to create such amulets, where both Udmurt and Russian talismans are made - from a herbalist doll to a well-being doll.
An interesting feature of such a doll was that it was created with a bare head; it had neither hair nor a scarf. It is important that these pupae are passed on from mother to daughter. Also, this rag doll was sure to be carried with you when moving.
The amulet doll of the grain or grain, unlike the ash doll, was responsible both for the well-being of the family and for ensuring that there was always food on the table. The grain is a talisman that was made by the hands of the mistress of the house herself, thereby increasing its meaning. This doll should live in the kitchen.
An obligatory part of the grain amulet was the grain from which the base was created. It is important from time to time to cook food from the same grains with which the grain is filled - this way the beneficial effects of the amulet are enhanced.
Lovebirds were responsible not only for a successful marriage, but also for harmony in the family. Lovebirds had to be in a visible place in the house and could never be separated. It is advisable to make the lovebird amulet for one of your blood relatives.
Motanka is a doll that protected the house, the whole family and the harvest; most often the motanka was intended to protect the baby. There was another type of this amulet - the bereginya motanka, it protected the whole family, brought happiness to the house and was located in the eastern corner of the house. A reel was made from several pieces of fabric, each of which was wrapped in a skein of thread.
Successful woman - helps women in the house. With the help of the successful doll, all the work gets done. In addition, a successful woman helps to maintain wealth in the home. Traditionally in Rus', a successful woman was created in the form of a woman, in whose hands there was a bundle with a coin, tied with a woolen thread. Our culture attached particular importance to the successful doll.
The wisher is a real find, because she is the one who will fulfill your every desire; one wishful lady can make only one dream come true, so if you have many dreams, then you have to make a separate doll for each one. When creating a talisman, the desired woman needs to think hard about the dream that currently has special meaning for you, for example, a successful marriage or pregnancy. Traditionally, the doll was created in the form of a girl with ribbons tied to her hands.
When the doll is made, you need to pick it up, stand in front of a large mirror and say your wish out loud three times. It is imperative to keep the wishful amulet in a visible place so that it is always “in front of your eyes”; From time to time it is recommended to pick it up and think about what you want. After your dream comes true, the desired one is consigned to the fire.
The herbs need to be changed from time to time so that the herbalist can continually bring health into the home. The herbalist in Rus' was always located at the entrance to the house, preferably above the front door. The herbalist was also kept next to children, thereby protecting them from the evil eye.
A pregnancy doll helped a woman get pregnant faster. It was created in the form of a woman with a roll of fabric on her stomach. A pregnancy doll protected its owner from damage, as well as from bad thoughts and fears. In addition, the pregnancy doll helped those women who had experienced an abortion, miscarriage, or were suffering from infertility.
The meaning of the purifier doll is very important - it helps the sick to recover, and also cleans houses where people are often sick. When creating it, it is important to think about the problem that worries you and mentally imprison it in an amulet. This amulet is made in the form of a woman with a broom in her hands. It is important to remember that after creation this amulet is burned.
The doll that brings good news is a bell; this doll is also called the Valdai bell. This amulet is designed to bring good news to the house. In Rus' it was believed that the bell was capable of harmonizing space. This amulet differs from the others in that the doll has three dresses. Also, in appearance, this amulet should look like a bell, and a real bell is placed at its base so that the doll rings when it moves.
The ten hand is the most important assistant of all women, it is she who helps to cope with all household chores and not get tired. They made the ten-handed amulet only once a year, on the Feast of the Intercession. The ten-handed woman was made of grass or straw, she had ten arms, and ten scarlet threads were woven into the hem of the dress.
Day-night – protects the house both day and night, from the influence of dark forces. It was created from two types of fabric - dark and light, which meant day and night. Such amulets were to be stored on the windowsill, where during the day they were turned either with the dark or the light side.
Amulet doll plantain - this doll is for those who are waiting for a long journey, a business trip or a long project in a foreign land. It would be good if this amulet was made by a close relative. A distinctive feature of this doll is that she holds a small bag in her hands, into which they put something from home. These amulets were small in size, so that they could fit into a pocket or travel bag. It was important to take them with you on the road and keep them with you all the time.
The stonefly amulet doll was created on the eve of the arrival of spring and personified beauty in all its manifestations. It brings fun, new energy and happiness. Men who are given this doll will feel healthy, and it will bring a successful marriage to women.
This amulet must have hair made from threads of an unusual and bright color. And the doll itself should be warm, attracting attention, like spring. The finished doll does not have to match the photo - the main thing is that it is bright and spring-like.
The Lada doll was created in honor of the Slavic goddess revered in Rus'. Lada is the goddess of love, beauty and youth. Lada also patronized all women, both married and preparing for marriage. Lada was made in the image of a woman, whose clothes were embroidered with a special pattern. Lada is the keeper of women's wisdom. The ancient Russian news turned to this goddess so that she would bless them for a successful marriage.
The Joy bird doll is a talisman that brings happiness, and also helps a woman to know her nature, her inner and outer beauty. According to the beliefs of the ancient Slavs, if a bird landed on a woman, it meant that a prosperous year awaited her.
The bird doll was created in the form of a girl with a bird depicted on her arms and on her hem. The doll's headdress should also look like a bird. The Bird of Joy amulet should be placed on the window, closer to the sun, from which it is saturated with energy and brings happiness to the house.
Creation Rules
When creating amulets dolls with your own hands, you must remember that there are uniform rules that must be followed when making them. If you are going to do this for the first time, then it is worth attending a master class on creating dolls to have an idea of the process itself, or getting involved in a project to create such amulets.
2. Next, it is important to decide which rag doll interests you and clearly clarify its goals - what exactly it should help you with. Remember, the more vague the goal, the more likely it is that the help will be equally vague.
3. Depending on the purpose, you need to choose the right day for production. If you care about the harvest, profit and everything that should grow, then the doll should be created for the waxing moon. If you care about happiness, harmony in the family or a successful marriage, then such a talisman is good to create on the full moon. All pupae, designed to protect against diseases and problems, are created on the waning moon.
4. You cannot create Slavic amulets dolls on the Day of Rodion and Mokosh - these are Sunday and Friday.
5. Dolls are made from natural fabric and threads, but scraps or sections of old household clothing, which brought good luck and happiness to their owners, are especially suitable.
7. All materials for the dolls are prepared in advance - patches, embroidery, and so on. When you sit down to collect them, you cannot use scissors or needles.
8. The moment of creation should not be photographed. If you are planning a training article, then remember that the photo takes away the strength of the talisman.
9. The most important thoughts and desires should be placed in the amulet when creating his head.
10. Negative energy can enter the doll through the drawn eyes, so they should not be there, and the face should remain clean.
It is important to take into account the fact that the embroidery on dolls’ clothes also carries a deep meaning and affects the strength and energy of the amulet. A master who deals with this issue will be able to tell you a lot about embroidery, but we will describe several patterns on fabric that are the most common.
Hops embroidered on fabric protects against diseases, especially colds (if you don’t know what hops look like, you should find a photo of this embroidery). The fiery cross gives protection from the evil eye and brings happiness. Oak leaves help a man, enhancing his masculinity, willpower, and perhaps help him start a new financially profitable project.
Also, each of the parts of the doll has its own meaning and symbolic meaning. A skirt is a connection with mother earth, a ribbon or scarf is with the forces of air; shirt - with the outside world, the waking world.
Thus, Slavic amulet dolls require special attention, and their creation is a very difficult process that requires concentration. It is important to approach this matter with skill and knowledge, so we advise you to attend a master class to practice this skill; this will help you not only learn the history of the creation of such products, but also try to do everything yourself. As a last resort, you can always turn to step-by-step photos.
Author: Daria Potykan
For centuries, the inhabitants of our planet believed that magical talismans were able to protect against dark forces, preserve health, provide material wealth, and bestow spiritual peace and tranquility. But why make amulets now? Few people believe in their power anymore. And in vain. Human energy is so strong that if you learn to direct it, you can move spoons with just a glance. In America there are even telekinesis clubs. And this is not considered something paranormal or special there. This is an ordinary circle, which is located next to the dance circle.
So, charging the doll for goodness and well-being is not such a difficult task. Especially if you do crafts with children.
Rag dolls
In Rus', the most popular amulets were cute rag dolls. They can still be found in souvenir shops. But if you want to create a talisman, then it is recommended to make a doll with your own hands.
The process of creating a talisman doll has been passed down from generation to generation. The main condition is that a family member must be involved in making the talisman. Different dolls are used for different purposes; you can make a lot of them. If only there was faith and desire!
It is important to know that under no circumstances should you use sharp metal objects when making mascot dolls. Put away scissors, needles, tweezers, and other tools.
Multi-colored flaps are best secured with knots of thread. They must be picked manually or bitten off. It is precisely because of the manufacturing features that these amulets are called knot amulets.
Motanka doll
The motanka doll is a powerful energy protector from unpleasant events, troubles, diseases, as well as the evil eye and damage. Svarga (as the doll’s head is called) has a positive effect on a person, facilitates his path towards goals and helps him to know himself.
It’s not at all difficult to create a motanka doll with your own hands. But it is important to know that this must be done in a good mood, because it is during creation that the energy of the amulet is laid. If it is negative, the impact of the doll will be the same.
It is worth deciding in advance what exactly the doll will help with. Will it bring health, love, luck or maybe more money? It is better to create different dolls for different purposes.
To create a motanka doll, it is best to use natural threads or scraps of clothing from loved ones.
Remember that you must not interrupt under any circumstances. If the energy flow is interrupted, the doll will lose its power and may bring misfortune.
Stolbushka doll
The Bereginya doll (from the words “protects”, “protects”) is a type of motanka, a protective amulet for protecting the hearth and family members from troubles, unkind misfortunes and anything evil. The doll had a double meaning. The pillar serving as the base symbolized male strength, and the skirt or sundress symbolized enveloping, protecting female strength. Thus, the doll represented a combination of masculine and feminine principles.
Sometimes such dolls were also called Column. The name was given according to the principle of a column, a roller, which serves as the basis for creating the image of a figurine.
Veduchka doll
The picture above on the right shows Doll - Veduchka, which is done in the same way as Stolbushka, but with a child. “Veduchka” is a word associated in Russian with the words “to know” and “to lead,” that is, to know and guide, hence the name “leading to life.”
One of the most beautiful versions is that Veduchka is a leading adult who guides a child into life, who later himself will become a leader for the descendant, an eternal change of generations. The doll symbolizes continuity, connection with our feminine gender, feminine strength and an inexhaustible source of life.
Swaddle dolls
I really like diaper dolls. Very cute kids, by the way, children also like these dolls and they are made in 5 minutes.
The Pelenashka doll is a famous traditional Slavic doll that was made for a baby. The diaper is always without a face. It was believed that it protected the newborn from the evil eye.
A twist called “Pelenashka” was made by the eldest woman in the clan as soon as the family found out about the pregnancy. She, like other amulets, was made without a face so that evil spirits would not move into her.
Other sources say that Pelenashka was twisted by the expectant mother in the last month of pregnancy. First of all, such a twist was placed next to the woman in labor to facilitate the arrival of a new person into the world, and then the Pelenashka was placed in a cradle to warm it for the newborn. Further, the amulet protects the baby from the evil eye. This was especially true for children with birth injuries. 
Amulet doll made of threads
Most often, such dolls were created as gifts to dear people for some festive events. Occasionally they were passed down by inheritance. 
Such a mascot doll should be made of yarn. It is advisable to use red because it symbolizes happiness, love, and prosperity. It is also believed that this color enhances the witchcraft properties of the doll, and, accordingly, protects much more effectively from the forces of evil.
A thread doll should be faceless: no eyes, nose or smile. This is a bad omen. 
Doll Kubyshka
The Kubyshka doll, also known as the Herbalist doll, belongs to the motanka category. For centuries it has been used to improve health, strengthen the immune system, and have a positive effect on the nervous system.
The peculiarity of the Herbalist Doll is that it is filled with exclusively useful dried herbs that can overcome any illness. Often such a talisman is placed next to the bed of a person who is sick, or is given to a child so that he becomes stronger spiritually and physically during the game.
Today, the Kubyshka Doll can be purchased at any specialized store. But it is important to understand that a doll made with your own hands will be much more effective and efficient, because a person will imbue it with his own positive emotions. 
In addition, by creating a doll yourself, a person can make it special, add decorations in the form of beads, beads, ribbons, lace, and others.
Doll Zernovushka
The Zernovushka doll, also known as the Krupenichka doll, is a symbol of fertility. In Ancient Rus', at the end of summer, the best grain was poured into a bag, made into a charming doll, and placed in a prominent place. In the spring, this grain was sown, anticipating a rich harvest. 
Usually Zernovushka is filled with millet, wheat or peas. It is also allowed to mix cereals - this creates a symbol of abundance, which also carries exclusively positive energy.
Some may believe that amulets are a relic of the past. But the fact remains: many people guard traditions and still surround themselves with cute, energetically strong little things.
Dolyushka doll with a scythe
The master class uses a ready-made set, but you can choose the materials yourself.
In the Happiness doll, the main thing is the hair, it contains feminine power. The braid twists upward and serves as a support for the doll, making it stable. Few traditional folk dolls can stand on their own. The doll for luck has peculiar little paws that help it on the path to finding your happiness, because the path can be long.
She touches and touches everyone who sees her for the first time. You can play with it without fear that it will unwind, as in the version of folk spin dolls, which should only stand in a place of honor. You can wear such a doll for good luck as a talisman as keychains on bags and mobile phones. It can be placed on your desktop or bedside table.
A doll for good luck is a funny cute doll, a talisman, your assistant on the way to achieving your goal, and hope for the most wonderful future. The “For Happiness” doll is a folk doll - a talisman. This little girl with a very long braid and arms raised towards the Sun. The braid, as a symbol of femininity and feminine strength, symbolizes health, prosperity, beauty and long life. It is best if the braid is directed upward and forward - to new achievements and new successes. In Russian folk tales, where heroes seek their happiness, this doll is mentioned as a helper doll. Even now it is believed that if you carry such a doll with you, you will be successful and you will find your Happiness.
The “For Happiness” doll is convenient because you can always take it with you, put it in your purse or pocket, put it on your desktop or on a shelf with books. Wherever you go and wherever you are, communicate with your doll and then the Happiness and Joy that you were looking for will find you!!! When communicating with a doll, you express your desires or sorrows, dreams and secrets, and everything said out loud can come true or go away forever, the main thing is to accurately formulate your wish for the doll. Such communication always brings Joy, Warmth and Harmony.
In the person of this little baby you will find a Friend, Helper and Bereginya, and most importantly, you will find Yourself. After all, while you are talking to the doll, you involuntarily associate yourself with a little girl who needs to be Loved, Cherished, Praised, Supported, Guided or Showed, and as soon as you Realize this, you immediately imagine who you would like to see next to you. And the more often you look at your doll, the more often you will remember the Image of a Man that you want to see in Life. This is where Miracles happen!!!))) Once you thought, thought twice, and on the fifteenth - a Man appeared!!!
Masters
Makes incredibly beautiful dolls master Olga Mironova.. Here are examples of her work.
Successful doll
Doll Dolyushka
From this article you will learn:
When did amulets first appear in Rus'?
Where and how were fabric amulets dolls used?
What types of fabric amulets dolls exist today?
What are the rules for making fabric amulets dolls?
How to make your own amulet doll from fabric
From time immemorial, every nation has had its own amulets. Ancient Rus' is no exception. Every home necessarily had such a craft as a faceless amulet doll made of fabric. And since all kinds of amulets were responsible for various areas of life, most often there were several dolls too. Each, as they say, “oversaw” one or another part of everyday life, and therefore even outwardly was not similar to the others. Our ancestors lived with faith in everything mystical, as a result of which amulet dolls made of fabric were given great importance.
History of amulets dolls in Rus'
The history of all modern toys began with amulet dolls. The oldest of them are many thousands of years old, they are almost older than the Egyptian pyramids. As for amulets, they owe their birth to paganism, during which any natural phenomenon was perceived by man as the presence of something divine. The first amulet dolls were made not from fabric, but from ash. They took a ball of this substance, moistened it with water and waited for it to swell. The result was the “head” of the future amulet. All other parts of the “body” were made using burlap and twigs. This amulet doll was not intended for children to play with, but served as a symbol of the family hearth. And if the family moved to a new place, they would definitely take this amulet with them.
Just as bronze arrowheads replaced stone ones, so after some time the figurines made of ash grew into amulet dolls made of fabric and thread. They were also called motankas - knot dolls. The oldest motanka found by archaeologists is about five thousand years old. The production of such amulets became possible after linen came into use. The head of the amulet doll was made from this fabric; the role of hair was played by threads and ropes. The legs, arms and torso were made using twigs and flax.
By the way, when creating such a talisman, under no circumstances should needles and scissors be used, otherwise it could not gain strength. For the same reason, a fabric amulet doll had to be made only with one’s own hands and always in the shape of a cross. The material for the amulet was that provided by nature: forest branches and vines, flowers and herbs. Moreover, the “abilities” of the amulet doll largely depended on one or another “raw material”. To maintain happiness in the family, they used birch. With the help of aspen amulets, various evil spirits were driven away from the house.
If we talk about the peculiarities of Russian fabric amulets, then details such as a nose, mouth and eyes were never indicated on their faces. The ancestors believed that the faceless doll was not in danger of being possessed by evil spirits. In addition, it was considered an object without a soul, simply a talisman that took care of the health of the owner, bringing prosperity and happiness to the owner.
A fabric amulet doll can rightfully be considered one of the symbols of Ancient Rus'. And this is not just a cute craft and a funny toy for children; without it, the most important rituals in the lives of our ancestors were unthinkable. Such amulets were made in compliance with all rituals and national traditions.
Each child in the family was provided with his own fabric amulet doll. Moreover, adults often had such amulets as well. For example, if a man was taken to war, then the place of the head of the family at the table was not empty - it was occupied by a specially made amulet doll. She not only reminded the family of the owner of the house, but also protected the owner from injury and death.
This tradition is many centuries old, and it was alive until the twentieth century. Then the development of the state took a different path, and the customs of their ancestors began to be gradually forgotten. Fortunately, today there is a process of Russian people returning to their roots. Folk skills are being revived, including the art of making such amulets.
How can a fabric amulet doll be used?
Amulet dolls come in a variety of forms, depending on the functions they perform.
We can highlight those that:
protect children from the evil eye and diseases;
favors pregnancy;
help boys and girls;
support family well-being in the house, etc.
Each fabric amulet doll eventually became responsible for its own area of life. For example, Bereginya was revered as the patroness of the family hearth. Her place was most often above the entrance to the house - this way she could protect the house from evil entering it. A doll-amulet named Insomnia helped a restless child sleep soundly at night. People believed that this amulet not only protected children from nightmares, but, on the contrary, brought joyful dreams.
A variety of fabrics were used for amulets dolls; one could often find crafts made from numerous colored scraps. Any person in the old days was sure that such objects possessed very powerful magic. But for the amulets dolls to work, they had to be made following certain requirements. In addition, the material from which the product was made mattered. If the rules were violated when making the amulet, then it did not become the owner of magical powers, which means it could not protect family members from harm and bring prosperity to the house.
Dolls made of fabric amulets were not just kept in the house, they often played an important role in mystical rituals performed during large public festivities. As an example, you can take the Maslenitsa doll. She stayed in the hut all year, and on the day when the arrival of spring was celebrated, she was solemnly burned.
It happened that dolls-amulets made of fabric literally spent side by side with a person his entire life. After all, the very first amulet was made even before the birth of the child. As soon as the baby was born, a lovingly sewn rag doll was placed in his cradle.
The little man grew up, but the amulet doll did not gather dust in oblivion. Mystically, she was connected with the owner, protecting him from adversity, evil eyes and evil spirits. Sometimes such amulet dolls were kept in the family for decades, passed on to newborn children.
A fabric amulet doll was not always tied to a specific owner. They were often made in honor of important national holidays - as a ritual offering. The duty of such amulets included not only the protection and protection of the home, they provided family members with health, prosperity and well-being.
What kind of fabric amulet doll do you need?
- Stolbushka doll.
Her other name is Bereginya. She did not allow evil spirits into the hut, protected from troubles, and was the keeper of the family hearth. Provided assistance to women giving birth. They made such amulets dolls with their own hands from fabric left over from old dresses.
- Veduchka doll.
The amulet was responsible for the connection between mother and child and consisted of two dolls, large and small. Moreover, the woman had to make both figures herself. The dolls' hands were joined, implying inseparability between kindred souls.
- Successful doll.
A similar amulet doll made of fabric is one of the types of motanka. To make it you need new material and as many decorations as possible. Successful looks like a fine, stately and stately doll.
- Ten-handed doll.
Fabric amulet doll with ten arms. For women who were both mothers and wives, such amulets helped them cope with large households.
The purpose of this fabric amulet doll is to protect babies from the evil eye. People believed that it was children who faced the greatest danger from such evil. The diaper lay in the cradle of the newborn until the moment of his baptism, after which it was removed.
If guests appeared in the house, they took the baby’s diaper and wrapped the amulet doll in it. This was done so that people who came with bad intentions could be deceived.
As in the previous case, a rag doll-amulet protected a small child from evil forces.
The mother of the unborn baby had to make the kuvadka, with her own hands and long before his birth. The doll’s “duty” was to warm the cradle. Unlike Pelenashka, Kuvadka was not removed for good after the child’s baptism. It was hung over the crib as a toy. But, being entertainment for the baby, the fabric amulet doll did not lose its magical powers and continued to protect the little owner from dark forces. In general, several such amulets were often made, and the brightest and most colorful material for their manufacture was chosen.
- Amulet doll Comforter.
One of the most ancient amulet dolls, which appeared as soon as people learned to work with twists, knots and reels. The comforter was the child's best friend - he talked to her, shared his grief and joy, expressed his most secret desires. It happened that the Comforter accompanied a person throughout his entire life.
The main role of this fabric amulet doll was to calm crying children. One fidget fell unsuccessfully, the second splintered his finger, the third was pecked by a bully rooster - how can you not express your offense by screaming? And they’ll slip a rag doll under the kid’s nose, tell an interesting story associated with it, and the bad mood will go away! If the child needed to be left alone for a few minutes so as not to interfere with an important matter, the Comforter again came into action. In the old days, every nanny carried such a miracle in her apron pocket.
Our ancestors also had some understanding of psychology. That is why such a fabric amulet doll was not taken out too often, and certainly not left with the baby overnight. Otherwise, the child could get tired of the Comforter, and her appearance would lose its magic. Children got used to the fact that the amulet doll comes to the rescue only in the most difficult situations. A kind of conditioned reflex was developed, and an adult could, out of habit, turn to the amulet so that it would help him survive critical moments in life.
A doll-amulet made of multi-colored fabric and always wearing three skirts. It symbolized a good mood and good news. Such amulets were given to friends and family with wishes of happiness.
Her other name is Baba Girl. This fabric amulet doll is intended only for women, as it combines two main feminine components: first carefree and beauty, then thriftiness and sedateness.
All this was reflected even in the appearance of the Pinwheel, which has two heads and two skirts. But only one is visible at a time. To see the second one, the amulet doll must be turned over.
Not a single family that wanted its home to be protected could do without the Herbal Pot. In addition, the fabric amulet doll was responsible for maintaining peace within the clan and for fresh air in the house. The doll was not made from simple materials; when creating the doll, a variety of useful and pleasantly smelling herbs were sewn into its body. There are many useful plants, so the Herbalist was supposed to be plump. Moreover, the more expensive the doll looked, the higher its magical power was considered. To prevent the effect of the amulet from weakening, old herbs were replaced with fresh ones from time to time.
The place for this fabric amulet doll to “live” was determined in the hallway, right above the entrance. It was believed that from there she could best protect the home from evil thoughts. And if a person with bad intentions passed under the amulet, then the Herbalist purified his thoughts and thus did not allow evil into the house. Often, with the help of this amulet doll, they protected the weakest member of the family - for example, a small child. The egg cup did not allow damage and the evil eye to be cast on him.
- Bird Joy.
A doll-amulet made of fabric, dedicated to the rite of welcoming spring. Who, if not the birds, brings warmth on their wings? The main participants in the ritual - and these were always married women in elegant clothes - in the first spring days went outside the outskirts and called Spring.
To take on the image of birds themselves, women wore special headdresses decorated with feathers and depicting feathered messengers. In the old days there was even a belief: if a bird lands on a woman’s hand, shoulder or head, then luck will not leave the chosen one for the next year. Not only did spring come with the birds, they also brought joy, light and warmth.
Thanks to a talisman doll made from the most ordinary fabric, a woman has the opportunity to realize her purpose and feel her own attractiveness. An attractive woman, as opposed to simply beautiful, is able to create an atmosphere around herself that others around her will be drawn to: girlfriends, children and, most importantly, the man she loves. It is not without reason that they say that the joy bird turns time towards spring, and life towards joy.
Not a single wedding would be complete without such a fabric amulet doll. Two figures depicted newlyweds holding hands - a symbol of the coexistence of masculine and feminine principles.
The amulet was sewn not only to protect the newlyweds from troubles during the celebration itself. The purpose of this amulet doll was to accompany husband and wife throughout their entire life together, to maintain in them the fire of mutual love and respect for each other.
During the celebration, the Lovebirds occupied the most honorable place in the cortege: in the team of the first three horses. They attracted all attention to themselves, averting the glances of possible ill-wishers from the newlyweds.
Of course, the fabric for the outfit of such a talisman doll was chosen to be as bright as possible.
A miniature amulet doll made of fabric, made with your own hands. It was presented as a gift to a person who had a long journey ahead of him. The doll is holding a small bag with a grain of wheat planted in a handful of native soil.
The traveler, who had such a talisman doll with him, was sure that he would endure all the difficulties of the road one way or another, he would not face hunger, evil fate would bypass him, and he would be able to return home safe and sound. The plantain was really made very small, no more than 6 cm in length. Thus, it took up little space in the luggage, and the person was nourished by the power of his native land.
- Day-Night doll.
This simple amulet doll made of ordinary fabric faces serious challenges. She must ensure that the nights are necessarily succeeded by the day, and that this order in the world remains unchanged. The amulet itself consists of two dolls or one double-sided. The main thing is that it simultaneously symbolizes both day and night. The family member who got up earlier than everyone else in the morning had to put a light amulet forward and ask him for a good day. And the one who was the last to go to bed in the evening exchanged the light side for the dark side, and prayed for a good night for his relatives, so that the next day everyone would wake up alive, in good health and full of strength.
The Day doll helped people in their daily work, and on holidays she took care of relaxation and fun. The night doll protected the sleep of the household and made sure that they all got a good night's sleep. This amulet was made in a very small size, also because in the old days every piece of material was valued. They made a similar amulet doll from simple fabric before the New Year and gave it to family and friends. For people, Day-Night was not just a talisman, but also a kind of calendar, measuring every day out of three hundred and sixty-five.
Just as the Pinwheel was a purely female amulet, Spiridon the Solstice was intended only for men. It symbolized strength and endurance. Moreover, the amulet contained the most valuable thing in the world that our ancestors had: the constant movement of the sun across the sky. That is why the fabric doll-amulet necessarily contained the element of a wheel - a symbol of our luminary.
Although Spiridon-solstice is an exclusively male amulet, only women could make it. They gave a doll to a loved one in the hope of changes for the better in his life.
This motanka is essentially not a classic amulet, it is rather a ritual object. The duty of the cleansing doll was to take away everything bad from the house: quarrels and illnesses, damage and the evil eye. After this, the motanka was set on fire.
Often these dolls were made in the form of a miniature broom, with the help of which the mistress of the house swept away all the rubbish from the hut - both ordinary and spiritual. Nowadays such a procedure would be called energy cleansing of the home.
As you can see, there were quite a lot of fabric amulets dolls, and therefore it is not surprising that there could be several similar products in one house at once. Our ancestors were sure that protection is never superfluous, and tried to protect the family from any possible evil.
Do-it-yourself amulets made of fabric
Creating a talisman doll is undoubtedly an art. And, as in any art, a lot here depends on the personality of the master, on how he sees the future product. At the same time, over many centuries, certain rules for the manufacture of such amulets have developed, norms that have been passed down from generation to generation. For those who decide to cope with the task on their own, these requirements must be remembered and accepted.
How to make a doll-amulet from fabric so that it turns out to be a truly esoteric thing, and not just a beautiful craft? There are several secrets:
A real amulet doll never had facial features. Otherwise, the amulet became vulnerable to dark magic. And this is not counting the fact that the person who made the doll could randomly give it a resemblance to someone he knew, which would certainly affect the person’s fate.
Only women could make amulets dolls. Moreover, men often did not even have the right to observe this process.
Such amulets are far from toys, and carry very strong magic. Therefore, working with them should always be treated with the utmost care and caution. Untrained women or girls were not allowed to create dolls. Those who had this right worked strictly at a certain time and with the right emotional mood. After all, the power of the amulet directly depended on him.
You should not start making fabric amulets dolls on Fridays, Sundays and major holidays. The product must be ready in one go, even if the process takes a whole day. There is no need to delay work for a week.
When creating a talisman, set aside scissors, needles and other similar objects. If the fabric is cut or pierced, the doll will lose its magical power.
It is better to make a talisman doll not at the table, but on your knees. They are only yours - unlike the table, on which a lot of extraneous energy accumulates.
Amulet dolls made of fabric receive a large portion of their power thanks to the knots made on them. But there are also rules here: the number of nodes must be even. In addition, by tying each of them, the craftswoman could read special spells, thereby increasing the power of the amulet for good luck, prosperity in the family, etc.
The motanka is made on a cross from twigs or wood chips. The fact is that the cross has a special magic that is transferred to the amulet doll.
It is believed that a product is correctly energetically charged only if the craftswoman who made it intuitively likes it. When this is the case, the amulet is ready to fulfill the duties assigned to it.
Amulet doll made of Krupenichka fabric
You will need:
A piece of fabric 20x20 cm. The material can be calico, linen or chintz. For the handles, prepare a strip of 7x30 cm.
Wide lace. This will be used to make the undershirt.
Another piece of fabric for outerwear.
Fabric for making a scarf and a top scarf.
Thick red thread or thin ribbon.
A little grain.
Step by step, a do-it-yourself fabric amulet doll is made as follows:
Make a small bag and pour the cereal into it. Tie or sew the bag. Put a lace underskirt on the doll, then a fabric upper skirt.
Tie a scarf for the amulet doll. Take a strip of fabric, twist it on each side and place it at the back just above your top shirt. After this, wrap everything tightly with braid or thread.
If you want, you can choose an apron for the doll and tie it over the top shirt. Tie a scarf over your head. The amulet has been created.
Amulet doll made of Kubyshka fabric
You will need:
White fabric for the doll's head, piece 20x20 cm.
Variegated fabric 10x10 cm. The chest will be made from it.
Another piece of colorful fabric for the skirt - 40x40 cm.
A triangle of variegated fabric, but for a scarf. Side length – 35 cm.
Ribbon on the head.
Natural material for lining.
A ball of thread.
Fragrant herbs: lavender and mint, thyme and lemon balm, St. John's wort and matryoshka. If they are dried out, it’s okay.
Here, make a doll-amulet from fabric with your own hands according to the following scheme:
Insert the doll into the skirt, tie it with an apron, and attach separate bags of herbs to the arms.
Take a large piece of fabric and place the lining material and collected herbs in its center. To give the square the shape of a bag, bend its corners.
Build two balls from small square pieces of fabric - this will be the chest. Tie them to the doll's body. Put a scarf on your head.
Wrap your head with a knotted ribbon and tie it tightly.
Wrap a piece of cotton wool in a white cloth. Tie the red thread in order around your head, waist and arms.
Doll-amulet for good luck
You will need:
Burlap, linen or other coarse fabric.
Tow to make the doll's hair.
Yellow or orange ribbon for braids.
Variegated fabric in the shape of a rectangle - for a sundress.
A spool of gray and red thread.
A piece of cotton wool.
Step by step, a do-it-yourself amulet doll made of fabric is made like this:
Cut the fabric. For the body and head it will be a square, for the legs - a rectangle, a couple of small squares - for shoes. Place the cotton wool in the center of the triangle, use a red thread to tie it around your head.
Folding the corners, form the doll's head. Fold the edges of the fabric inward and tie.
Roll the fabric cut out into a rectangle for the legs. Bend it in half and attach it to the body.
Lower the edge of the main square and carefully rewind the belt with red thread. Sew a sundress and secure it around your neck and arms.
Comb the tow, divide it in two and sew it crosswise to your head.
Make a braid out of tow and weave a ribbon into it.
When making a talisman, especially for a child, you need to think about the future owner of the doll, wish him all the best, happiness and health. The craftswoman seems to give her positive energy to the amulet.
Amulet doll Podorozhnitsa
You will need:
Light fabric 10x10 cm - for the doll's head.
Multi-colored fabric 6x11 cm - for her arms.
Colored fabric 6x6 cm - for the knot.
Knitted fabric 10x3 cm - for the bottom scarf.
Variegated fabric for the top scarf. The long side should be 18 cm.
To make a dress, dense fabric measuring 6x15 cm.
Material for the apron – size doesn’t matter.
Strong threads.
Head filler.
In this case, a fabric amulet doll is made as follows:
Think about what the doll will have in her bundle, because this is most important for the traveler. Fill the bag and tie it. But leave the edges free so that the knot can be attached to the doll.
Place the filler in the center of the prepared piece of fabric, and use threads to emphasize the doll’s neck. Smooth the fabric to make her face even. Tie a scarf over your head and tie it at the back.
Wrap a piece of fabric prepared for the dress around the doll's neck. Take the hand material and roll it up with a roller. To highlight the brushes, separate them with threads. Place the roller on your back and use thread to wrap it crosswise.
To prevent the threads from being visible, cover them with ribbons. Place an outer scarf on the doll's head and tie an apron around her waist. Connect the hands of the Plantain and attach the finished knot with threads. Just keep in mind: you can’t sew it on, you just need to tape it on.
What herbs are best to fill a fabric amulet doll?
Our ancestors not only knew about the medicinal properties of plants, but also attributed certain magical properties to them. Therefore, amulets dolls were often stuffed with one or another herb.
Pansies reminded the traveler of a loved one.
Anise protected from dark forces. It also helped a person to restrain himself in arguments and keep his mouth shut.
Basil allowed us not to stray from the right path.
Marigolds strengthened faith and contributed to the fight against adversity.
Valerian gave me strength. A person could not feel tired for a long time and easily overcome obstacles.
The carnation kept love.
St. John's wort had a positive effect on health and brought good luck.
Centaury guaranteed that the husband would return home from his trip.
Calendula helped fight the cold.
Where to buy a ready-made fabric amulet doll
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