Hungarian folk art embroidery Matyo Roses

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A Hungarian couple in traditional embroidered costumes. Hungarian folk art embroidery Matyo Roses

Hungarian folk art embroidery Matyo Roses
Any folk art is closely connected with life, the nature and the history of each people. Known for brightness of colors and variety, national Hungarian embroidery is stunning and recognisable. Noteworthy, each region of Hungary brings its own characteristics.
There are two types of Hungarian embroidery – matyo and kalocsi. Matyo includes black background and bright silk threads for bright floral patterns. Traditionally, the main motif is a large rose located in the center with smaller embroidered motifs around it, and each of them has its own significance. Also, the colors of embroidery bear special significance. For example, yellow means sun, black – the strength of the earth, blue – sadness, and green – mourning.
However, Kalocsi embroidery includes natural motifs and white thread. Gradually, embroiderers added other colors. Now there are 27 colors. The basis is white flax. Besides, each color has its own meaning: red – youth, flowering, yellow – the sun, and a combination of blue and violet – mourning.

A heart – ornamental part of Matyo Roses

Noteworthy, Matyo is the oldest style of embroidery, formed in Hungary. According to belief, even during the Turkish yoke (XVI-XVII century), the girl saved her lover from captivity. The Turkish sultan demanded an unusual ransom for the young man – an apron full of roses, during the winter. And the resourceful girl has embroidered her apron with flowers.

The widened aprons – Shurts, are an important detail of both the female and the male costume of Matyo. Each self-respecting girl or young man before the wedding had to prepare for himself a dowry of seven aprons. However, the poorest could have two. Served as a subject for engagement – the girl gave her apron to the chosen one at the feast, and the young man threw his apron at night to the window of the bride. Meanwhile, later the wedding shurts had a magical meaning. In particular, people believed that this item could have miracle properties. Among them – calming the crying baby and even the most capricious kid instantly fall asleep under such a “blanket”.