Russian dolls – women cult, toys or just souvenirs?
The Russian matryoshka, also known as nested Russian doll or just “Russian doll” is a kind of wooden toy, in which 6 or 7 wooden figures can be put into each other.
The first Russian matryoshka was created by the craftsman Vasily Zvyozdochkin. Where does the matryoshka idea come from and what is the meaning behind it? Today we plan to unravel the mystery of the legendary doll.
Protection symbols and talismans exist as long as man exists
The body shape of the matryoshka resembles an egg, which represents the eternal order of life
Matryoshka stands for “mother” – the woman who passes on life
Today, the nested dolls are immediately linked to Russian folklore
The genesis
The first toy probably originated with the first human. The cavemen built toys made of bones and stones, archaeologists report. During numerous excavations, evidence is constantly being found – small figures that look either like humans or animals. Some claim that the figures are associated with religious customs and were less intended for play.
In the museum of the Russian toy we discover some doll models.
Very often the Russian dolls are painted in bright colors – as healthy and fertile creatures
The largest doll is always the most elaborate and usually has a strap dress on
In her hand, the mum carries either a broom or a cock
The figures are individually designed and bear the character of their origin
The doll as a mascot
There is the “pelenashka” – a doll for adults, which is actually a mascot.
The farmhouses in Russia were full of various lucky charms or contactor items. Interesting is the fact that in many Slavic peoples the dolls, which are still called Russian dolls, were first made for adults and then only for the children.
Matryoshka can be both a farmer’s wife and a queen
The honor to the woman
There were dolls to influence the wheat harvest, dolls to protect the landlady, or those taken with them.
All these dolls were made from simple materials such as straw, wood, stone.
The protective and helping meaning is transferred to today’s Matryoshka dolls. “Matryoshka” is the Russian trivialization of the Latin word “matrona” whose root word implies “mother of the family” or motherhood “. The nested dolls symbolize the fertility of the woman and the honor of the mothers.
Not so famous, but of equal importance are the Hawaiian Milimili dolls
It is denied whether the Fukurama figures or the matryoshka first emerged
Officially, there is the Russian matryoshka since the 19th century
Russian dolls around the world
Whether the name came first or the doll – that’s still not clear. The first evidence of the existence of the matryoshka actually come from Japan. A wise Japanese is said to have fascinated by his Fukuruma doll the Russian Matryoshka maker. Some Japanese said that the first Fukuruma doll was mastered by a Russian monk.
Today, the Russian matryoshka doll is a symbol of Russian folklore.
The Russian babushka dolls are the most popular russian souvenir these days
