Ukrainian embroidery has a long history, dating back to ancient times, as evidenced by archaeological findings and travelers' accounts. Embroidery was used to decorate the clothing of Scythians according to Herodotus. While only recent centuries of Ukrainian embroidery artifacts have been preserved, the ornamental symbols and elements coincide with those used in Neolithic pottery designs. In the 19th-20th centuries, embroidered Ukrainian shirts emerged separately from traditional costumes and were incorporated into European clothing. Various geometric patterns, floral motifs, and images of animals and birds carried symbolic meanings and purposes in Ukrainian embroidery.

1. The history of embroidery in Ukraine goes
back to ancient times. The archaeological
excavations and testimonies of travelers
confirm that embroidery as a kind of art
existed since immemorial times in Ukraine.
According to Herodotus, the clothing of
Scythians was decorated with embroidery. .

2. Ukrainian embroidery
Unfortunately, only the last few
centuries monuments of Ukrainian
Embroidery were preserved, but
this is enough to figure out that
elements of Ukrainian embroidery
ornaments symbols coincide with
ornaments that decorated the
ancient dishes of Ukrainian
inhabitants in Neolithic period,
Tripoli culture.

3. In the 19th and
20th centuries
embroidered
Ukrainian shirt
stands apart from
the traditional
costume and it is
worn in
combination with
the European
clothing. It is
believed that the
initiator of wearing
embroidered
clothes was a
famous Ukrainian
writer Ivan
Franko; he is
considered to be
the founder of
Ukrainian folk
fashion, the writer
enjoyed wearing
jacket

4. Since the times of
Ukrainian Independence,
embroidery has become
very popular and nation-
wide. Both male and
female variations on
traditional embroidered
shirts are now common
at celebrations and
youth events. It is
popular to wear
embroidered clothes on
wedding ceremonies.

5. It became a
custom among
the officials
and deputies
to wear
embroidered
suits,
especially after
the Orange
Revolution in
Ukraine

6. The main function of embroidery is
finishing. However, an embroidered shirt
had an important mission of talisman for
a long time. Ornaments on embroidered
shirts and towels carry a deep content,
their roots date back to Slavic
mythology.

7. Geometric
patterns are
among the most
common
Ukrainian
patterns.
Diamond is an
ancient symbol of
the sun, fertility
and women's
power, it brings
good luck and

8. Wavy lines are the
symbols of water,
they embodied the
life-giving force,
and horizontal
lines are the
symbols of the
earth - fertility.
Cross in a circle is
the sun sign,
which removes evil
and buttocks
(equilateral cross),
it’s a sign of fire
symbolizing
spiritual
purification.

9. Floral motifs are also
often used in embroidery.
Oak leaves are a symbol
of power and strength,
and viburnum is the
symbol of beauty. These
characters often met in
the men's shirts. Poppy is
a symbol of fertility and
memory, and bunches of
grapes symbolize joy and
family life. Roses
symbolize love and youth,
and periwinkle - loyalty
and eternal life.

10. Images of animals and birds,
including pigeons, roosters and
horses protected people from evil
forces. Embroidered couples of birds
symbolized a wedding couple and
swallows symbolized good news