The bride's wreath was an important ritual attribute of traditional weddings in the Dniester villages. Wreaths were often kept as protective charms, placed behind icons, throughout a person's life.
This section is dedicated to the traditional Dniester wedding wreaths:
- Wax wreaths: Made from wax, wire, foil, and other materials, with colorful accents added to enhance their beauty.
- Paper flowers: Handcrafted and gathered into wreaths, symbolizing creativity and the handmade nature of the tradition.
- Living flower wreaths: Made from fresh flowers such as periwinkle, rue, and mint, carefully woven together for a natural and symbolic touch.
Wax wreaths were made from various materials, including wax (paraffin, stearin, tallow), wire (of different diameters), paper (plain or colored), foil, wood shavings, fabric, beads, threads, wool, and glue. The color of the wreaths varied, with both multi-colored and monochrome designs. The shades ranged from yellow-brown (depending on the natural color of the wax, stearin, or tallow) to white (paraffin).
Often, these materials were mixed in proportions chosen by the craftswoman to achieve the desired effect and aesthetic. The process of creating these wax wreaths required skill and attention to detail, as they were not only beautiful but also symbolic items in the wedding ceremony.
The flowers for paper wreaths were made from paper and dyed with natural, colored dyes. It was a labor-intensive process — each flower was crafted individually, and then all the flowers were gathered together to form a wreath.
In many villages, there were several craftswomen who specialized in making these wreaths, or ready-made wedding wreaths could be purchased at local markets. The process of creating paper wreaths required skill and patience, as each flower had to be carefully crafted and arranged to achieve the desired appearance.
A wreath made of fresh flowers symbolized the chastity and modesty of a young girl. It served as a protective charm, guarding her from negative or envious gazes.
Each flower used in the wreath held its own special meaning. Young girls were knowledgeable about which plants and how many to choose for the wreath, as well as the right time and the thoughts to hold while weaving it. These carefully selected flowers were believed to carry specific qualities, such as purity, love, and protection.
