This enigmatic figure is a traditional Ukrainian doll called a Motanka, and that she is meant to provide luck and protection.
Motanka dolls are said to trace back to Trypillia culture, around 5,000 years ago, and are crafted by winding fabric and thread—often from old family garments—without the use of needles or scissors. Their creation is ritualistic, as the maker’s intentions are meant to be woven into the doll during its creation.
Motankas are distinguished by their faceless design, usually featuring a cross of thread on the face, symbolizing the sun, the four cardinal directions, and the unity of heaven and earth. This design choice is thought to aid in the protection it can provide for its owner, and to enable the doll to serve as a universal guardian, transcending specific identity and time.
Motanka dolls serve as talismans for health, prosperity, and harmony, and are often given as gifts for life events such as births, weddings, or housewarmings. In recent years, they have become newly popular as symbols of cultural identity and resistance, appearing in exhibitions and workshops that celebrate Ukrainian heritage and reinterpret traditional motifs for new audiences.
12 1/2” X 8”
This enigmatic figure is a traditional Ukrainian doll called a Motanka, and that she is meant to provide luck and protection.
Motanka dolls are said to trace back to Trypillia culture, around 5,000 years ago, and are crafted by winding fabric and thread—often from old family garments—without the use of needles or scissors. Their creation is ritualistic, as the maker’s intentions are meant to be woven into the doll during its creation.
Motankas are distinguished by their faceless design, usually featuring a cross of thread on the face, symbolizing the sun, the four cardinal directions, and the unity of heaven and earth. This design choice is thought to aid in the protection it can provide for its owner, and to enable the doll to serve as a universal guardian, transcending specific identity and time.
Motanka dolls serve as talismans for health, prosperity, and harmony, and are often given as gifts for life events such as births, weddings, or housewarmings. In recent years, they have become newly popular as symbols of cultural identity and resistance, appearing in exhibitions and workshops that celebrate Ukrainian heritage and reinterpret traditional motifs for new audiences.
12 1/2” X 8”
