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Znaki (Slavic Charms) [Archive] - MysticWicks Online Pagan Community and Spiritual Sanctuary

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Agaliha
June 3rd, 2007, 01:19 AM
I came across these when I was looking though Okana's Web (http://okana.org/).
Has anyone heard of them before or perhaps use them? I'm pretty interested in them. Especially what all the symbols are and mean.

From the site:

For thousands of years, Slavic people have made talismans called pysanky (from the Slavic verb "to write") on eggs, decorated with beeswax and dye in batik fashion. The designs themselves are called znaki, which means "charm" or "symbol". Each of the znaki had special meaning, and since the ancient Slavs had no writen alphabet, these symbols were the expression of ideas and the method of communicating magickal desires.The znaki are not intended to tell the future, but to provide guidance for meditation and action.



For millenia women in the Slavic tribes learned to decorate the beautiful talismans called Pisanki. Examples of designs used on the pisanki are found on pottery and household items in archaeological digs all over what Marija Gimbutas refers to as Old Europe.
A good crafter will learn between 50 and 100 different singular symbols, and then learn the traditional combination designs that are comprised of those symbols and others. In ancient times they were made as talismans all year long for a multitude of intents and desires. These symbols, called znaki (plural - znak is singular) are the basis of the set of runes that comprise the Znaki. Fifty of the most common singular designs are used.
Znaki : Slavic Charms (http://www.amazon.com/Znaki-Slavic-Charms-Okana/dp/0967805031)(Pamphlet) by Okana (amazon.com)



I did a search on Yahoo's Images and found a few things:

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2331/runesoo7.png
Can anyone read the Russian there?
These look like they could be symbols used to me various things.



And here is a site (http://www.mindspring.com/~dragynphyre/page_3_b_1.htm) that shows many of them, here's an example:

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/9162/sloneczcn3.jpg


I also looked up pisanki:
Pisanki (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkm7dWmJGQ.EA.YlXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2dDh2NzlyBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA3cEdnRpZANGNjY2Xzc3BGwDV 1Mx/SIG=1234rprrv/EXP=1180937309/**http%3a//www.polishamericancenter.org/Pisanki.htm)
Polish pisanka - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkm7dWmJGQ.EA_4lXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2cmcxb25jBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMwRjb2xvA3cEdnRpZANGNjY2Xzc3BGwDV 1Mx/SIG=11vce52am/EXP=1180937309/**http%3a//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_pisanka)
Pisanka - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkm7dWmJGQ.EAA4pXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2bWo2ZTBtBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNARjb2xvA3cEdnRpZANGNjY2Xzc3BGwDV 1Mx/SIG=11o814dl8/EXP=1180937309/**http%3a//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisanka)
Pisanki: An Ancient Art of Hope and Life (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkmw6W2JGT2EB37RXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2dDh2NzlyBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA3cEdnRpZANGNjY2Xzc3BGwDV 1Mx/SIG=126ubqbfv/EXP=1180937402/**http%3a//culture.polishsite.us/articles/art344fr.htm)
Pysanky Traditional Ukrainian Easter Eggs, how to make (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkmw6W2JGT2EB6LRXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2bWo2ZTBtBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNARjb2xvA3cEdnRpZANGNjY2Xzc3BGwDV 1Mx/SIG=11o6ik1pk/EXP=1180937402/**http%3a//www.papereggs.com/pysanky.htm)
www.pgsa.org/EggsPisanki.pdf (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkmw6W2JGT2EB4rRXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2Z241Mzk5BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA3cEdnRpZANGNjY2Xzc3BGwDV 1Mx/SIG=11n3pv8pr/EXP=1180937402/**http%3a//www.pgsa.org/EggsPisanki.pdf) (PDF)

Agaliha
June 3rd, 2007, 01:22 AM
Also, I can't find the site. It might be down, but I saved this to my computer from before...about various Slavic Symbols (at least that's what they said):



Geometric:

• Bend
- defense, protection

• Circle
- Sun
- cycles of life, completeness
- growth
- good fortune
- happiness
- protection
- everlasting life
- continuity
Circle Halved
- (polarity)
- summer & winter
- night & day
- life & death
Circle with Cross
- the center & four directions
Circle with Dot
- spring
- earth coming to life
Circle within a Circle
- androgyny

• Cross
- (equal-armed)
- the four directions
- the four ages of man (child, youth, man & elder)
- the four elements
- rebirth
- eternal life

• Curls
- defense, protection
- continuity
• Diamonds
- knowledge

• Dots
- stars in the heavens
- tears
- a cuckoo's egg
- spring
- predicting the future
- the axis of the universe (dot in a circle)

• Eternity Band
- (dividing element on the eggs)
- aka the endless line with no beginning or end
- aka meander
Band/Belt
- eternity
Embattled Line
- a forest
- enclosure, something contained
Engrailed & Invected Line
- union of opposites (such as land & water)
Gypsy Road
- the continuous line that acts as a trap for evil
Indented Line
- Sun
- life-giving heat (saw-tooth band)
Line
- the thread of life
- eternity
Meander
- harmony
- motion
- infinity
- immortality
Ribbon
- the thread of life
- eternity

• Spiral
- mysteries of life & death
- divinity
- immortality
- eternity

• Star
- (4, 6, 8)
- female principle
- beauty
- elegance
- success good fortune
- eternal life
- life
- purity
- perfection
- giver of light
- knowledge, wisdom

• Sun
- (small circle, dot, many-rayed)
- life giving
- fire & warmth
- enchantment
- prosperity
- good fortune

• Swastika
- Sun
- happiness
- blessings, good fortune
- good will

• Triangle
- (trinity, any trio)
- air, fire, water
- sun, moon, stars

• Tripod
- solar symbol signifing a trinity (triskelion)
- man, woman, child
- birth, life, death

• Water
- wealth, abundance
- growth
- productivity
- cleansing

• Wave
- aka saw-tooth band
- wealth
- rain
- growth
- cleansing

Tools:

• Basket
- see Net
• Basket weave
- see Sieve

• Comb
- putting things in order

• Ladder
- searching
- rising above the petty
- prosperity

• Net
- motherhood, giving life
- containing knowledge
- giving gifts

• Rake
- successful harvest

• Sieve
- division/separation of good & evil

Plants:

• Acorn
- preparing for the future

• Berries
- health
- wisdom

• Branch
- same meaning as the specific tree

• Broad Leaf / Deciduous Trees
- strength
- renewal
- creation
- organic unity
- growth
- eternal life
- see Tree of Life
Oak, Maple, Beech
- men
Birch, Poplar, Bass
- women

• Cucumber
- preservation of life

• Ears of Cereal Plants
Wheat
- wishes for a bountiful life
- bountiful harvest
- health

• Evergreen Trees
Pine Needles
- health
- stamina
- eternal youth
Pine Tree
- health
- stamina
- strength
- boldness
- growth
- eternal life
- eternal youth

• Flowers
- female principles
- love
- charity
- beauty
- children
- wisdom
- elegance

• Fruit
- continuity
- good fellowship
- strong & loyal love
- love of the sacred

• Fruit Trees
Apple
- knowledge
- health
- wisdom
Cherry
- feminine beauty
- happiness
- love
Plum
- knowledge
- health
- wisdom

• Garland
- (Vinok) three bands
- birth, marriage, life

• Grape Vine
- continuity
- good fellowship
- strong & loyal love

• Leaves
- immortality
- eternal or pure love
- strength
- persistence
Oak Leaves
- strength
- cycle of life
- persistence
Small leaves
- youth & love

• Lily of the Valley
- purity
- humility

• Periwinkle
- immortality
- eternal love

• Plants
- rebirth
- nature

• Poppy
- consolation
- oblivion
- sleep
- joy
- beauty

• Rose
- see Star

• Sunflower
- Sun
- motherhood
- life
- love of the sacred

• Three Leaf
- see Periwinkle

• Tree of Life
- renewal
- creation
- organic unity

Animal:

• Bear
- associated with the forest guardian spirit

• Bear's Paws
- male, master of home
- bravery
- wisdom
- strength
- endurance
- the coming of Spring
- action
- respect

• Bee
- spring
- rebirth of the land
- hard work

• Birds
- messengers of the Sun and heavens
- joy
- fulfillment of wishes
- fertility
- pushing away evil
- fertility
- fulfillment of wishes
- good harvest
- harbingers of spring
Duck
- precursors of spring to the lakes & rivers
Geese
- precursors of spring to the lakes & rivers
Lark
- brings spring into the fields
Nightingale
- announces spring to the orchards
Sparrow
- community life
- human attachment
Stork
- new babies
Swallow
- foretells the coming of spring

• Bird Parts
- (eyes, feet, beaks, combs, feathers)
- carry the same meaning as whole bird

• Butterfly
- woman
- soul
- resurrection
- ascent of the soul
- pleasure
- frivolity of childhood

• Deer
- wealth, prosperity

• Fish
- abundance
- sacrifice
- regeneration

• Goose feet
- soul or spirit

• Hen
- woman
- children
- fertility

• Hen's Feet
- guidance
- direction of the youth in searching for knowledge
- protection for the young

• Horns
- manhood
- leadership
- nobility
- wisdom
- triumphs over problems

• Horse
- the motion of the Sun
- wealth, prosperity
- endurance
- speed

• Rabbit
- humility
- attending to nature

• Rabbit's Ears
- see Rabbit

• Ram
- leadership
- strength
- dignity
- perseverance

• Ram's horns
- see Ram

• Rooster
- man, masculinity
- wealth
- good fortune
- coming of the dawn
- vigilance

• Snake
- protection from catastrophe

• Spider
- patience
- artistry
- industry
- healing
- good fortune

• Stag
- masculinity
- wealth, prosperity
- leadership
- strength
- victory
- joy

• Wolves Teeth
- (saw-tooth band)
- loyalty
- wisdom
- a firm grip

Colors:

• Black
- darkness
- eternity
- remembrance
- constancy
- death
- fear
- ignorance
- absolute
- the womb

• Red
- Sun
- protection
- fertility
- joy
- passion, love
- enthusiasm
- charity
- spiritual awakening
- action
- fire

• Yellow
- light
- youth
- love
- kindness
- purity
- happiness
- wisdom
- the harvest
- hospitality
- benevolence

• White
- purity
- light
- innocence
- birth
- virginity
- ignorance

• Dark Red
- harvest
- gathering fruit
• Black & Red
- ignorance arising from passion
• Black & White
- protection from evil
- respect for the dead
- ignorance of mind

• Blue
- sky
- air
- good health
- truth
- fidelity
- higher life
- trust

• Brown
- mother earth
- harvest

• Green
- life
- earth
- plants
- fertility
- renewal, freshness
- hope
- health

• Orange
- Sun
- light
- fire
- endurance
- strength
- power
- passion (red) tempered by wisdom (yellow)
- worthy ambition

• Purple
- patience
- trust
- power
- fasting
- faith