Here we have Vassilisa's current costume (It may change) .
The dress is white linen. Russian people wore white clothes during any period of transformation of their social role. People believed that during any life transition (childhood/teen age, or single/married status) the border between material and spiritual world becomes thin and transparent. A light of Heaven ("Eerey" in Russian) shines upon a person-in-passage.
We also wanted Vassilisa to wear some red as this was the first colour Russian people used for colouring cloth. They started to use it as early as in Paleolithic Period, first for ritual purposes. Certain herbs (Rubia tinctorum) and minerals (hematite) can give red color to cloth and tread.
As a symbol of blood, it shows energy flow between nature and human being. In ritual harvesting costumes you can see long red stripes - "streams of energy" flowing from woman to a grain field. Everyday clothes has protective "fire" trim around neck, wrists, and bottom (both in men and women outfits).
Information on traditional Russian clothing was obtained from
http://traditionalrussiancostume.com/costumeinfo/xru_en.php?nametxt=7
The dress is white linen. Russian people wore white clothes during any period of transformation of their social role. People believed that during any life transition (childhood/teen age, or single/married status) the border between material and spiritual world becomes thin and transparent. A light of Heaven ("Eerey" in Russian) shines upon a person-in-passage.
We also wanted Vassilisa to wear some red as this was the first colour Russian people used for colouring cloth. They started to use it as early as in Paleolithic Period, first for ritual purposes. Certain herbs (Rubia tinctorum) and minerals (hematite) can give red color to cloth and tread.
As a symbol of blood, it shows energy flow between nature and human being. In ritual harvesting costumes you can see long red stripes - "streams of energy" flowing from woman to a grain field. Everyday clothes has protective "fire" trim around neck, wrists, and bottom (both in men and women outfits).
Information on traditional Russian clothing was obtained from
http://traditionalrussiancostume.com/costumeinfo/xru_en.php?nametxt=7
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