An important ritualistic object at Ukrainian folk wedding is the embroidered ceremonial towel called “rushnyk”. Its main purpose is to symbolically link the bride and groom.
It was also a part of the outfit for every participant of the event. The bride-to-be embroidered a towel for each relative and friend who would take part in the wedding ceremony. So, there were at least 20 hand-woven ceremonial towels from hand-spun yarn, decorated with intricate needlework.
Even the poorest girls tried to prepare as many rushnyks as they could afford. The embroidered towel was an indicator of wealth and social class of the bride.
