Corali is a necklace (namysto) made of imported coral beads in the form of cylinders or barrels, strung on a thread. The number of threads can be from 1 to more than 25. Each thread is called razok. Red coralis are a traditional element of Ukrainian national clothing. Coralis were not only an ornament, but also a talisman of health and beauty.
Corali is a necklace made of imported corali beads in the form of cylinders or barrels, strung on a thread. The number of threads can be from 1 to more than 25. Each thread is called once. Red coralis are a traditional element of Ukrainian national clothing. Coralis were not only an ornament, but also a talisman of health and beauty.
History and traditions
In historical times, they became the most widespread in Ukrainian lands, although they remained inaccessible to the poorer population, so the number of threads on a necklace and the size of beads were often an indicator of family prosperity. It was considered the most prestigious to have 24-25 threads, with large beads. Expensive red coralis were processed in the form of ovals or barrels. Cheaper coralis were small, cut in the form of small cylinders (thorny necklace). Often, especially in the Carpathians, silver or gold coins with a soldered eyelet were strung among the corali beads (Austrian ducats or Russian rubles). From the name of the coins, such coralis were called dukach. In Bukovina, such a silver coin was called salba.
According to tradition, the godfather gave a dukach to his goddaughter when she turned 1, and she had to keep the gift, wearing it mainly on holidays. In eastern Ukrainian lands, a large metal bow, decorated with enamel or stones, was also strung on the dukach. On the Left Bank, silver beads (reefs, buttons) were strung between coralis. Along with the chain and the cross, the riffs were compositionally balanced by large metal dukachi. In the western regions of Ukraine, silver coins were sometimes replaced by one or more metal or silver icons or crosses.
Many peoples of the world believe that the necklace has magical properties (in particular, it protects against colds, and the breaking of the thread portends misfortune to the hostess). Closer to the age of 40, women often refused to wear necklaces. If elderly women wore a necklace, it was in small quantities and of a dark color.
Modern history
Nowadays, traditional for Ukraine jewelry made of red corals can be seen on many women and in almost every window of a jewelry or souvenir shop. They are made from the skeletons of coral polyps. In the people, corali made of real coral was called "good necklace", "wise necklace", "sincere corali". Colonies of polyps grow very slowly at depth in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the tropical Atlantic. The color of the skeleton (from pale pink through blood red to dark cherry) is given by pure trivalent iron oxide, which is synthesized by the polyps themselves. Black jewelry corals are not close relatives of red coralis, but simply a similar way of forming a skeleton. There are approximately 200 species of corali polyps in the world with skeletons that are suitable for making necklaces (coralis). In connection with the predatory extermination of coral polyps and their death due to environmental pollution and global warming, the sale of real red coral products is prohibited in some countries, in particular in Canada. Instead of real beads made of red coral polyps, beads made of painted white corals or synthetic materials (plastic, ceramics) are often used.
History and traditions
In historical times, they became the most widespread in Ukrainian lands, although they remained inaccessible to the poorer population, so the number of threads on a necklace and the size of beads were often an indicator of family prosperity. It was considered the most prestigious to have 24-25 threads, with large beads. Expensive red coralis were processed in the form of ovals or barrels. Cheaper coralis were small, cut in the form of small cylinders (thorny necklace). Often, especially in the Carpathians, silver or gold coins with a soldered eyelet were strung among the corali beads (Austrian ducats or Russian rubles). From the name of the coins, such coralis were called dukach. In Bukovina, such a silver coin was called salba.
According to tradition, the godfather gave a dukach to his goddaughter when she turned 1, and she had to keep the gift, wearing it mainly on holidays. In eastern Ukrainian lands, a large metal bow, decorated with enamel or stones, was also strung on the dukach. On the Left Bank, silver beads (reefs, buttons) were strung between coralis. Along with the chain and the cross, the riffs were compositionally balanced by large metal dukachi. In the western regions of Ukraine, silver coins were sometimes replaced by one or more metal or silver icons or crosses.
Many peoples of the world believe that the necklace has magical properties (in particular, it protects against colds, and the breaking of the thread portends misfortune to the hostess). Closer to the age of 40, women often refused to wear necklaces. If elderly women wore a necklace, it was in small quantities and of a dark color.
Modern history
Nowadays, traditional for Ukraine jewelry made of red corals can be seen on many women and in almost every window of a jewelry or souvenir shop. They are made from the skeletons of coral polyps. In the people, corali made of real coral was called "good necklace", "wise necklace", "sincere corali". Colonies of polyps grow very slowly at depth in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the tropical Atlantic. The color of the skeleton (from pale pink through blood red to dark cherry) is given by pure trivalent iron oxide, which is synthesized by the polyps themselves. Black jewelry corals are not close relatives of red coralis, but simply a similar way of forming a skeleton. There are approximately 200 species of corali polyps in the world with skeletons that are suitable for making necklaces (coralis). In connection with the predatory extermination of coral polyps and their death due to environmental pollution and global warming, the sale of real red coral products is prohibited in some countries, in particular in Canada. Instead of real beads made of red coral polyps, beads made of painted white corals or synthetic materials (plastic, ceramics) are often used.