Ukrainians wore vyshyvankas not only on holidays, and they do not share common roots with the Russian kosovorotka. These and other myths were debunked on Vyshyvanka Day by the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), reports UNN.
The agency notes that during Soviet times, numerous myths were formed around the Ukrainian vyshyvanka, aimed at leveling its cultural and national significance.
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But despite the Soviet authorities' attempts to distort the meaning of the vyshyvanka or reduce it to a folkloric attribute without deep meaning, it has survived as an iconic symbol of Ukrainian identity.
Today we are restoring the true meaning of the vyshyvanka — as a cultural code, ancestral memory, and spiritual protection,
Myth 1
In the USSR, wearing a vyshyvanka was prohibited.
However, as numerous historical records show, embroidered shirts were not formally banned, and even Nikita Khrushchev wore them in the 1950s.
However, during the era of Leonid Brezhnev, the vyshyvanka became a symbol of dissidence, and wearing it could lead to persecution. Especially in the western regions of Ukraine, people hid their vyshyvankas to avoid repression.
Myth 2
Ukrainian and Russian embroidered shirts are similar and have common roots.
In fact, no. The Russian kosovorotka has a side slit, and the embroidery is located only on the left side of the shirt. The Ukrainian vyshyvanka has a central slit and symmetrical ornaments, which often carry deep symbolic meaning.
Myth 3
Shirts with white embroidery were worn only by the poor.
On the contrary, white-on-white embroidery was considered a sign of sophistication and wealth. Such shirts often had dense embroidery, creating a lace effect, and were very valuable.
Vyshyvanka Day: history, traditions, and how the holiday is celebrated in Ukraine21.05.26, 10:00
Myth 4
Vyshyvankas were worn only on holidays.
In traditional Ukrainian life, vyshyvankas were part of everyday clothing. There were different types of shirts: everyday, festive, wedding, etc. Each had its own purpose and level of decoration.
Myth 6
Embroidery with black threads was for mourning and symbolized loss and sorrow.
This is also an inaccuracy. For example, Borshchiv embroidery from the Ternopil region was traditionally done with black threads and was used even in wedding attire. The color black was popular in other regions as well.
Myth 7
Only women were engaged in making vyshyvankas.
Although most embroiderers were women, in some regions, particularly in Bukovyna, men also engaged in embroidery and weaving.
Myth 8
Vyshyvankas were always decorated with floral ornaments.
In fact, traditional Ukrainian embroidery predominantly featured geometric ornaments. Naturalistic floral motifs appeared only at the end of the 19th century with the development of industrial production.
Zelenskyy and his wife share photos in vyshyvankas21.05.26, 09:40