Europe, Croatia, traditional bedspread " Ponjava" from region Slavonia

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Their mesmerizing art creations are a distinct feminine writing with messages of love and erotic character. On them are embroidered motives as protection agains evil and motive that brings happiness. With these bedspreads are covered bed of newly-married couple in the first wedding night, and in the first years of marriage, with the desire for fertility. There is also a desire to protect the young couple from evil and desire for happiness in marriage. Therefore, Ponjave are inseparable from wedding customs.
The most common motives are embroidered mushrooms that are always shown in cross section, and the pedicel that resemble male and female genitalia, mirrors made ​​of multicolored triangles arranged in a rhombus, birds, horses and other animal motives. Also appearing male and female characters, hearts, wedding symbols, crosses, snakes, bees, beehive and many floral ornaments.

From the exibition: "Dvoje leglo - troje osvanulo":

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Pansies ornament:
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Grapes ornament:
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[Sisak]

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Pillow:
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[Sisak]

Motif symbolism
An asset of protection from the evil eye could be effective only if it has a certain shape, color and symbolism. Therefore, as a protection from the evil eye on Ponjava commonly are mirror motives, because with its luminescence rejects evil forces. Placed in the cradle, the clothes and the bride headgear, and the ponjava of different colors in the form of a triangle together form a rhomb. Similar motives can be seen in Roman floor mosaics.

Protection from evil
Another motive for protection against evil forces was used in prehistoric times, and it is a double spiral motif which, presumably, is the human eye and the ponjava's to protect newlyweds from evil eyes.
There is a motive of hands with outstretched fingers, familiar and effective asset against spells. From romantic motifs can be seen the heart and musical instruments, and one of the most common motive mushrooms, symbols of fertility. Often there is the snake. Known is the relation between woman and snake, and is widely used in the legends, it is well-known legend of the wife of Philip, who, after seeing the snake gave birth to Alexander the Great.