Яковлева, Ольга ВасильевнаYakovlieva, Olha V.Яковлєва, Ольга Василівна2014-07-062014-07-062013Studia mythologica slavica. - ZRC SAZU, Institut za slovensko narodopisje: Tiskarna Cicero Begunje d.o.o., 2013.https://dspace.onu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/4973The vocabulary meaning of the word “cloth” is compared with its symbolical meaning, which this word acquires in traditional texts. The article analyzes sacral function of a fabric, which is represented in family traditions by different objective symbols, i. e. towel, head scarf, table cloth etc. The research of people’s and poetic symbols requires not only knowledge of history, ethnography, national culture, but also imagination, dreaming nature, care and respect for the past and the ancestors. It is relevant for Ukrainian humanistic science to learn more about traditional culture related to people’s outlook and mentality. Weaving is one of the oldest crafts; works of weaving, especially towels, shawls, table clothes had both every-day and sacral meaning. In the context of family rituals, these wares acquired deep symbolic meaning. For example, the “rushnyk” towel in the wedding ceremony acts as a verbal, action and objective symbol. The symbolism of the object is also important in the ritual of the funerals and giving birth. The cloth and its wares, as any other symbol, is characterized by polysemy and diversity.uksymbolical meaningobjective symbolactional symbolsacralclotheverydayArticle