Oyushy (“master of ornaments”)
“Ornament” in Kazakh people language is named “oyu-ornek” (“oyu” - pattern, “ornek” - tracery). The master of making ornaments is called “oyushy”. Kazakh people respect oyushy very much.
Oyushy
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Kazakh people traditional ornaments
More information about Kazakhstan people in Kazakhstan.
Gool, dongelek, muyiz, tanba
There are four types of Kazakh ornaments: vegetable, animal, geometrical and astrological. Every one has its own meaning.
Arpabas, kobelek, soo ornegy
Color is an important part of the ornament. Bright colors are for cheerful mood and prosperity; pale colors for depression and anxiety. White color is dominating in Kazakh ornaments meaning truth and happiness.
Tuyietaban (“camel foot”)
Clothes decorated with tuyietaban (“camel foot”) ornament is used for distant journey.
Tuyietaban (“camel foot”) ornament
Kus kanat (“bird’s wings”)
Kazakh people wishing happiness and independence present things with kus muryn (bird’s beak) and kus kanat (bird’s wings).
Kus kanat (“bird’s wings”) wings
Kempyr kosak (“rainbow”)
Kempyr kosak (“rainbow”) ornament consists of several colors in rainbow order. The blue color is the symbol of sky (Tengry worship), red - fire and sun, yellow - mind, green - spring and youth.
Kempyr kosak (“rainbow”) ornament
Orkesh (“camel hump”)
Orkesh (meaning “camel hump”) ornament is used for wishing prosperity and reproduction.
Orkesh (“camel hump”) ornament
Tumarsha
Tumarsha ornament is looking like an amulet. It is protecting its bearer from evil eye. Tumarsha ornament is painted on clothes, yurtas and things of everyday life.
Tumarsha ornament
The questions of our visitors
Rukiye Azdemir asks: I am currently working on a project regarding Kazakhstan and looking of different ornaments. I came upon the symbol Tortushkul. I could not find the meaning or the symbolism of it. Could you please help me to find if there is any meaning or any myth or does that symbol refer to any meaning? Thank you in advance
Expert's answer:
"Tortushkul" literally means "four sharp angles". It is a geometric figure that represents four rhombuses connected by their vertices at one point. The image vaguely resembles a star. The traditional name of the ornament is formed from two words "tort" and "ushkul". The original meaning of the ornament is encoded in its two-part name. The symbolism of the number "four" in Turkic culture is manifested in such concepts as: four cardinal directions, four seasons, etc., and the word "ushkul" in Kazakhs means fast/sharp. This pattern is characterized as a closed symmetrical system. It can be used as an independent element and as an element of a plot composition together with other patterns in carpet decor, artistic wood processing, etc.Feedback:
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