Hi everyone, I am a first generation Bulgarian/American living in the United States and I am looking to add some of these patterns to my tattoo sleeve. Can somebody help me understand the meanings behind each of these symbols in the picture. Thanks in advance.

6 comments

  2. Well it’s called “шевица” (shevitsa) and are traditional Bulgarian patterns used for decorations. It’s mainly composed of geometry motives but can have animal or floral motives as well. As for meaning – I don’t know if there is one but would be curious to know if someone has any other info.

  3. Hey, there. Well the issue is that there are several so called folklore areas in Bulgaria where those symbols exist and in order for people to tell you the specific meaning of a symbol, they should know the rough area of origin.

    As u/lamerbs said those patterns are called shevitsa also vezba, they were embroidered on peoples clothes in the past/no just the clothes, but this was by far the biggest application as far as I know/. They can be made of geometric patters, animals, flower pattern etc. and generally mean good luck/protection/health. That sort of thing. There was also different shevitsa for different things e.g. patterns embroidered on a wedding costume were not used for every day clothes.

    Here is some info for specific types, if you can read Bulgarian(or use Google translate)

    [https://ucreate.bg/%D0%B1%D1%8A%D0%BB%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8-%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B8-%D0%B7%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0/](https://ucreate.bg/%D0%B1%D1%8A%D0%BB%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8-%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B8-%D0%B7%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0/)

Leave a Reply