Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Symbols in Hungarian Folk-art by Erika M Szabo

The tulip in Hungarian folk-art


By Erika M Szabo
When I was writing my epic fantasy series, I researched Hun history which occupies the bigger part of the story, but I got sidetracked by the fascinating Hungarian folk-art that is filled with symbols and secret messages. 

In this post, I’ll tell you about the most important symbol, the tulip. In Hungarian folk-art, the tulip is the symbol of love and represents the balance between feminine and masculine.
We admire the carved or richly embroidered tulip folk art but most of us don’t know the ancient secrets and messages that are hiding in the motifs.



Some historians speculate that the tulip is the representation of the female genitalia where new life begins. However, it goes further in folk-art because, without a male, life cannot be brought forth. In most of the carved, painted, or embroidered art, the male is represented as well as the female tulip accepts the male tulip with seeds inside her to start a new life.


Although the tulip depicts the woman from the age of a young girl to the adulthood of childbearing age, and to old age and death, the male tulip facing away from the female is present in most folk-art. The tulip bud represents young girls, the just about getting to open petals are the symbol of young women and the fully open petals represent grown women in their reproductive age. The withering petals depict the end of a beautiful, productive and rich life.
Courtesy of: http://morzsafarm.hu/
The tulip can be found everywhere: on embroidered doilies, bed covers and pillows, furniture, work equipment, pots and plates, household utensils, male and female clothes, and even on jewelry. Its meaning is the same everywhere, celebrating the feminine and masculine companionship, family, and love. 
Tulip motifs can be found in ancient Hungarian archeological finds as well, from the enamel of St. Crown's picture of St. Thomas, to various clothes, jewelry, everyday items, horse saddles and bows, and arrows, to the saber known as the sword of Attila. 
My mother always put the tulips on the kitchen table and nowhere else in the house. When I asked her why, she said, “The kitchen is the heart of the home where families relax and spend time together. We prepare and cook our daily meals, we eat together and share our daily experiences. Placing the tulips in the center of the home strengthens the love and harmony between family members.” 

You can read about it in my epic fantasy series where Ilona struggles to find her true love despite the obstacles placed in her path.



My next post is scheduled for April 24. I will tell you about Hungarian mythology, history, and legends that I learned from my parents and came across in my research.
You can find me and my books on various sites:
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COMMENTS

Erika M Szabo via Google+

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Symbols in Hungarian Folk-art by Erika M Szabo
The tulip in Hungarian folk-art By Erika M Szabo www.authorerikamszabo.com When I was writing my epic fantasy series, I researched Hun history which occupies the bigger part of the story, but I got sidetracked by the fascinating Hungarian folk-art that is f...
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Ruth de Jauregui

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Oh that is lovely! I didn't know any of that! As a garden writer, I can tell you how to plant and grow tulips, but I never knew the symbolism in Hungarian folk art. Thank you!
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It's fascinating to find out the symbolism in any folk-art when you do a little research :)

Joe Bonadonna

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Great research and examples of Hungarian folk-art. I love the symbolism. It infuses and inspires your writing, and enhances, gives more depth to your characters.
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It really does, Joe :)
 
+Erika M Szabo -- indeed it does. You've shown me how I can use my culture's, and others' folk-art to enhance my stories. It will also add more meaning to my use of their mythologies and folklore.

Chris Weigand

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Love it. It is so cool when our research uncovers fascinating facts.
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Thank you Chris :)

Toi Thomas via Google+

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today, Erika Szabo, tells us why the lovely Tulip is so important to Hungarian folk-art.
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Grace Au

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
A beautiful blog post behind the history of the tulip in Hungarian history. My favorite flower is the tulip and how interesting this is...I loved your mother saying they belonged in the center of the home...the kitchen. I wish that were still the case. Thanks for the lovely post.
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Thank you Grace :)
 
Fascinating!
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Thank you Joanne :)

Rebecca Tran

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Learn the hidden meaning of the Tulip on Our Author Gang with Erika Szabo.
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Nikki McDonagh shared this via Google+

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Nikki McDonagh

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Fabulous art work. Great post.
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Rich Feitelberg

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Interesting post.
 
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Rich Feitelberg shared this via Google+

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Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Erika M. Szabo​ shares the lovely symbolism of the tulip in Hungarian folk art and its connection to her writing.
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Joe Bonadonna via Google+

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today on A Small Gang of Authors, Erika M. Szabo​ talks about Hungarian folk-art -- its symbolism and how it infuses her writing.
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Bonita Gutierrez via Google+

9 months ago (edited)  -  Shared publicly
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Mary Anne Yarde

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Such an interesting post!!
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Chris Weigand via Google+

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Erika shares a little bit of Hungarian History in her exploration of the tulip
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Joanne Van Leerdam Author & Poet shared this via Google+

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Eva Pasco via Google+

9 months ago  -  Shared publicly
Joanne Van Leerdam Author & Poet originally shared this
 
Fascinating!

4 comments:

  1. Love this post! You've dug deep into research here and this culture is so rich in it's art history. So very interesting.

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