Rushnyk. Ritual cloth or towel. General photo

A rushnyk or rushnik is a decorative and ritual cloth. It is made of linen fabric, embroidered with red linen and colored woolen threads. There two strips of large stylized flowers and leaves, framed by a continuous zigzag along the perimeter. The ornamentation of both edges is symmetrical, but in some places small distinctive elements have been added. The embroidery composition as a whole occupies two thirds of the rushnyk, its central part is decorated only with a thin zigzag. The corners of the item are decorated with small tassels.