Bulgarian thread

The Bulgarian national garb, also called ‘nosiya‘, is thousands of years old and rich in history. The naked body tattoo is the predecessor of it. With the appearance of fabrics, the tattoo ornaments were transferred to clothes, and each person embroidered their own clothing.
The embroidery ornaments symbolised the person’s social status, their wishes and needs. The embroideries were also believed to have protective powers over the person wearing them. Ancient motifs were passed down from generation to generation. The person embroidering chose what to embroider depending on the ornaments’ meaning and the type of clothing.

The type of embroidery and techniques also showed the social status and geographical location of the person who made them. Embroideries are made using natural materials like wool and cotton for threads, and hemp and cotton for fabric. They indicated what resources the person had access to and could afford in that specific region.
The embroidery style and techniques are another indicator of a person’s status, education and beliefs. They show the attitude of the person to nature, their surroundings and especially to their family. If the embroidery was more complex, it also meant that the person had more time, knowledge and resources to learn the craft.

The embroideries were always placed at the end of the garment. On the sleeves, on the beat, around the neck and the solar plexus, on the head, down at the end of the petticoat and on the girdle. It was because people believed that the ornaments had protective functions which guarded the visible borders of the body.