Clothes as Symbolic and Magic Objects in Slavic Childbirth Customs
Clothes as Symbolic and Magic Objects in Slavic Childbirth Customs

Summary/Abstract: The paper analyzes the practical, symbolic, and magic functions of female, male, and babies’ clothes in Slavic childbirth-lore. Traditional clothes and their parts are seen as “objects and signs” (see, e.g., Bogatyrev 2007), and their cultural semantics and symbolism depend on the ritual situation, its performers, and magic goals. Each item of clothing has its own practical significance and acquires symbolic qualities which can be interpreted in terms of semiotic oppositions (life/death, lucky/unlucky, healthy/unhealthy, male/female, old/young). Special attention is paid to swaddles as the baby’s first item of clothing. In the conclusion, the modern shift in attitudes to pregnancy clothing is analyzed, though it is noted that some authentic beliefs regarding clothes are still observed.

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