One of the first woven patterns - Thistle!
In folk magic, this plant has long been recognized as the strongest amulet. It was believed that the thistle reliably protects against damage and the evil eye, magic spells and dark spells, and hung over the doors of the house, it guarantees its inhabitants complete immunity from evil spirits.
Even now, we sometimes see it as an ornament or a symbol all around us, not just as a wild plant.
Consciously or not, people sometimes hang it in their cars and decorate their homes with it.
But the thistle is deservedly recognizable and famous not only in Russia. It is also famous as the emblem of Scotland.
The Scottish highlanders have special love and gratitude for him, whose glorious ancestors he once saved from death, playing the role of a vigilant sentry. There are several legends, but they all agree on one thing. I will tell you one of the legends.
This story dates back to the 8th century, when Europe, having become acquainted with the fury of the merciless Normans, shuddered with horror.
The Danes, the most ferocious of the Vikings, landed one unfortunate day on the east coast of Scotland. The Scottish highlanders, separated from them by the river, were not particularly worried, believing that the enemy would not force the river at night. The light of the fires on the opposite bank had a calming effect on the weary warriors, who made a swift march - a throw to the coast. One by one, they fell into a deep sleep, not even suspecting how much chance they had to wake up dead. Having lulled the vigilance of the Scots with false inaction, the Danes, who had scouted the fords in advance, crossed the river that same night. Approaching the unguarded sleeping camp, the Danes took off their shoes and silently followed on.
There would have been an end to the careless Scotts, but it so happened that in the darkness the enemies landed their bare feet in a thistle thicket. There were screams and curses that woke the sleeping warriors. The Scotts grabbed their axes and swept the lame barefoot army into the river with a friendly onslaught.
Since then, the thistle savior has become an idol for the Scots.
Many beautiful slings are woven with this pattern. Both for babies and heavy children.