The Rooster

The rooster is a widely loved symbol in traditional Bulgarian embroidery and it can have many meanings depending on the use. Sometimes it can represent the idea for the male beginning and fertility or in wedding rituals the female one. The meaning of the symbolism for eternally reproducing life. The ornament is placed either individually or in symmetrical composition one against the other with a plant/flower in the middle. It is mostly used in the Samokov region on women's skirts and shirts.

When young women were ready to get married and start a family they would embroider roosters on their chest or across the length of their skirt. The peacock on the other hand, is believed to protect young brides from 'the evil eye'.

The rooster animal has been used as protection too. People believe that the crowing of the first roosters in the morning, drives away the evil creatures roaming during the night.