The Arts in Kievan Rus'
Almost any art form that you can ascribe to Western Europe was practiced in Kievan Rus'.   The Pages here will give samples and examples of various arts of Kievan Rus.
EMBROIDERY

No Rus outfit would be complete without embroidery.  It was believed that evil spirits could enter your body through the openings of your clothing unless those openings - the hem, cuffs, and collar - were protected by embroidery, usually in red.  From the vikings, the Rus gained a love of zoomorphic shapes.  The native Slavs had a tastes for vines and flowers.  The combination led to a unique style of complex designs of flora, usually with bits of interesting fauna woven in.  Birds were a particular favorite. 

Click HERE for common motifs.

Click HERE for Animal Patterns - Horses that can be used in Rus embroidery.
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