Estonians are proud of their parish colours. They are deeply engrained in our roots, history and culture. Parish colours not only appear in our national costume but are often used in day-to-day items around the home. As part of EV100 celebrations this summer, Estonians are encourage to embrace their parish colours, pick up a paintbrush and get creative! It would be such a joy to see the finished product!
Our ancestors have valued the colours of their parishes and captured them in the skirts of their folk costumes. The arrangement of the stripes is not by chance and the colours also have their own meaning. Much red has been used, which was considered to have magical qualities, healing properties and the ability to ward off evil.
Various colours were obtained from forest plants and flowers, which people of old used to know and distinguish well. Parochial skirts were never similar to others and maintained their specific regional quality. This is also the case with our people, who may not always know their exact parochial origins, but are nevertheless connected to their roots and parentage. Parish colours thereby tell us about our history, origins, beliefs and the influence of local nature, all of which is beautifully recorded in the colours of Estonian folk costume skirts.
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