Ryasna

Kolts haning on ryasnas found in Nizovka, Chernihiv Oblast. 12th century

Ryasna (Russian: рясна) was part of a Russian woman's headgear, hanging from a kokoshnik or as a temporal pendant.^[1]

It was a sign of family's prosperity common in the 11th–13th centuries in Kievan Rus', made in the shape of a chain linking golden, silver or copper pieces, medallions, used as a suspension for a kolt or a similar pendant.

Ryasna pearls attached to a kokoshnik

Design

Ryasnas were designed to hang down from each side of the headdress, reaching the woman's shoulders with the kolt reaching her chest. The design was in the form of a rain chain and the imagery portrayed always had the same theme: sky and fertile agriculture.

See also

• Temple ring

References

1. Merriman, Philippa (2009). Silver. UK: The British Museum. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-674-03094-7.

External links

• Women's Headdress in Early Rus by Sofya la Rus, Mka Lisa Kies