| Oberig (from Ukrainian "bereg" - "shore"),- the thing one has to keep "o-berig" ("by the shore", "by your side") means "an object that protects a person from trouble" and consists of any object intended to bring good luck and/or protection to its owner. The word is similar to amulet, or talisman. While usually amulets include: gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, in Ukrainian and Slavic tradition oberig often includes herbs, vegetables, animals, household utensils.
Common oberigs:
A cow - as a symbol of wellbeing
A pig - a symbol of prosperity
A cat - a house guard
a horse - a symbol of diligence
a stork, a horseshoe, a cock - symbols of happyness
a bell, a jar - dreams coming true
a mill - a symbol of movement, life
a sunflower - a symbol of sun
a garlic, an oat - protects from evil
a corn - financial prosperity
beans in a nest - money in a family
medical herbs - symbol of vitality and health
a boxwood, a brier - a symbol of beauty and youth
a brush - a symbol of clean house and pure spirit
Also vyshyvanka and pysanka widely used as oberig
Nowadays the name "Oberig" is used in Ukrainian trademarks and company names, such as IT outsourcing company Oberig.com, hotel Oberig, real estate agency 'Oberig" etc.
Source: http://www.slovnyk.net/?swrd=%D0%9E%D0%B1%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%96%D0%B3 |