A special position is occupied by motanka dolls (or knotted dolls) among traditional Ukrainian souvenirs. Such old folk dolls are believed to be warding charms of the family, to keep evil spirits away. Motanka doll is not considered to be just a souvenir; it is one of the most ancient family symbols and charms of the Ukrainian family. The secrets of “how-to-make” motanka dolls were hoarded in every family. Unchanged tradition does to this day, and charming Ukrainian ladies often get their own motanka dolls as a gift.

Traditional motanka doll is made according to several criteria. First of all, motanka doll has to be handmade only. Through the warm-heartedness of mother hands motanka doll kept and preserved love and care with which it was made. Motanka dolls usually have no face. The absence of the human features in dolls’ faces is quite symbolic. The real traditional motanka doll must be faceless. There should be a cross or a ribbon in the place of the face representing the symbol of the Sun. As per ribbons on the face, it also has its own meaning. All horizontal ribbon lines mean the symbols of femininity; all vertical ones are the symbols of masculinity. It is believed that a person made motanka dolls had not to make them faces in order not to invite disasters or illnesses. Strips of fabric, pieces of cloth, coloured ribbons, scented herbs, branches, clay, wood or threads were used in making motanka dolls. Threads must be reeled clockwise, in conformity with the solstice.

For ages every Ukrainian family has such dolls as a charm. For ages Ukrainian people believed that motanka dolls help to settle or solve the problem. There were wedding motanka dolls, presented for this honorific event. There were road dolls, made on luck during the long trip. Desire dolls were believed to carry out the wish. There were and are many varieties of motanka dolls protected the house and charmed children.  A motanka doll would be given to a child whenever it got sick. And till nowadays motanka doll remains a symbol of motherhood and taking care of her child.

Since ancient times, when every mother had to do motanka dolls for their children as a charm and a kind of talisman, the village superstitions changed. Traditional motanka dolls were replaced by factory toys, such as Barbie or various baby-dolls. Today Ukrainian motanka dolls are mainly collection dolls, but they have their symbolic meaning yet.