Korovai is a traditional Ukrainian bread most often used at weddings where it has great symbolic meaning.
Traditionally a large round braided bread, baked from wheat flour and decorated with decorated with flowers, birds, branches, etc. Each decoration has a meaning; for example, birds represent the happy couple being wed. The birds with the folded wings represent the women and the birds with spread wings represent the men because the man is the protector and provider of the family.
Two birds, made out of dough, represent the couple, and other birds represent family and friends. The entire arrangement is surrounded by a wreath of periwinkle, a symbol of love and purity.
It comes from a long practiced tradition and is a very important part of Ukrainian wedding ceremonies. The korovai receives blessings before it is placed in the oven for baking. It is present through the entire wedding, so when the couple goes to church to get blessed, the Korovai is taken with and is put near the altar. After the ceremony, the Korovai is moved to where the married couple will celebrate with friends and family. Once there, it is divided amongst the guests, and the bride and groom, blessing the couple with a long, happy and prosperous marriage.
