Bulgarian Kuker

I darkened the whole scene, so my kuker would look more dramatic and mythical. I cleared some details like the martenitsi to make them more pronounced. To the bells I added rust, thus giving them an older and more ancient look. 

I think it turned out very cool and I am happy that I was able to learn a new program through this contest. It was quite the challenge for me, simply because I am new in the "3D world", but I managed to finish it and learn a lot from it!

I was not happy enough with the previous result, so I decided I am going to play a little bit more with the horns and the bells. After a lot of hours of watching tutorials and researching, I ended up with the idea to create my personal alphas and than use height and displacement masks.

I decided that I am going to model a horn and a bell in blender, than import them in ZBrush and after that create an alpha for substance painter. Although this process may sound complicated, it was actually a fast way to get a result near what I wanted without touching the mesh of the character.

I somehow managed to finish my project, but there were things that I unfortunately could not do.  Although There are little details that I did not add, I am pretty happy with the result. 

Today I played a lot with the fur, simply because I wanted better looking fur. I used height filter to add more depth and I even added the red and white treads. Unfortunately I have really big problems  the horns and the bells. I have never used the software before, so I tried looking for tutorials, but that did not help. I even tried baking a high poly mesh to the model, but the bake broke and I was left with no other choice but to count on using the displacement option. 

I even sculpted and modelled some parts in Blender, so that I know what I nearly want. Afterwards I tried using to bake it into the MeetMat model, but as I had said ...I failed at that. But no worries. I will somehow manage to do it!

So today I have done some more texturing and I even done the mask. But after a lot of tweaking and figuring out how to do everything I saw that I am at a dead end and I needed a solution. After a while I decided to make custom high poly mesh, so that the fur, the bells and the horns are more pronounced. In that way I could hopefully have a better end result(something that is nearer to what I have imagined).

Today I decided I am going to start texturing the model. I have never used the software before, so I needed to learn it. I still need to learn a lot more, but I think I would manage to finish the project. At first I thought that in substance painter I could add extra volume and thus recreate the horns, but unfortunately my ideas were not possible(or maybe only for now). After some time an idea was born in my head… I will make my Kuker a wooden totem, which could protect its owner from evil and negative influences.

Time for some explanations;). From the beginning I wanted my Mat to be a kuker. In that way I could present in maximum capacity the Bulgarian culture. Kukeri are essential for the Bulgarian tradition. It is an ancient ritual performed during the winter months, that had appeared in honor of the coming new year during Sirni Zagovezni, i.e. at the beginning, not of the calendar, but of the agricultural year, connected with the plowing of the fields. The Kuker tradition symbolizes the departure of winter and the return of new life with the arrival of warm days and is one of the oldest in our lands, dating back 6,000 years.

The costumes are made on a wooden surface and decorated with coloured threads, fabrics, pieces of broken mirrors,horns and other ornaments. Another characteristic feature of the costume is the bells hanging around the waist. Normally their number is between 50 and 60 and weigh up to 80 kg. Traditionally, each costume looks like a fur jacket from a sheep or goat.

The Kukeri masks are often large and intimidating, representing various mythical creatures and animals such as goats, bears, or demons. The purpose of wearing these masks is to chase away evil spirits, bring good luck, and ensure a bountiful harvest for the upcoming year.

I will start with the symbol of the bulls horn:

Strength and Power: In many cultures, the bull is a symbol of strength and power. The horns, being prominent features of the bull, represent this strength and might.

Fertility and Virility: Bulls are often associated with fertility and virility.

Protection and Defense: The bull's horns are also seen as instruments of protection and defense. In some cultures, the bull is a symbol of guardianship, and its horns are thought to ward off evil or protect against harm.

Harvest and Abundance: In agricultural societies, the bull and its horns can symbolize a bountiful harvest and abundance. The association with strength and hard work in plowing fields further reinforces this symbolism.

The carved owl mask:

Protection and Guardianship: Owls are sometimes seen as protectors or guardians. The idea is that their watchful eyes and nocturnal presence make them vigilant protectors against negative forces.

Spirituality and Mysticism: In some cultures, owls are considered mystical or spiritual creatures. 

Goat fur:

Connection to Nature and Earth: Goats are domesticated animals often associated with rural or agricultural settings. Goat fur may symbolize a connection to nature, earthiness, and a simpler way of life.

Protection and Warmth: In practical terms, goat fur is used to make warm clothing. Symbolically, it may represent protection and warmth, both physically and metaphorically. In this context, it could symbolize the comfort and security provided by the natural world.

Shamanic or Spiritual Connection: In certain shamanic or spiritual practices, animal fur, including goat fur, may be used in rituals or ceremonies to establish a connection with the spiritual realm. It could symbolize a link between the earthly and the divine.

The Bulgarian bell(chan):

In Bulgarian folklore, bells have specific roles in superstitions or folk beliefs. For example, they may be used in rituals believed to bring good fortune or protect against bad luck.

Warding off Evil Spirits: In the Bulgarian traditions, bells are believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits or negative energies. The sound of the bells is thought to carry a protective quality, and they are often rung during rituals or ceremonies aimed at dispelling negativity.

The red and white threads(martenitsa):

Martentsi are traditional Bulgarian adornments made of red and white threads, often with small tokens attached. They are worn in Bulgaria and other Balkan countries around the beginning of March. Martenitsi symbolize the arrival of spring and are associated with the celebration of Baba Marta (Grandmother March), a mythical figure who brings the end of winter and the beginning of the warmer season.

Welcoming Spring: Martenitsi are a symbol of welcoming spring and bidding farewell to the cold winter. The red and white colors represent the contrast between life and death, warmth and cold, and the transition from winter to spring.

Warding off Evil Spirits: In Bulgarian folklore, the red and white colors of martenitsi are believed to have protective qualities. The tradition holds that wearing martenitsi will ward off evil spirits and bring good health and fortune.

Fertility and Vitality: The red color in martenitsi is often associated with blood, life, and vitality. It symbolizes the energy and life force returning to nature with the arrival of spring.

Renewal and Rebirth: The act of exchanging martenitsi is a symbol of renewal and rebirth. The tradition involves giving and receiving martenitsi as a gesture of friendship, goodwill, and the hope for a prosperous and joyful future.

Connection with Nature: Martenitsi are deeply rooted in nature symbolism. The red and white colors are thought to represent the elements of earth and water, as well as the sun and the snow melting in the spring.

Tangling white and red thread:

Unity and Connection: Tying together red and white threads symbolizes the unity of opposites. The red thread represents life, warmth, and vitality, while the white thread symbolizes winter, cold, and purity. The act of tangling them signifies the connection between these contrasting elements, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and the eternal renewal of the seasons.

Harmony and Balance: Tangled red and white threads embody the harmony and balance between opposing forces. This balance is often seen as essential for the well-being of individuals and the natural world. The intertwining threads represent the delicate equilibrium between life and death, creation and destruction.

Protection and Good Fortune: Tying red and white threads can be seen as a protective gesture. In Bulgarian folklore, the red and white colors are believed to have apotropaic qualities, guarding against evil spirits and bringing good fortune. The act of tangling the threads may enhance this protective aspect.

//When tying a martenitsa on the wrists and the ankles it is believed that it protects the most open parts of the body from evil spirits entering the body.