Sketch of costumes for "Snow Maiden" 

Nicholas Roerich sketched these costumes for "Snow Maiden" with a vision deeply rooted in Russian folklore and its potent symbols. The costumes here are adorned with motifs that speak of ancient, agrarian beliefs. Notice the repetitive circular patterns and geometric shapes. These aren't mere decorations; they're protective symbols meant to ward off evil and ensure fertility, echoing the "apotropaic" traditions found across cultures from ancient Greece to the Near East. The old man's staff, a prop of guidance and authority, is not unlike the scepters wielded by deities and rulers in classical art, symbolizing power and connection to the earth. Consider the emotional weight carried by these images. The characters, with their archaic garb and solemn expressions, evoke a sense of timelessness. This visual language stirs a collective memory, tapping into deep-seated cultural narratives and archetypes. We see a longing for a simpler, more connected past—a yearning that resonates even today. The cyclical progression of symbols, like the protective circles, continues to resurface, evolving, and taking on new meanings, proving that cultural memory is not linear but an ever-present undercurrent.