In the life of Slavs we come across a large number of ritual breads, it is noticeable that a lot of them are decorated in various ways. They can be adorned by dough figures or patterns inscribed with forks, bones or specially created wooden stamps. This kind of stamps are most common among Balkan Slavs, the item would be called "lopar", "šaralica", "krušno slovo" or "slovo". Out of the indigenous folk motives stand out different solar symbols such as rosette, an equilateral cross or swastika. These symbols are aimed at heightening the magical meaning of the bread itself and emphasizing its connection with the Sun and the otherworld from which all fertility springs.
Sources: Петар Костић , Збирка шаралица за обредне хлебове у етнографском музеју у Београду, Гласник Етнографсог музеја у Београду, књ. 30, стр. 91-112. Picture: “Lopar” from Pag
