Natural pattern and ornament in the Buryats’ traditional culture

The article has examined the Buryat ornament as a sphere of artistic creativity universal for all peoples of the world. The attempt has been made to study the genesis of the ornament phenomenon taking into consideration history and ideology. The authors consider symbolic meaning of the natural patterns that make up the Buryat ornament, their expressive content, and also functions that have utilitarian and sacred significance besides aesthetic.