23 Iconic Breads Around the World

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Karavai - Russia

This ornate Russian masterpiece is a traditional wedding bread, used to bless the bride and groom before the ceremony. The top white part represents the moon, which is split in half and offered to the couple. The following slices go to the parents, and the rest of the loaf is meant to be shared with all the wedding guests. It's covered in other decorative symbols, including two birds to represent the couple, two rings to represent their bond and a periwinkle wreath that surrounds everything, as a sign of love and purity. The bread is also served on other celebratory occasions, such as housewarming parties, funerals or even just to welcome guests into one's home. Karavai can also be found in Bulgaria and Ukraine, prepared in the same way and for the same traditions.