The Matryoshka Metaphor

A Matryoshka doll (also called Russian nested doll, babushka doll, or stacking doll) is a collection of wooden dolls of decreasing sizes laid one inside the other. The name ‘Matryoshka’ is derived from the Russian female given name ‘Matryona,’ which was a famous name among peasants in old Russia. The name Matryona is related to the word ‘mater,’ which means mother. Thus, the name Matryona is closely related with motherhood, and in turn, the matryoshka doll became a symbol of fertility. These dolls are frequently designed to follow a specific theme, such as peasant girls in traditional dresses. However, the theme can be anything, from fairytale characters to the leaders of the Soviet Union.

Matryoshka dolls are used metaphorically in what is called as the ‘matryoshka principle’ or ‘nested doll principle.’ It indicates a recognisable relationship of similar “object-within-similar-object” that shows in the design of many other natural and artificial things.

The same structure is found in onions. If the outer layer of an onion is peeled off, a similar layer of onion exists within it. This structure is used by designers in applications like the layering of clothing or the design of tables, where a smaller table sits inside a larger one and a yet smaller table within that.

The Matryoshka doll symbolises not only fertility, but also the creativity of the Russian people. It shows that Russians are truly great artists.