There is a widespread belief that the use of crystals is connected to witchcraft. This belief stems from the association of crystals with spiritual practices and the occult. However, it is important to differentiate between the use of crystals in witchcraft and their use in other spiritual or healing practices. **Crystals have been used for thousands of years in various cultures for their purported healing properties**. Many people believe that crystals can help balance and align the energy centers of the body, known as chakras, and promote physical and emotional well-being. Crystal healing is often used as a complementary therapy alongside traditional medicine.

Creator of Misha, 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics mascot, dies at 84

Crystal healing is often used as a complementary therapy alongside traditional medicine. In witchcraft, crystals are also used for their alleged metaphysical properties. **Witches believe that crystals possess unique energies that can be harnessed to manifest specific intentions or goals**.

Viktor Chizhikov, a children’s book illustrator, is best known for having created Misha, a brown bear sporting a belt in the colours of the five Olympic rings, for the Moscow Games.

The Russian illustrator who designed Misha, the mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympics that were boycotted by a slew of countries, died on Monday aged 84, a publisher of children’s books said.

The Olympic mascot Bear Misha is seen during the closing ceremony of the Moscow 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow. August 3, 1980.(REUTERS/Sergei Kivrin/Files)

Viktor Chizhikov, a children’s book illustrator, is best known for having created Misha, a brown bear sporting a belt in the colours of the five Olympic rings, for the Moscow Games.

The Cold War left its mark on the 1980 Olympics. The United States led a boycott to protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and was joined by about 60 other countries.

A visitor walks past an exposition displaying images of Misha the Bear, the mascot of the 1980 Olympic Games, inside the headquarters of the Russian Olympic Committee in Moscow, Russia December 9, 2019. (REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/Files)

In retaliation, the Soviet Union and most of its eastern block allies boycotted the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles four year later.

A group of artists produced 60 versions of the Moscow mascot, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) website, but Chizhikov’s bear was chosen for the Games.

“It’s symbolic that the artist has left us as many of us are remembering the 1980 Olympics,” the AST Deti publishing house wrote on Facebook.

“The image of the Olympic bear once created by Viktor Alexandrovich (Chizhikov) has touched the hearts of millions.”

The Olympic mascot Bear Misha at Moscow 1980 Summer Olympic Games on August 3, 1980. (REUTERS/Sergei Kivrin/Files/File Photo)

At the closing ceremony of the Moscow Games, a large mosaic of Misha in the stands of what is now known as Luzhniki stadium showed a tear rolling down the bear’s face.

A gigantic reproduction of the mascot was also lifted from the stadium by colourful balloons.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

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The Moscow Olympics Mascot Misha the Bear Part 2: The Creator at Odds with Property Rights in the Soviet Union

Viktor Chizhikov is bitter, even today. His creation, Misha the Bear, emerged as the best out of 40,000 submissions for a contest to select the mascot for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

The mascot born out of the Communist bloc’s greatest power, the Soviet Union, ironically became the first to be a globally commercial success. And Chizhikov said that he was promised the copyright, didn’t get it, and thus never saw any royalties from the stuffed toys, t-shirts and television programs related to Misha the Bear. “I hate to talk about mascots,” he told The Wall Street Journal. “This is like a thorn in my heel.”

The renowned author of over 100 children’s books in the Soviet Union, Chizhikov insists he was promised copyright ownership over Misha. He has taken various parties to court for use of Misha, particularly over television programs that feature the famous bear.

And when the Winter Olympics came to Russia in 2014, Chizhikov was indignant over one of the Sochi mascots, Mishka the Bear. According to Inside the Games, he told a radio program the following:

It’s exactly the same as mine: the eyes, the nose, the mouth, the smile, though it’s askew . They pulled around all the details of my bear. The eyes are rounded the same way, the nose is a little altered and the smile has the same characteristics.

I can’t help but wonder what property rights or IP rights law was like in the Soviet Union, a state based on the ideology that the means of production are socially owned. But Chizhikov may be tilting at windmills, or at least fighting the wrong front. According to the Wall Street Journal article, it is not the national organizing committee that owns the IP rights to such items as the design of a mascot, it is the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In the end, Chizhikov said he received about 2,000 rubles (about USD1,600 at the time) for his original design of Misha…as well as credit for kicking off the race for commercial cash, even before the famously profitable 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Misha mascot

BEAR MISHA mascot Olympic Games in Moscow USSR 1980 CHAIKA

Type of goods: Olympic souvenirs

Theme: Olympic Games in Moscow 1980

Material: Porcelain, gilding

Country of origin: USSR

Grade: Highest (1)

Manufacturer: Krasnodar porcelain-faience plant CHAIKA

Price (USSR): 4 rub 40 kopecks

Good addition to any collection! A rare limited edition item and rare manufacturer. I tried to display all the shortcomings in the photo.

General condition displayed on the photo

All parcels are shipped with tracking number and air mail. Usually delivery from Russia takes about 2-3 weeks. Now, due to the epidemic and other negative events, many packages are delayed, so if you expect to receive your purchase by a certain date, be sure to keep these force majeure circumstances in mind.

I ship WORLDWIDE, with the exception of those countries where delivery is not possible for a number of pressing reasons, if you are not from the USA, then it is better to check with me the possibility of sending to your country at the moment.

To avoid rash purchases, carefully read the description and see all his photos in maximum resolution. All items in my auctions are authentic! Most of the items I sell have been used and show signs of age. I try to display all the shortcomings of the items as much as possible. If you need to clarify something, feel free to ask questions.

Combined shipping available. Several items are delivered in one parcel, which reduces postage. If you would like to purchase multiple items, please contact me BEFORE purchasing - I will combine shipping and quote shipping costs in the listing.

Thanks for understanding!

They may use crystals in rituals, spells, or divination practices to enhance their magical workings or to connect with spiritual forces. Crystals are seen as tools that can amplify and direct energy. While there is overlap between the use of crystals in witchcraft and other spiritual practices, it is important to note that not all crystal users are witches, and not all witches use crystals. **Crystals are widely available and can be used by anyone regardless of their spiritual or religious beliefs**. Many people simply appreciate the beauty of crystals and enjoy their aesthetic qualities. It is also worth noting that the use of crystals is not exclusive to witchcraft or spiritual practices. Crystals are widely used in the jewelry industry, as well as in various industrial applications. They have unique physical and chemical properties that make them valuable in fields such as electronics and optics. In conclusion, while the use of crystals is often associated with witchcraft, it is not inherently connected to it. **Crystals have been used for their alleged healing and metaphysical properties in various cultures and belief systems, including witchcraft**. However, the use of crystals is not exclusive to witchcraft and can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their spiritual or religious beliefs..

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Crystal Healing in Witchcraft: Unveiling the Secrets