Easter is gone for another year but with care these eggs will last for many years.
I was prompted to write this blog when first I heard a talk on CBC radio and then on Facebook I saw the beautiful eggs that a friend had made almost 20 years ago. I just had to know more about them.
Unlike our own pale colored eggs with what seems to be meaningless dots, squiggles and stripes (or maybe there is meaning behind those too?) the Ukrainian eggs are loaded with hidden messages expressed with Pre Christain symbols dating back to Pagan times.
Even the very deep coloring carries meaning. I hope I will not be stepping on any copyrighted toes here if I copy this from the web while giving credit to the site under Sources below
"Motifs in designs are usually abstract representations of actual objects, creatures, etc.
Here are some of the symbolic meanings for colors used in decorating pysanky:
Sources: Ukrainian Design Book 1, Ukrainian Design Book 2, Eggs Beautiful.
As you can imagine creating one of these eggs is a lengthy process but with care they can last many years as my friend's little clutch did.
I have copied the CBC information here and hope that you can hear the audio clip as well.
Every Easter, we see them. Those colourful, intricately illustrated Ukrainian eggs. They're called pysanky. Those little drawings on the eggs; the flowers, lines and stars are actually symbols with very specific meanings. Although now pysanky are made to celebrate Easter, the tradition actually pre-dates Christianity.
Gerry Zerebecky lives in Saskatoon. She is a pysanky artist and enthusiast. You can find Gerry's eggs at the gift shop of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon. Gerry explained the process of creating the designs and what they mean in a conversation with Sonali Karnick.
Sources
http://www.learnpysanky.com/symbols.html
I was prompted to write this blog when first I heard a talk on CBC radio and then on Facebook I saw the beautiful eggs that a friend had made almost 20 years ago. I just had to know more about them.
Unlike our own pale colored eggs with what seems to be meaningless dots, squiggles and stripes (or maybe there is meaning behind those too?) the Ukrainian eggs are loaded with hidden messages expressed with Pre Christain symbols dating back to Pagan times.
Even the very deep coloring carries meaning. I hope I will not be stepping on any copyrighted toes here if I copy this from the web while giving credit to the site under Sources below
 |  |  |  |  |
| Ladders prosperity, or prayer. | Pine Needles health, stamina, eternal youth. | Crosses Christ, or the Four Corners of the World. | Wheat wishes for good health and a good harvest. | The Sun and Stars life, fortune, growth. |
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| Deer, Horses, and/or Rams wealth and prosperity. | Fish Christianity | Curls defense or protection. | Roses love, caring. | Poppies beloved Ukrainian art motif, symbolizing joy and beauty. |
 |  |  |  |  |
| Triangles trinities, eg.: air, fire, & water; the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit; heaven, earth, & hell. | The Saw fire, life-giving heat (also known as Wolves' teeth, symbolizing loyalty and wisdom). | Birds fulfillment of wishes, and fertility. The bird is always shown at rest, never flying. | Nets Christ's reference to becoming "fishers of people". | Ribbons everlasting life, and water. |
Sources: Ukrainian Design Book 1, Ukrainian Design Book 2, Eggs Beautiful.
For further info on symbols and color meanings, check out Wikipedia
As you can imagine creating one of these eggs is a lengthy process but with care they can last many years as my friend's little clutch did.
I have copied the CBC information here and hope that you can hear the audio clip as well.
The art of writing Pysanky (Ukranian Easter eggs)
Every Easter, we see them. Those colourful, intricately illustrated Ukrainian eggs. They're called pysanky. Those little drawings on the eggs; the flowers, lines and stars are actually symbols with very specific meanings. Although now pysanky are made to celebrate Easter, the tradition actually pre-dates Christianity.Gerry Zerebecky lives in Saskatoon. She is a pysanky artist and enthusiast. You can find Gerry's eggs at the gift shop of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon. Gerry explained the process of creating the designs and what they mean in a conversation with Sonali Karnick.
Sources
http://www.learnpysanky.com/symbols.html
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