UKRAINIAN EASTER EGGS OR PYSANKY OR PASANKA CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS FOR UKRAINIAN EASTER EGGS


Devout Ukrainian women, when beginning to decorate Easter eggs (pysanky), make the sign of the cross and whisper "God help me!" This is to assure that the profound religious meanings symbolized in the designs shall come to life in the people who see them on Easter morning. Here are some of the symbolic meanings.
  • 1. Ribbon or Belt-either around the egg or lengthwise, means "the endless line of eternity."
  • 2. Dots or Small Circles- stars or constellations.
  • 3. Little Sieve or Net. suggest "fishing for men"
  • 4. Little Baskets or Triangles- symbolizes Holy Trinity
  • 5. Ladders suggest prayer.
  • 6. Rose or Eight Pointed Star- ancient symbol for Christ
  • 7. Cross-of many shapes means the four corners of the world, also, the resurrection of the Savior.
  • 8. Leaf or Flower, suggest life and growth
  • 9. Pine Needles- suggest long life, youth and health.
  • 10. Fish-ancient symbol for Christ
  • 11. Deer and Horses-wealth and prosperity.
  • 12. Birds-fertility and fulfillment of wishes.
  • 13. Grapevine- Good fruits of the Christian life.
  • 14. Butterfly-symbol of the resurrection.

Other motifs: a. ears, b. windmill, c. sun, d.rake, e. rooster's comb, f. church, g. ram's horns, h. wheat, i. spider, j. goose feet

PYSANKY AND KRASHANKY Some of the most beutiful Easter eggs in the world originated in the Slavic nations. In the Ukrane, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and other countries of Central Europe. there are two kind of Easter eggs. One is a solid, brilliantly colored hard boiled egg which may be eaten. The Ukranians call these eggs "krashanky" from a word which means "color". Krashanky are often dyed red in honor of the blood which Christ shed on the cross at Calvary. These are the eggs which are used to break the long Lenten fast, for exchange with one's friends and in Easter games. Many peasants believe that krashanky have healing powers. They also use them to ward off certain kinds of evil.
Another traditional style of Easter eggs, "pysanky" are frequently exquiste works of art. This process gets its name from a Ukrainian verb, "pusaty", to write. This describes how the eggs are decorated. The designs are literally written on the eggs with special stylus dipped in melted beeswax. The process is closely related to batik.
The art of pysanky actually goes back well before the beginnings of Christianity. Although records date no further back than the thirteenth centry, many of the motifs, or characteristic design patterns, have been traced to the neolithic age.
BATIK PROCESS EGGS Regardless of where pysanky originated, there are certain designs which are commonly used in decorating them. The significance may change from village to village, but the basic motifs remain much the same. Pysanky designs are usually intended to suggest a thing rather than picture it exactly. They are divided into classifications: geometric, plant, and animals and other creatures. These are some of the more frequently seen pysanky designs. Keep them in mind when planning your own eggs.
GEOMETRIC A checkerboard or sieve. This is used for filling in borders.
CIRCLE Circle, poppy, and spiderweb. They represent the sun and are the symbols of good fortune.
THE CROSS This is religious today, but was originally a pagan symbol.
DOTS These may be specks, circles, or ovals. They are used for stars or for Mary's tears.
HORNS Horns, bends or spirals and maidens.
LADDERS Ladders, these are used as filler with other designs, especially crosses. They are never seen alone.
LITTLE BASKETS again used as fillers
RIBBON OR BELT This means eternity.
SPOONS AND LEAVES. Spoons stand alone, while leaves come in twos and threes.
EASTER EGGS FOR EVERYONE Star and rose. They are alike except in use. Stars stand alone, roses are used in combination with other motifs.
TRIANGLE This represents any trio. The Trinity, the element (air fire and water) etc.
PLANT This stands for love and charity
PINE TREES OR WHEAT Pines mean eternal youth and health wheat means the same, and also means bountiful harvest.
THE TREE Variations of the Pine
ANIMALS AND OTHER CREATURES Duck's and hen's feet. These are essentially alike except for the webbing between the duck's toes.
BUTTERFLIES
BIRDS Hens, roosters, sparrows, and storks. Birds are always at rest. The hen stands for fulfillment of wishes.
RAMS HORNS They are used with a geometric motif.
SPIDERS No attempt is made at realism.
HORSE OR REINDEER These symbolize wealth and prosperity.
FISH The fish is an ancient Christian Symbol. They are not as frequently used on pysanky as some other motifs.
PYSANKY DIVISIONS USUALLY USED FOR DIVIDING THE EGGS INTO SECTIONS A double line down the center of the egg, either vertical or horizontal.
A cross-double line both vertical and horizontal
VERTICAL MEDALIONS Two double lines shaped in an arc at each side of the egg.
BASKET Double horizontal lines with vertical double lines bisecting the horizontal lines and going vertically down the remainder of the egg.
HORIZONTAL TRIPARTITION Three horizontal double lines separating the egg into three sections.
WHEEL Wheel at either end, Barrel in the middle double lines arcing across both ends of the egg.
BACKGROUNDS Some Pysanky (Pasanka) eggs are done with backgrounds in black, others are in colors, especially where eggs are divided into 4 sections or medallions are used. These usually have geometric baskets, ladders etc. filling in the background with the colors peeking through.
Notes by me: I have attempted to give you a sampling of what pysanky eggs are all about. Living in a section of the country where a large contingent of the popualce are from Slavic countries, I have seen many gorgeous pysanky eggs. Some are painted on the blown out shells of eggs but a great many are painted on wooden egg shapes. This is done to preserve the patterns and designs from the past. I hope this article helps you in designing your eggs and gives you some idea of the meanings behind the patterns used by the Slavic peoples.
nebraskalassie



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