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PYSANKY SYMBOLS AND LEGENDS

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Western Easter is on April 12th, 2009
Orthodox  Easter is on April 19th,  2009

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               Pysanka comes from the word "to write" - to pysaty. Making Easter Eggs in Ukraine dates back to thousands of years. Many Slavic groups paint eggs with their own interpretations. The writing of of Easter eggs was suppressed by the Soviets in the past century and many beautifully decorated eggs were destroyed  in museums.     
 
             The Hutsuls were not affected by this destruction of culture and have been able to maintain the tradition of making eggs; specializing in crafting and decorating real and wooden eggs. Throughout Ukraine the pysanka has enjoyed a resurgence as with other customs. Every region decorates eggs in their own distinctive style and meaning.

               Another form of the pysanky which is also very common at Easter time are the krashanky. It comes from the verb - krasyty - to color, to dye. The eggs are dyed a one single color. Years ago Ukrainians used various  varieties of plant material to color the eggs. A very popular method even now is to save onions skins for any months and then boil them in water. The eggs are dropped in later, boiled  and turn out various shades of brown.         

          From my research on material written in Ukraine starting from about 1885 and throughout the 20th century there seems to be a general consensus among scholars that symbols of Easter Eggs can be grouped into 6 main categories which are: 1) solar symbols, 2) bezkonechnyk - never ending lines, 3) plant symbols, 4) animal symbols, 5) geometric symbols and 6) Christian symbols.

           Dr. Natalie Kononenko, a professor at the University of Alberta via from the state of Virginia, gives a concise analysis of Ukrainian pysanky. She states that, "The Easter egg or pysanka has evolved from an ancient tradition that dates back millennia, literally four thousand years. Pysanky are magic. The egg itself is magic in that it resemble an inert object, and yet contains the potential for a new life, of food for those already living. When they become pysanky, eggs are become more magical  in that they are dyed. This is done using a technique similar to batik: colors are protected with beeswax from subsequent dyes, rather  than painted on. As an egg is worked, color after color disappears under the dark wax, to be magically  revealed at the end when the wax is removed. 

               Eggs are associated with springtime because the rooster is 
considered  the herald of the sun and because egg production increases in springtime. Thus, decorated eggs were believed to help the cycle of the seasons and to bring on spring and the new growth of animals and crops; the potential to bring fertility was enhanced by the symbols. The egg's drawn in wax on the egg: ears of wheat, grapes, rakes, cross-hatchings symbolizing the plowed field, pictures of chicks, rams and other  farm animals, and, of course, pictures of the sun. Decorated eggs were buried in fields to transfer their fecundity productiveness] to the earth and in houses to protect the home.     
              Archaeological excavations of these buried eggs tell us how ancient pysanky are."

                   When Ukrainians accepted Christianity in 988, the eight-pointed star, then the sign of a sungod, became a symbol of Christ.  Dots depict stars in the heavens, and also recall Mary's tears when a legend tells, Pilate refused her plea for mercy. Deer and other animals of the Carpathian Mountains signify prosperity. Waves and ribbons circling an egg, without beginning or end suggest eternity. Originally pysanky symbolized the release of the earth from the shackles of winter and the coming of spring with its promise of new hope, new life, health and prosperity. Folklore has it that a decorated egg can avert any evil, bring good crops, and help a young maiden to win the man of her desire. After the advent of Christianity, the decorated eggs took the new symbols of the Resurrection with its promise of a better world.

       Colors also have a symbolic meaning. Some examples: yellow - is the symbol of light and purity. It speaks of youth, happiness, the harvest, hospitality, love and benevolence. It is the color consecrated to the light deities and is the Christian symbol of recognition and reward. Red - the magical color of folklore is considered a positive color signifying action, fire, charity, spiritual awakening. It also glorifies the sun and the joy of life and love. In the Christian symbolism, it denotes the divine love and passion of Christ. There is more detailed information in the table below.       

                  
         I have found that over the years of selling wooden Easter Eggs  the buyers usually  ask if there is any meaning to the designs.  It is as if the eggs answer back and say, "Yes, we are decorated with much meaning and symbolism". I have  drawn a table to depict the different designs and colors and wrote the meaning  and  symbolism. It is rather basic and general.  This is in no means conclusive but it is a start for references.  There are many other interpretations of designs on pysanky throughout the different regions of Ukraine.