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Ukrainian Museum of Folk Art and Craft: Easter Eggs
Pysanky
Ukrainian Easter Eggs
The
tradition of decorating eggs ( made "pysanky") has its roots in pre Christian
times. They were used for fortune telling, healing, witchcraft. Also they
were used in revival ceremonies of nurture. The day, when people celebrate
the coming of Spring and sing songs to the Sun, was called Valykden' ("Big
Day"). The Christianity has kept the same tradition of decorating eggs
for Easter Sunday (Valykden' - in Ukrainian language), and for this reason
we call decorated eggs Easter eggs. Today Easter eggs are used for decoration
Easter baskets and tables for feasts of Easter. The easter baskets, filled
with food, are part of ceremony on Easter Sunday Mass when priests
sprinkle Holy Water and bless the baskets.
The decorated eggs are different
by color and design. White color symbolizes purity and Ester eggs with
totally white background were placed on graves of young children. The yellow
color is color of the Moon and the Stars and symbolizes a successful
harvest and wisdom. The red color means the Sun , happiness in life, hope,
and passion. The brown color represents the color of soil and color of
mountains. The color combination of black and white represent
protection from evil. There are some symbols on Easter eggs: suns, stars,
birds, triangles, circles, trees, spiders, animals, harts. The crosses
as symbol appeared later in the Christian time.
If you like to buy some Easter eggs, go to Display Room web page.
The Symbols of Easter Eggs
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The sun is the most ancient and widely used symbol. The source of light
and life, the Sun originally had magical meaning and was considered as
God in pre Christian times. |
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The star represents success. Stars are represented with even
numbers, six or eight points because even number foretells a good
fortune. |
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The bird represents spring, good harvest, and the "pushing away" of
evil. Often only a part of the bird is included in the design: beak,
eye, cone, feet, wing or head. |
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The fruits and vegetables mean not only good harvest, they mean a good
life. The designs is used symbolically to beckon all plant
life to grow and ripen more quickly. |
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The animal symbolizes prosperity and wealth. This design has
a positive effect on farm animals and their good health. |
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The forty triangles on an egg represent the many faces of life:
birth of children, weddings, travel, farming, animal husbandry, and strength.
In Christian times forty triangles has new meaning; they represent the
forty days of Lent, the Forty days of Christ's fasting, and the forty
martyrs. |
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The circles protect from evil. Evil cannot
penetrate circle because circle has no beginning and no end.
Eggs decorated with many circles are used as protection from family
betrayal. |
Hutsul's Easter Eggs
Kolomyia's
museum collection of Easter Eggs counts up to two thousands. The
specifics of Hutsul ornamental design are clear graphic drawing, variety
of topics: geometrical, vegetarian, and animalistic. There are some examples
of Easter Eggs from museum collection. The specific features of Easter eggs made in Bukovyna region (you can see an example on picture the collection from Vygenka village) are the rich colors and herbal and geometric ornaments. The line divided surface of the egg shell on two oe three parts and fill with flowers, stars, crosses... The ornaments of Easter eggs from villages of Kolomyia region are simple herbal topics on dark red and dark brown surface. One of the most interesting collections
is collection from Kosmach village. This collection made in warm
colors yellow, orange, red; and suns, stars, fishes,
deer are major elements of this collection. The collection from village
Zamagoriv made by I. Semchuk is original by colors, and design, and
made in pink, gold and green colors on dark brown background.
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| Easter Eggs from Vygenka Village |
Easter Eggs from Kolomyia's Region |
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| Easter Eggs from Kosmach Village |
Easter Eggs Made by I. Semchuk |
If you like to buy some Easter eggs made by temporary artist, go to Display Room web page.
Back to the Museum web page.
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