Pysanka (painted Easter egg) everlasting pearl of our people

As symbol revival of nature pysanka is known in different nations. History of it goes back into centuries Only Ukrainians were able to report clearly own imaginations about lifeТ by means of symbols and signs which it decorated by. The spring was met with pysanka , It was attribute for heathen cults. By it wheedled gods and kept off from home evils. Christians found on painted egg sign of everlasting life and pysanka became symbol of Easter’s joy «Chris is risen!» – «Indeed he is risen!».

Традиції писанкарства

There are many different traditions of pysankarstvo (painting of Easter eggs) Every locality even village had own taste according colours and ornamental motives. The etnographers aid that pysankarstvo was extended in Western part of Ukraine. Eggs were painted in one colour in East. Also existed technic of painting by geometrical vegetative thems.

Making Easter eggs was part of tradional life for Ukrainian . From the second half of Lent started to work. As rule do it before Last Thursdy in Lent with pray on heart and that nobody don’t disturb. At Easter night pysanky were sanctified in church. After it, presented close people chrtstosuyuchys (kissing by three times). Changing with somebody of pusanka means wish health, happiness and good luck.

Kinds of Easter eggs

Easter eggs according technic of making, divide acording using wax without using wax (pure pysanky). For this group is inclided:

• Krashanka – when egg for some time plunges into colouring agent. Traditionally used peels of onions, root of barberry, dry elder-berries and different herbs in Ukraine.
• Drapanka – on surface of painted egg by sharp thing scramble ornament.
• Slamenka – pattern on egg hell put by sticking on straw.
• Malovanka – eggs with drawing image on egg hells.

Pysanka differs from malovanka by drawing on egg hell symbols in shape of pattern. For that use wax and pysachok (especial equipment for drawing pysanka).

Symbols of pysanka

The sun is the most important symbol. Pysanka with sunny motives protects from disasters, bad looks, and enemies. One more important symbol is infinite –sign of life. It‘s imaged in shape of wave, grass snake or curve. The bee-keepers put pysanka under beehives that bees hive well.

In pysankarstwo were popular vegetative patterns. Oak’s leaf symbolizes power, prestige and authority. Girl’s beauty imaged in shape of sour cherry’s leaf. Branch of fir-tree symbolizes youth. Flowers – children’s face. Pysanka with flowering pattern presented for young women who didn’t have children that gladness of motherhood would come to the house .

For examlpe, deer symbolises wealth. Horse – endurance. Spider – patience and persistence. Bee – purity of soul. Birds – awaking of life.

Before drawing symbols on egg , eggs divide into figures. Rhomb symbolizes joy. Square divided into the parts– field. It’s good when those parts are four– з according number of days in Lent.

Symbolizm of pysanka isn’t only connected with signs bur also with colours:

• red– love and joy;
• green –awaking of life, revival of nature
• yellow– life and warmth ;
• dark blue – sky, water, air;
• black and brown – land;
• white – purity.

The best pysanka in which is combined 5 colours. It symbolizes family happiness. Kind of pysanka is krapanka. Places on egg hell which would be unpainted, dropped by wax. In contrast to krashanka pysanka doesn’t use for starving. They are saved in saint corner (near icons) till next Easter even more longer.

Pysanka is small wonder which preserved for the centuries . It impresses by subtlety of style and perfection of contest. Don’t allow us to forget about origin. This is unique creation maybe the most adorable visiting card for Ukraine.