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Narrative

From the Mykhalylo Huculak Hutzulian Folk Art Collection. They are made by resist dying with bees wax applied in various layers and melted off.

Cultural Context

ritual; folk art

Description

Easter egg with light brown background sectioned into four lengthwise quarters which are again sectioned into halves with white lines. Each section has a yellow crosshatched diagonally with an abstract flower on each side. The flowers consist of five yellow dots with green and with a red centre dot. They are in all eight sections. Egg is hollow and fragile. There is a tiny hole in one end of the egg.

Iconographic Meaning

The decorations on pysanka eggs symbolize hope, happiness and protection from evil. When a women is in the process of making the egg, goodness is said to be transferred to the design and to the household. This design is 'kpymi cmeskku?y' which means steep paths.

History Of Use

Pysanka (decorated eggs) are a traditional folk art with pre-Christian roots. Eggs in early times were associated with sun worship, with the yolk representing the sun, and whites the moon. Eggs were used to greet the Spring. Greeting the Spring is still important, however. Easter is their most important association. These eggs are considered benevolent talisman. Children receive light coloured eggs with floral designs. Teenagers are given eggs with blank spaces to represent lives yet to be lived. Married couples receive 40 triangle eggs representing all aspects of their lives together. Older persons are given eggs with black belts, ladders and gates representing heavenly bridges. The eggs are made at night by gatherings of mentally and physically purified women. They are given and exchanged in many contexts.