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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.

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.

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, 'dychobe lucma' is an oak leaf pattern.

Cultural Context

ritual; folk art

Description

Easter egg with black ground; each lengthwise half of egg has a design of 5 oak leaves in orange and white with parallel hatching arranged to create an oak leaf. A length of pine bough is hachured in centre. Round dots in red, yellow and orange. The egg is hollow and fragile. There is a hole at one end.