UKRAINIAN EASTER

writtenbyAnastasiia

THE HISTORY of the Easter egg as a phenomenon begins in the distant past, from the pagan cult, in which it was an important element of various rites and rituals. Pysanka is closely connected with the religious beliefs and ideas of our distant ancestors about the creation of the world, with fertility and worshiping it. The egg is a symbol of the beginning, a symbol of new life, rebirth, this meaning was known to all peoples in ancient times, and it has remained so to this day. The drawings of ancient Pysanka repeat the motifs of the painted ceramics of the Tryplian culture. In this way, the production of Pysanka was characteristic of ethnic groups of Slavs, who later received the name Ukrainians.

Tradition

According to the beliefs of our distant ancestors, the Easter egg had magical good power - it brought happiness, abundance, well-being, protected its owner from evil forces. Pysanka was sometimes buried under the ground so that the egg would make the harvest rich and generous. Easter eggs were placed on the graves of ancestors, and lovers expressed their feelings with the help of Pysanka. THE PROCESS of making an Easter egg is quite difficult. In ancient times, it was influenced by many factors, it was necessary to paint Pysanka in a clearly defined hour, having previously made a conspiracy, and signs and symbols were written in the appropriate colors.

Whatisit?

Like symbolism, colors also had a special meaning. For example: red color means life, joy, hope, love, for those still unmarried, it brings hope for a wedding, that a couple will be found Yellow color is the moon, stars, in the economy it means the harvest. Blue is associated with the sky, air, its magical meaning is health. Green - resurrection, rebirth of nature, its wealth and generosity, fertility, rich harvest. The combination of black and white colors speaks of respect for the departed souls, thus to the spirits, expressing gratitude for their help and protection from evil spells. A combination of several colors in patterns (four or five colors) means happiness in the family, peace and love, success and prosperity.

CREATIVITY AND A CRAVING FOR DIVERSITY SPURRED UKRAINIANS TO CREATE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES AND PATTERNS FOR PAINTING EGGS.

PYSANKA drawn with wax and paints

KRASHANKA painted with improvised materials

DAPANKA scratching a picture on a colored egg shell

KRAPANKA painted with dots from the Ukrainian word krapka-dot

writtenbyAnastasiia