Pysanka traditions: specific features in different regions of Ukraine

Though pysanka is related to Ukrainian culture and Easter nowadays, archeologists find it in the settlements of Kyivan Rus long before Volodymyr the Great baptized it in 988. What is more, they are proven to be popular in the Roman Empire, Ancient Greece, Persia and some countries of Asia and Africa which had nothing in common either with Christianity or Ukraine.

Those were not always poultry eggs (chicken or goose). They could be made of clay, stone, ceramics, wood and even gold.

pysanka

Decorated eggs: historical background

As for the Ukrainian territory, its inhabitants used to create pysankas long before they embraced the religion imposed by Prince Volodymyr. The fact testifies that it is not a typically Christian habit. It is rather a compromise of the Orthodox Church to pagan customs to glorify the egg as the symbol of birth, beginning of life and revival of nature in spring.

Also, the aim of such activities was the same for many nations – to bring welfare, good health, to protect from evil spirits. In Kievan Rus, such things with small stones inside were used in rituals as rattles. At the dawn of times, everything started with solar and water symbols to attract the sun and enough rain to secure great yields.

colored eggs

Pysanka: peculiarities all over Ukraine

There have been over 100 types of symbolic drawings found. Pysanka ornaments echo with those on embroidery building up the system of symbols and meanings. They embrace geometric components, floral and animal patterns, cosmic signs. Surprisingly, even swastika/svarga elements existed in the Slavic authentic customs. Later, the decor involved Christian motifs including crosses and depicting churches and scenes from the Bible.

Historically, the phenomenon to embellish pysankas is best developed in the west of Ukraine. What is more, it never faded there also during the Soviet times when this craft was prohibited and disobeying artisans were punished.

symbolic drawings

In the given art, general tendencies can be traced alongside with the imagination of each individual master. Nevertheless, products from different territories can be recognized owing to their peculiarities:

The Lemkiv area is known for bright one or two-tone items (orange, red, green, white, yellow, blue). The signs include the sun, roses, crosses and stars. Black is not characteristic here, unlike in the Boykiv region, with stars, curves, spirals and svargas on the black background

the lemkiv signs

The Hutsuls enjoyed yellow shades alongside with the dark palette, with typical colours correlated to their particular symbols (green implying life, red – power, yellow – wealth, white – purity). Artisans here employ geometrical patterns as well as floral and animal features (birds, deer, oak leaves, spikelets)

Hutsuls symbols

Pysankas are adorned with geometrical components of green, red and yellow in the south. The Black Sea area (Odessa in particular) is famous for the combinations of green and blue, green and yellow, red and black. They are marked with water signs – curves and parallel lines

the black sea area symbols

Big geometric ornaments painted on black or deep red are popular in the Bukovina region

bukovina pysanka sumbols

Basically, there are only a few artisans involved in this craft in the east of the country. The Easter artworks of this area may include trees (oaks), leaves, flowers (tulips and carnations), mills, rakes, etc.
In Vinnytsia, large bright patterns contain floral elements and geometrical ones (curves, zigzags, parallel lines, spirals, swastikas, broken crosses)
The Kharkiv eggs usually possess big deep red and green ornaments (floral and solar) on the black background

multicolored pysanka

In the Zhytomyr region, the characteristic feature is the mirror symmetry visually divided into four parts adorned with bells, tulips, and roses

zhytomyr region

Ukrainian pysanka: share your joy with others

As of now, it is known worldwide and is represented in the largest museums in London, Prague, Krakow, St Petersburg, not to mention the Ukrainian Pysanka Museum in Kolomiya.

pysanka museum

Since they are crafted with a pure heart, the best wishes and have protecting properties, there is a good tradition to present each other with died or painted Easter eggs and to have some at home for the sake of the good and good luck.

Chicken eggs have a comparatively short life, that’s why people create wooden goods which will guard your well-being for the years to come.

You may choose handmade souvenirs Easter eggs here! The Three Snails team wishes you a happy Easter! May you and your close people be blessed with the holiday spirit and one of the greatest joys of the Christian world!

Used sources:

lovelylife.in.ua

prashhur.com

linguana.com.ua

March 26, 2018 | View: 2325 | Categories: Culture

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