The Art
The tradition of creating PYSANKY started many thousands of years ago. It dates back to the Neolithic Era, when ancient man still lived in caves, and hunted or gathered for food. Decorating eggs, a mystical object that created life, was a way of life. Preserving an animals image on the egg ensured the eminent capture of the hunted creature. Drawing plants or other objects brought that object to man. It was a way of worshipping and harboring the spirit or essence of the animal or object that was drawn. Ancient designs, predominantly white, brown, and black, are called TRYPILLIAN. These eggs have similar designs to all ancient artifacts worldwide, since all man used the natural colors of the earth, clay and ashes, and drew what they saw, swirl lines and animals.

As man evolved, and his tools became more advanced, the designs on the eggs grew more in detail. More colors emerged from man learning to create colors from different plants. The same wishes remained with the decorating of the eggs. If man wanted a good harvest, he would draw wheat on the egg. If he wished for wealth, sheep would be encorporated in the design. Man started creating eggs to give to others for well wishings. PYSANKY were given at births, engagements, weddings, sickness, anything that you would wish well for someone.

When Christianity came to Ukraine, the symbolism was encorparated to Christian meanings. The star once symbolized the pagan god Altar, and now stands for Christ and love; the cross stood for the four corners of the world, and now for Christianity. The underlying meanings all wish for love, happiness, and wealth in both the old and the new.