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PYSANKY --- UKRAINIAN
EASTER EGGS
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Christian Symbols for
Ukrainian Easter Eggs |
| Devout
Ukrainian women, when beginning to decorate Easter Eggs (Pysanky),
make the sign of the cross and whisper, "God help me!" This is to
assure that the profound religious meanings symbolized in the designs shall
come to life in the people who see them on Easter morning. Here are
some of the symbolic meanings: |
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Symbolism of color:
- White - purity, birth
- Yellow - wisdom and successful
harvest
- Green - rebirth of nature and the
wealth of the animal kingdom. Also an ancient symbol for innocence.
- Blue - sky, air, good health, magic
- Orange - power, endurance, ambition
- Red - happiness, hope, passion
- Brown - good harvest, mother earth
- Purple - faith and trust
- Black - darkest time before dawn,
eternity
- Pink - success
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 Pysanky are multi-colored eggs with intricate designs of symbolic
nature. the designs are written on the egg with a stylus and melted
wax. Through a series of dye baths the egg is transformed into a
symbol of spring and resurrection. Upon the removal of the wax, the
egg is pysanka.
The name for pysanka (singular) comes from the Ukrainian word stylus.
The stylus has a little funnel on its edge. Slivers of wax are are
placed in it, heated and melted, and used for writing. Pure bees wax
is used in the writeing, as it does not rub off in the process.
Chemical powdered dyes are mixed with water and vinegar for the dye baths.
The egg is raw or blown out, never boiled.
The secret of
writing a pysanka is in the wax. Whatever the wax covers, that part
will not dye. Basic wax lines are written on a white egg and placed
into yellow dye. Now whatever the artist wants to remain yellow will
be covered with wax. The next dye bath will be orange. Again
whatever the artist wants to remain orange will be sealed with wax.
The dye bath proceeds from the lightest to the darkest. In the end,
the wax is removed by warming in the oven the egg wrapped in a cloth and
gently rubbing the wax off. To give the shell strength and the pysanka
a shine, the pysanka is varnished.
Care of the Pysanka: Keep out of the
sun. Do not store in airtight container. Keep the egg from
extreme heat or cold.
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