Ukrainian Easter Egg tradition carries on in Canora

CANORA – “Almost every year we get two or three new people showing up. It’s nice to be able to pass on the tradition that way.”

Audrey Hrycak was the instructor of the Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs) Writing Workshop in Canora on April 11 at the Ukrainian Heritage Museum. Hrycak said one of the main goals of holding the workshop each year is to understand that “Pysanky is the stories of our Ukrainian culture and to pass it on to future generations.

“We don’t say we’re painting these eggs, we’re writing them,” she said. “You’re telling the story you want to tell.

“First, divide your eggs according to what you need to tell your story.

“Work your kistka (writing tool) in the burning candle, stick it in the wax, melt the wax and then put in your lines on in white with your kistka.”

Following the white, yellow, then orange, gradually getting darker until the black is added as the last colour, if needed.

The book Eggs Beautiful: How to make Ukrainian Easter Eggs by Ann Kmit and Loretta Luciow was provided as a source of information and ideas for participants, including the following.

Sparkling colours burst forth from the decorated shell of a Ukrainian egg in a miracle of beauty.

Well over 2,000 years ago, before the time of Christ, people were carrying on the custom of decorating eggs. In creating these delicate treasures, the peasant folk were influenced by the belief that great power is embodied in the egg and they decorated eggs in the spring to celebrate the warming of the sun as it brought new joy and vigor to life.

Christian beliefs

With the introduction of Christianity to Ukraine in 988 A.D., the “sun” became the “Son” and the ancient customs were absorbed into the Christian celebration of Christ’s resurrection. On Easter the triangle designs on the eggs which had represented air, fire and water now became the symbols for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The old supernatural powers in the decorated eggs were gradually attributed to almighty God. The new meanings blended so harmoniously with the old that even today the mixture of pagan and Christian symbolism can be seen in the designs.

Ukrainian symbols and designs

The smooth, symmetrical shape of the egg lends itself to the beautiful patterns which have developed over the centuries. The Pysanky were exchanged on Easter morning between friends and relatives, much as valentines are given as tokens of love today. If, for example, a friend was a farmer, he might be presented with an egg decorated with shafts of wheat wishing him a bountiful harvest. There might also be rakes and other tools incorporated into the design. These would signify their “wish” for him to practice the art of farming with success.
Yong married couples would often be presented with an egg decorated with a chicken design. Since the chicken is a symbol of fertility, it was hoped that the family would grow in number.

Since the “wishes” would vary from one year to another and from one egg to another, the design would develop into an ever-changing combination of colour and motifs. It is somewhat difficult to say that the sun always meant “good luck.” Sometimes it did, but it also represented life, warmth, and growth. Often it depended on the idea in the egg-maker’s mind, or even the region of Ukraine from which he or she came, for its true meaning.

Some other symbols used, and their meanings, include: