AN ANCIENT TRADITION...

The tradition of Ukrainian egg designing dates back to pre-Christian times in the Ukraine, originally part of the spring ritual. With the coming of Christianity in 988 A.D., the symbolic use of the eggs became integrated in the rituals of the Church. Ukrainian eggs or pysanky are traditionally done before Easter but have more recently been made into Christmas tree ornaments as well.

Symbols used on the eggs have special Christian and traditional meanings behind them, for example:

• the triangle = the Holy Trinity
• flower = love
• eight-pointed star = ancient symbol for Christ
• fish = Christianity
• rooster = fertility
• birds = wish fulfilment
• deer and horses = prosperity
• pine needles = youth and health
• oak leaves = long life
• wheat = wishes for a bountiful harvest.

The eggs are considered to bring good luck and protect the home from evil. Therefore, they are displayed in Ukrainian households throughout the year.

The intricate designs are created by a wax-resist process similar to batik. Using a heated wax stylus or kistka, fine lines can be applied to the egg to block out the design, colour by colour, as the egg is dipped in a sequence of dyes. When the design is finished, the wax is melted off and the pattern on the egg fully revealed. Depending on the detail in the design, a chicken egg usually takes 2-5 hours to complete.

For addition durability, the eggs are blown before decorating, then lacquered as a final step. Eggs can then be safely mailed across the globe.

NOTE: DO NOT DISPLAY EGGS IN STRONG LIGHT AS THIS WILL FADE THE DYES.

For more detailed information on the process visit this interesting web site: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/amorash/ukregg.html