Free Article: Ukrainian Easter Eggs

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The History Of Ukrainian Easter Eggs
By Audrey Sneddon

The art of making Ukrainian Easter eggs originated hundreds of years ago when the Ukrainians first accepted Christianity in 988 A.D., which gave way to different interpretations and symbolism of the Ukrainian eggs. The most popular legend about Ukrainian Easter eggs is that people decorated these eggs because they believed the eggs had great powers inside of them.

For ancient Ukrainians, decorating these eggs represented the release of the earth from winter and the arrival of spring that is associated with new life, hope and prosperity. They believed that as long as the “pysanky” (Ukrainian Easter eggs) were decorated, the goodness spring brings would prevail over all the evil throughout the earth. The symbols were designed in different shades to represent good luck and bad luck.

Although the decoration of the pysanky originated because ancient Ukrainians believed that decorating the eggs could provide them wealth, Christianity transformed this belief into more profound symbolisms, such as the Resurrection and the promise of eternal life. As a result, decorating Ukrainian Easter eggs became a part of Lenten rituals. Since then, families prepare the eggs during this season to share them with the congregation.

Some people place the Ukrainian Easter eggs they receive in their fields to improve the abundance of their crops, while other people offered the eggs in cemeteries to respect their loved ones who passed away. Some Ukrainians kept the eggs in their homes for protection, while women gave these eggs as presents for young men as a symbol of their affection.

Steps In Making Ukrainian Easter Eggs

The method used in making Ukrainian Easter eggs may look complicated, but even children can help you create these one-of-a-kind pieces of art. If you know how to make batik, creating Ukrainian eggs can be an easy process because they follow similar methods.

Draw one pattern on the egg with wax, which protects the covered areas when you apply the dye. Repeat the process with different colors of dye until you have completely colored the plain areas with different colors. Once you are done with dyeing, you can now remove the wax to reveal all of the colors you used in covering up the egg with each stage.

The colors and symbols you use on the Ukrainian Easter eggs have different meanings. For instance, black signifies remembrance, eternity and death, while white symbolizes birth, purity, ignorance and virginity. Lavender represents power, patient and royalty, while red symbolizes passion, love, beauty and enthusiasm.

Regardless of the colors and symbols you wish to express, the Ukrainian Easter egg you design will surely be an impressive and beautiful piece of craftwork once the wax is removed.

Author Details:
Audrey Sneddon writes for various web sites on a wide variety of subjects including Easter, and other holidays.

Article Source: Article Directory

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