Julia Lasica celebrates the Ukrainian decorated Easter eggs known as pysanky

There are many ways in which we Ukrainians are battling Russia’s genocidal war against us. Whether it’s fighting on the front lines, aiding partisan warfare in the occupied regions, or amplifying calls on the international community for more help, Ukrainians understand that this war is fought on all fronts.

However, this Easter, there is one extra way to resist. This is through the making of pysanky. These are decorated Ukrainian Easter eggs that are traditionally created by women at the beginning of the spring season, from February to Easter Day. The word “pysanky” comes from the Ukrainian verb “to write” or “to inscribe”. So to make a pysanka is to “write” a prayer for peace and prosperity using symbols such as plants and animals.

The first egg laid by a hen is taken and checked over for any bumps or impurities. In the pagan tradition from which the art of pysanky-making comes, an egg signifies life, and so, importantly, once an egg is selected, it isn’t drained of its yolk or white – it must be kept whole and perfect.

The woman making the pysanka then finds a quiet place to sit alone and begins “writing” her prayer on the egg.

Designs are laid out with beeswax: a “kistka” tool is filled with the wax and then held over a candle until it’s runny and can be easily applied to the shell of the egg.

As is common in Ukrainian folklore, designs are inspired by the natural world, and symbolise different desires. For example, an octagonal star is the symbol of love, and if gifted to someone, would be considered a confession of romantic feelings.

Flowers, on the other hand, symbolise children, and so, traditionally, women who wanted to get pregnant would cover their pysanky in flowers and give them to young children.

You can find lots of beautiful examples of pysanky designs here.

After the design has been applied, the egg is dipped into a dye. These days, dyes can be bought, but historically, Ukrainian women had to know which roots, plants and materials would make the different colours. Beetroot makes red dye, for example, or oak galls, black. My grandmother would dye her Easter eggs bright yellow with onion skins.

Pysanky-making is so central to Ukrainian identity that during Soviet rule it was banned, and collections of pysanky were destroyed. However, since independence it has been reclaimed and is flourishing, with regular workshops (before the war) teaching people to “write” their prayers once again.

This Easter is of course different to any other that Ukraine has witnessed since 1991. But even now, under bombs and threats, Ukrainian women make pysanky with prayers of bravery for the soldiers fighting to protect the country and its people.

This has a double significance: not only does it provide spiritual protection, but it is also a direct rebellion against Russia’s attempts to wipe Ukraine, Ukrainians, and all of their traditions off the face of the earth.

On my pysanky today I’ll be drawing roosters: heralds of a new day, symbolising the light that overcomes the darkness. May the rays of that light bless Ukraine soon.

So, happy Easter everyone. Or as we say in Ukraine to each other – Христос Воскрес (Hrystos Voskres/Christ has risen)! And reply – Воістено Воскрес (Voistyno Voskres/Indeed He has risen)!

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