PYSANKA: A UKRAINIAN CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Have you ever read Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Palacco?  It's a heart-warming story featuring a goose and some beautiful Ukrainian "Pysanky" eggs.  

I've got some other picture book recommendations that feature these special eggs, but first I thought I'd share some information about the symbolism and history behind this art.

I learned a lot about it last weekend when I attended a Lenten Pysanka workshop. The instructor, Adriana, brought a whole basket of her little masterpieces to show us.  It was hard to believe we were about to attempt to paint some ourselves!  Here's what we learned...

"At one time, the egg was associated with pagan rituals and superstitions, symbolizing the release of the earth from the shackles of winter into spring; with its promise of new hope, new life, health and prosperity. 

In 988 AD when Ukraine accepted Christianity, the decorating of eggs took on a deep religious meaning. The PYSANKA commemorated the Resurrection of Christ, and a promise of eternal life. The pagan superstitions were replaced by religious beliefs and legends."

The geometric motifs are the same as found in many forms of primitive art, but their use in PYSANKY gives them specific names and symbolic meanings. Ribbons and belts that encircle the egg with no beginning or end symbolize eternity. Triangles symbolize trios, such as the circle of life of birth, life, death; the Holy Trinity, and the natural elements of fire, air, and water. Stars once symbolized the pagan gods, and now stand for life, growth and good fortune. The cross appears in many forms and symbolizes the four corners of the world, and Christianity."

[Go to Adriana's website for more information here.]

Here's a photo of my egg, just after it's been plunged down into the blue dye.  The next step will be to expose the egg to a heat source and rub off the wax...

...and here's the finished product!

MY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
Easter Eggs for Anya, by Virginia Kroll, illustrations by Sally Wern Comport.  This sweet story follows Anya as she prays for her family's farm, which is struggling since her father is away at war. She is upset after a fox attacks a goose that has been guarding its nest, as suddenly the nest of goose eggs is left abandoned and cold.  But then she realizes that she will at least have some eggs to decorate as Pysanky for Easter.  You'll be surprised when she wakes up on Easter morning to some new beginnings! (ages 4-8)

Books about Pysanky:
Rechenka's Eggs, written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco.

The Birds' Gift: A Ukrainian Easter Story, by Eric A. Kimmel. Pictures by Katya Krenina.

Nina's Treasures, by Stefan Czernecki, illustrated by Timothy Rhodes. (My review found here)

WHY EGGS FOR EASTER?

Because new life emerges from an egg when the chick hatches out, eggs have long been used as a symbol for the start of new life.  And Christians further view it as a symbol of the Resurrection - as it lays dormant, it contains a new life sealed within it, just as Christ's body was resurrected to new life from the sealed tomb.

Another reason that eggs are given as gifts at Easter comes from an ancient Eastern Orthodox tradition:  after the Ascension of Jesus, Mary Magdalene went to the Emperor of Rome and greeted him with the words, "Christ has risen," whereupon he pointed to an egg on his table and stated, "Christ has no more risen than that egg is red." After making this statement it is said the egg immediately turned blood red.  To this day, after our Easter - or Pascha - service, we Orthodox Christians receive hard-boiled eggs that have been dyed red.  We crack them against each other's as we proclaim, "Christ is Risen!"

"Pysanky" are Ukrainian Easter eggs that have been decorated using a wax-resist method with dyes - the symbolic folk designs are "written on" the eggs with beeswax by using a stylus (kystka).  This method is used in many eastern European countries, not just the Ukraine.  Many women like to make Pysanky during Lent (or Holy Week) to be given away at Easter.  Traditionally, they were made at night, when the children were asleep.

PICTURE BOOKS:
Here are some great books you won't want to miss about Pysanky Eggs...and at the end of this post, I'll share some links, so you and your children can make your own.  I think it's a great Lenten activity - it teaches patience and you'll have some beautiful eggs for your basket or to give as gifts!

RECHENKA'S EGGS by Patricia Polacco. An old woman named Babushka always wins first prize in the Easter festival for her exquisitely painted Ukrainian eggs. When she finds a wounded goose outside her house, Babushka takes her in, cares for her until she is strong again, and names her Rechenka. The goose lays an egg each morning for the old woman, but as she begins to heal, she flies around, knocking over Babushka's jars of colored paints and breaking all her Easter eggs. Babushka is miserable, until Rechenka miraculously lays brilliantly colored eggs; the old woman wins first prize once more... Intricate designs and opulent colors shade every page, right down to the onion-shaped domes and peasants' festival garments. -Publisher's Weekly (Ages 4-8)

THE MAGIC BABUSHKA by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes. Nadia longs to make the intricately decorated eggs called Pysanky but the fine detail work is too much for her weak eyes. An encounter with the magical butterfly woman, Baba Babochka, results in the young woman being given a magical kerchief, or babushka, with the warning that she reveal her gift to no one. With it, she is able to transform plain white eggs into elaborately decorated ones that gain the attention of the Tsarina, and she is summoned to the palace to produce Pysanky on demand. Once again, Baba Babochka comes to the rescue, and Nadia is finally able to make beautiful eggs on her own. The full-page watercolor-and-gouache illustrations suggest the colors and designs of pysanky in the bright red, blue, and orange the artist uses in her illustrations and in the detailed border designs. -Library School Journal. (grades 1-4)

NINA'S TREASURES by Stefan Czernecki, illustrated by Timothy Rhodes. A hen named Nina provides eggs for "a little grandmother" named Katerina, who trades the eggs and flowers from her garden for their daily needs. An unusually severe winter finds the pair virtually without food, and Katerina feeds Nina "her precious flower seeds for the spring planting." With the advent of spring, their plight is relieved when Nina--full of flower seeds--lays some spectacularly beautiful eggs. Katerina trades them to replenish her cupboards, and the old woman and Nina are happy and comfortable "the rest of their days." Recalling the resourceful hen, the village grandmothers decorate eggs each spring. -Publisher's Weekly.   (Ages 4-8.)

THE BIRDS' GIFT, A UKRANIAN EASTER STORY, retold by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Katya Krenina. This folktale describes the origin of pysanky, the process of decorating Easter eggs with intricate, colorful patterns. Katrusya and her grandfather are walking in freshly fallen snow when they discover a flock of tiny golden birds that has been overcome by the sudden cold. They rescue as many as possible from the drifts and stuff them inside their coats, then hurry back to the village for assistance. Soon everyone rushes out to help, and the priest opens the church to shelter the animals and preaches to his congregation that with every chirp the birds worship God with perfect faith. Shortly before spring arrives, the feathered creatures clamor to be released, saddening the villagers, who have grown to love them. Easter comes, and Katrusya and the other children find gorgeous, brilliantly colored eggs in the grass. When the people wonder at their source, the priest points to the golden birds, now perched above, and explains that these eggs are their Easter gifts. As each one is different and precious, he says, so is every living creature in God's eyes. -School Library Journal. (Ages 4-8)


I KNOW YOU'LL ENJOY THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO!

MAKE YOUR OWN PYSANKY EGGS:
Make paper Pysanky Egg decorations from Orthodox Christian Craft Supply.

Order this DVD from Archangel Books on how to decorate Pysanky Eggs. Step-by-step for beginners.

Or, you can learn from this website: LEARNPYSANKY.COM

You can order Pysanky kits from Chinaberry or HearthSong, two of my favorite online sites for gifts, books, and toys.

Preserving Traditions

UNCLE VOVA'S TREE by Patricia Polacco.  (for ages 4-8)

"For the children in an extended family of Russian immigrants, Christmas at Uncle Vova's provides a literal and visual feast. 

There is the savory porridge, kutya (each aunt's recipe is different); there are paper ornaments, a sleigh ride and, not least, Vova's loving decoration of an evergreen for the animals outside. The year after Vova's death, the family's sorrow is tempered by the miraculous sight of the animals decorating Vova's tree... Patricia Polacco highlights intriguing details of Russian holiday lore and also pays tribute to the importance of honoring one's heritage by preserving tradition." - Publisher's Weekly

Traditional Kutya porridge

To read about more Russian Christmas Traditions, CLICK HERE
Want to make a cute paper Russian Doll?

QUILTING STORIES

As we head toward the holiday season, I find myself thinking of family and the anticipation of our holiday gatherings...

I don't happen to have any quilters among my relatives, but I am always drawn to old quilts when I visit a flea market or antique store.  Like patches on an heirloom quilt, families have pieced-together memories of traditions, tears, laughter, struggles, celebrations, and faith.

And quilts are a great way to teach children about family, art, history, and even math!  I hope you'll enjoy sharing some of these books with your children - I've enjoyed discovering them!  Let me know if I've left out any of your favorites...


PICTURE BOOKS:

The Quilt Story by Tony Johnston, illustrations by Tomie dePaola (ages 4-8)

The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco (ages 4-8)

Eight Hands Round:  A Patchwork Alphabet by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrations by Jeanette Winter (ages 4-8)

The Log Cabin Quilt by Ellen Howard (ages 6 and up)

The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy, illustrations by Jerry Pinkney (ages 4-8)

HISTORICAL FICTION:
The Canada Geese Quilt by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock, illustrations by Leslie W. Bowman (ages 9-12)

Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria by Kyra E. Hicks, illustrations by Lee Edward Fodi (ages 9-12)

NON FICTION:
Quilting Now & Then by Julie B. Dock, Karen B. Willing; illustrations by Sarah Morse

Quilt-Block History of Pioneer Days(with Projects Kids Can Make), by Mary Cobb (grades 2 and up)

POETRY:
Baby Days:  A Quilt of Rhymes and Pictures, by Belina Downes (ages 4-8)

Pieces:  A Year in Poems and Quilts by Anna Grossnickle Hines (ages 4-8)

AND TWO MORE..
from my friend Jane Meyer's blog (fun post!)
The Quilt Maker's Journey and The Quilt Maker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau

If you want to delve deeper into quilting, I found a great website on quilting history and with patterns for children's quilts.