Ukrainian Pysanky wood Easter Eggs, 2 1/2" large (various styles/colors)

Made In Ukraine Assorted colors and Christian folk designs.

PYSANKY - the Ukrainian Easter egg, a Symbol of Christ’s Resurrection

CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD TRAMPLING DOWN DEATH-BY-DEATH AND TO THOSE IN THE TOMBS BESTOWING LIFE!

These colorful wood eggs have been hand painted in the Ukraine with traditional folk and religious symbols and designs.

The egg is an ancient symbol of new life and rebirth spanning many religions and cultures. To the ancients the egg embodied great power to bring new life and joy. The Ukrainian people in pagan times decorated eggs to commemorate their Slavic gods and to celebrate the sun’s arrival at the coming of spring.

The Christian Church adopted the egg as a symbol of Christ’s Resurrection. St. Augustine first described Christ’s Resurrection from the dead as a chick bursting from an egg. This symbolism was enhanced in the Christian East’s celebration of Pascha (Easter). At the end of the Pascha Liturgy, the faithful exchange three kisses on alternating cheeks with the greeting “Christ is Risen” to which is replied “Indeed He Is Risen!” or "In Truth He is Risen!" The priest presents each with a “red” egg.

The Ukrainian people enhanced their pre-Christian folk tradition of decorating eggs to include Christian symbolism such as the Cross. Painstakingly each egg was hand decorated with natural dyes.

There are several folk traditions associating Pascha eggs with the Virgin Mary & Mary Magdalene. There is an old story that the tradition of painting Easter eggs red originated with Mary Magdalene. She boldly appeared before Emperor Tiberius and declared, “Christ is risen!” Tiberius gestured to an egg she held and said, “Christ has no more risen than that egg is red.” Immediately, the egg turned red as a miraculous sign to show the truth of her testimony. Another folk tradition is Mary standing at the foot of the Cross collecting Christ’s blood, which turned, into “red” eggs. Mary cried and as her tears fell on these eggs beautiful designs appeared on them. Ukrainian folklore is the “world will end” when they stop making Pysanky...