History of pysanky
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Since the earliest of times people have sought meaning for life's mysteries and in the process have found the need for worship. One of the earliest objects of worship for primitive man was the sun. The ancient Ukrainians determined that when an egg was broken the yolk represented the sun and the white the moon. The egg became part of various ceremonies and took on a particular significance in the spring rituals. In winter Earth was dormant and appeared to have no life, just as the egg appeared to have no life. But as the seemingly dead egg hatched a living thing the earth too sprang to life in spring. Consequently, the egg became a symbol of life.
Archeological discoveries have uncovered pysanky style ceramics in Ukraine dating back to 1300 B.C. Pysanky designs have also been linked to those of Egyptian ceramics created in 1500 B.C. and to symbolism used in the Trypilljan culture in Ukraine of 3000 B.C. Many of the designs used to decorate pysanky can be directly traced back to the Bronze Era, 5000 years ago, when the Trypilljan culture prospered in Ukraine . These earliest designs mirror man's close relationship to the soil and other aspects of nature. Ukrainian folk art is based on these early symbols. Many are still seen today: stars, dots, wheat, bear's paws, circles, fir trees.
The tradition of decorating eggs, especially at Easter or in spring, was widespread through Europe . It was especially prevalent in Slavic areas. There were the Moravian eggs from Czachia and the Sorbian eggs from the Slavic tribes of eastern Germany . Nowhere, however, did the decoration of eggs become so vital a part of a society's culture as it did in Ukraine . The people in Ukraine came to see the egg, now referred to as pysanky, as a talisman. Pysanky became part of daily life and were believed to possess power. 
Evil spirits were believed to be afraid of the rooster and chicken eggs. The Cossacks often took roosters with them on their travels to serve as time clocks and also to ward off evil. To the ancient people of all cultures life could not be lived without a talisman of some sort. Danger was everywhere. In Ukraine pysanky became needed, necessary, and cherished.
At various times of the year or at points of passage in a person's life the pysanky took on mystical meaning. Colors and designs came into being to be representative of nature and life itself. Children were given pysanky with floral designs in a usually light color. Teenagers would receive pysanky with predominantly white coloring to signify the blank page of their future. Married couples were given pysanky with the popular 40 triangles design which in Ukrainian culture symbolized the forty tasks of life. An older person of advanced age received black pysanky with belts, ladders and gates to remind them of their bridge to heaven.
This practice of giving pysanky became part of the Ukrainian tradition and also served as a means of preserving and continuing the art of pysanky itself. For centuries the designs and symbols used on pysanky were handed down from mother to daughter. The cultural heritage of the Ukrainian nation was entrusted this way. To learn about the symbols and colors used in psanky, click on the following link: