I was pretty lucky to have grown up with such a rich family heritage that stretches from the Ukraine back through Western Europe to Wales. With Ostara approaching a very vivid childhood memory has continued to appear over and over in my mind.

As a very young child I was always amazed at the intricate egg decorating that was done by my Grandfather Petre, Great Uncle Joe, and Great Aunt Mildred. They had emigrated to the US from the Ukraine shortly after the Bolshevic (sp) Revolution. The men were Kossacks, and overall I am told lived a very humble life off of the land. Decorating the eggs, or Pysanky, as they are called was a very important ritual for them. It was also a great contradiction because they were Byzantine Catholics, and the practice of any pagan rituals big or small was...well you know the story. Anyway, the eggs or Pysanky were always beautiful, and delicate. Thus, they were always put up out of reach from us children.

While my grandfather passed away 35 years ago, and Uncle Joe and Aunt Mildred shortly thereafter, to this day you can find remnants of their artistry in the family home which is still occupied by my Grandmother. I'd swear many of these Pysanky have not been touched since the day they were strategically placed in their bowl or basket. Yet, they are in perfect condition. Kind of weird, but then again what would you expect from a family tree that gave birth to me.

Here is more info on the Pysanky that I gathered from the web, special thanks to Mystic Moon Coven...

There is an ancient legend in the Ukraine that tells of a demon monster that would devour the world. This monster is chained and as it strains and pulls, the links of its chains are weakened. But every Spring the chain is strengthened in proportion to the number of pysanky (intricately decorated eggs) that were made and exchanged that season. (The word pysanky comes from the root word pysaty (to write) because the signs are written on the surface of the egg in a rich language of symbols almost endless in number and variation.)

Ostara Symbolism

original author unknown

There are many fine books that describe the symbolism on Ukrainian pysanky, not to mention the rich symbolism within Wiccan and other Pagan traditions. Below are some traditional symbols used on Ukrainian eggs, and you may notice that many of these symbols have universal meanings throughout the world.

- Circles: Protection, everlasting life, continuity, and completeness. The Sun, and cycles of life.

- Triangles: The elements of air, fire and water. Or just fire. The Trinity. Sun, Moon, and Stars.

- Suns: The life giving, all embracing nature of God, especially as the Sun is seen as the God. Fire and warmth, enchantment, prosperity, good fortune. It is the most ancient and significant symbol, appearing on almost every Ukrainian egg, from a small circle or dot to an elaborate many-rayed affair.

- Tripods: Man, Woman, and Child. Birth, Life and Death.

- Stars and Roses: Popular symbols for purity, life, giver of light, the eye of God, the God's love for humanity. Also success, knowledge, beauty, elegance, and perfection.

- Dots: Usually represents stars or the Tears of Mary. Also can be the Sun.

- Curls: Protection.

- Spirals: Mystery of life and death, divinity and immortality.

- Crosses: These are usually equal-armed crosses, though not always. Represents the four directions, the four ages of man, the four elements, and rebirth and eternal life.

Agricultural: Popular on traditional pysanky, these were important to a society that depended on the fruit of the fields. Also, krashanky had these symbols and were buried in the fields to ensure fertility.

- Sieves: Separating good from evil.

- Nets and baskets: Containing knowledge, motherhood, giving life and gifts.

- Ladders: Searching, rising above the petty, ascending to heaven.

- Combs: Putting things in order.

- Rakes: Successful harvest.

- Plants: Rebirth and nature. Very popular symbols.

- Trees: Strength, renewal, creation, organic unity, growth, and eternal life.

- Leaves: Immortality, eternal or pure love, strength, and persistence.

- Flowers: Beauty, children, female principles of wisdom and elegance.

- Fruit: Continuity, good fellowship, strong and loyal love, love of the Divine.

- Sunflowers: Motherhood, life, love of the Divine.

- Wheat: Bountiful harvest.

- Eternity Bands: Dividing elements on the eggs such as meanders for harmony, motion, infinity, and immortality.

- Waves for wealth, rain.

- Lines and ribbons for the thread of life or eternity.

Animal Symbolism

- Stags: Leadership, victory, joy, masculinity.

- Horses: Wealth, prosperity, endurance, speed and the motion of the Sun.

- Rams: Leadership, strength, dignity, and perseverance. Ram's horns symbolize strong leadership, dignity, and perseverance.

- Horns: Mobility, wisdom, triumphs over problems, and implies manhood and leadership.

- Bear paws: A guardian spirit, bravery, wisdom, strength, and endurance, the coming of spring.

- Birds: All kinds, are messengers of the Sun and heavens, pushing away evil, fertility, fulfillment of wishes, good harvest.

- Bird Parts: (eyes, feet, beaks, combs, feathers) carry the same meaning as entire birds.

- Roosters: Good fortune, masculinity, coming of the dawn.

- Hens: Fertility. Hen feet offer protection for the young, and guidance.

- Goose feet: Symbols of soul or spirit.

- Butterflies: Ascent of the soul, pleasure and frivolity of childhood.

- Spiders: Patience, artistry, industry, healing and good fortune.

- Fish: Abundance, sacrifice, and regeneration.

Color Symbolism in Ukrainian Eggs
- White: Purity, birth, virginity, and ignorance. Historically, a young child would receive eggs with lots of white.

- Yellow: Youth, light, purity, happiness, and wisdom.

- Red: The most widely used color, for passion, love, enthusiasm.

- Orange: Endurance, strength, power.

- Green: Renewal, freshness, hope, victory of life over death.

- Brown: Earth.

- Blue: Sky, good health derived from air.

- Purple: Patience, trust, power.

- Black: Remembrance, eternity, constancy, and death. A black and white combination indicates protection from evil and respect for the dead.

- Black with red connotes ignorance arising from passion.