Ukrainian Easter

The sun was the most honoured of these symbols, because it signifies the sun god, also the sun caused their fields to grow and could be seen as producing life. The sun was represented by a "tripod, rose and stars arranged in various patterns."" Other symbols such as a triangle represented the three elements of fire, water and air.
             Once the pysanky (=plural, pysanka=singular) were painted the Pagans would use them to protect their loved ones by having the person touch the egg. Also, the eggs were used to protect their homes from storms and give them plentiful harvests by placing them within their fields or around their homes. Further to this they hoped it would give them fortune and give them things they desired. .
             When Ukrainians converted to Christianity in 988 AD they kept all the original designs, but changed the meaning. The Sun came to represent the Son, Jesus Christ. Instead of the triangle representing the three elements, it came to represent the holy trinity. Soon new symbols such as fish, crosses and churches were added to commemorate Christianity.
             To get all those colours on a pysanky you most stain the egg in a certain types of dyes and you always start with the lightest colour (yellow, the orange, then red, etc black is the last). You stain the egg with the lightest colour you wish to have on your egg, by placing the egg in a container of dye for a few minuets. Now you use a tool called the "kistka- (a wooden stick with a steel funnel on the end).You put the funnel end over a lit candle and then into bees wax. The bee's wax will melt because of the heat of the steel and will fill up the funnel. You would then take the tool to the egg and cover all the areas you wish to be the colour you choose be on the egg before. You dip the egg into the next colour you want on your egg and repeat the steps from before till you're finished and your egg is full of colour.
             Like many cultures, Ukrainians base much of their holidays around food.