Birthday
HydrangeasEaster is the most important Christian holiday, the day of Christ’s Resurrection. The familiar things on a Ukrainian Easter table — dyed eggs, paska bread, pussy willow twigs, a candle, flowers — are not just food and decoration but symbols with centuries of history. Here is what they mean and where they come from.
Krashanky and pysanky
Since ancient times the egg has symbolised the birth of life, and in Christianity it became a sign of the Resurrection: new life emerges from a lifeless shell. Ukrainians distinguish krashanky — eggs dyed a single colour, which are eaten — and pysanky — eggs decorated with wax-resist patterns, kept as talismans and given as gifts.
A well-known story explains the red egg: Mary Magdalene came to Emperor Tiberius proclaiming “Christ is risen!”, and he replied that this was as impossible as a white egg turning red — at which point the egg in his hand turned red. It is a legend rather than history, but it is why red is considered the main Easter colour.
What pysanka colours mean
Colour meanings are folk tradition and vary between regions. A black background is usually combined with bright patterns, and the motifs themselves (sun, stars, “forty triangles”, plant ornaments) carry their own meaning.
Paska bread
The festive bread is another central symbol. Its prototype is the artos, a loaf blessed in church at Easter. In Ukraine “paska” usually means a tall sweet yeast bread, while the cottage-cheese paska is a separate dish. Paska is traditionally baked on Holy Thursday and blessed on Easter night or morning together with the basket.
The Easter basket
The basket taken to church for blessing holds paska, krashanky and pysanky, salt, butter, cheese, sausage or meat, horseradish and a candle, and is covered with an embroidered rushnyk towel. Each item has a meaning: salt stands for protection and plenty, horseradish for strength and health, meat for the end of the Lenten fast. For decorating ideas see DIY Easter basket.
Pussy willow and candles
A week before Easter comes Palm Sunday, marking Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. Instead of palm branches, Ukrainians bless pussy willow (verba), and the twigs are kept all year as a talisman. The candle symbolises the light of the Resurrection: people hold it during the service and light it on the festive table.
Flowers and wreaths at Easter
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Spring flowers symbolise life reborn. At Easter tables and homes are decorated with hyacinths, daffodils, tulips and primroses, and in Western tradition with white lilies (Lilium longiflorum, known as the Easter lily). A wreath is a sign of eternal life, so Easter wreaths of twigs, flowers and feathers are hung on doors or placed in the middle of the table. Spring bouquets are available in our tulip delivery in Kyiv section.
Read about folk beliefs linked to the holiday in Ukrainian Easter superstitions, and about the first flowers of the season in early spring flowers.
FAQ
What is the difference between a pysanka and a krashanka?
A krashanka is dyed one colour and eaten; a pysanka is decorated with wax and dyes, is not eaten and is kept or given as a gift.
Why are Easter eggs dyed red?
Red is the colour of life and the joy of the Resurrection; it is linked to the legend of Mary Magdalene and Emperor Tiberius.
Which flowers make a good Easter gift?
Spring flowers: tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, primroses, white lilies, as well as baskets with flowers and Easter décor.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
