Joe Zapach: Symbolism

Blog Post #85

The symbolic link between two pysanky, two Josephs, two generations.

“A number of wax sections peeled off the shell and allowed successive dyes to erase some of the finer details. My dad’s is a bit worn and fading yet still containing all the power and beauty of a deeply meaningful life-design; Baby Joseph’s is bright and full of light and hope, and with the promise of his whole life ahead of him.”

— Joe Zapach, Spirit of the Egg, Ukrainian Pysanky as Journey and Symbol

From:

Spirit of the Egg, Ukrainian Pysanky as Journey and Symbol

“The design of this egg is divided into three sections: the main band represents this life and this world; the smaller bands represent the afterlife; and the ends of the egg represent the dwelling place of God.

“Starting in the center of the egg, there is the least developed “pinwheel” motif, symbolizing the generation of the children.

“Around those smallest pinwheels are chicken-feet symbols: the protection of the earth towards her young. Also surrounding the children on a green background (with green as the color of the earth) are “bends” which signify defense or protection: the children embraced by the earth and all the nurturance of this life and this world.

”At the next level are the larger pinwheels, more developed in their motif, but not as developed as the pinwheels representing God on the ends of the egg. They also surround the children, showing the protection and guidance that the elders offer through their wisdom and experience. In between them are yellow and white sun symbols with blue for the sky, black for the universe, and netting baskets on green for the mothering aspects of the earth, all framing the central section: the whole of our physical lives lived between earth and sky.

”Crossing over a thin boundary of parallel eternity lines, there is a representation of the afterlife in two bands of dark red—a color that has deep spiritual significance on an egg. These bands are filled with “spirals” which symbolize the mystery of life and death, as well as divinity and immortality. Here is where we will all end up some day, and in this design, the pinwheels representing the elders are nearest to these afterlife bands; their backgrounds are a matching dark red to show their closer connection with the realities of death and the life beyond the grave.

”The ends of the egg have the pinwheel design taken to its ultimate expression: God, the Source towards Whom we strive, and the Ideal we seek to attain. At the very tip is a near-glowing point of light that contains the fullness of the infinite, radiating out in yellow streaks of light.

“The small seed-stars represent the seeds of life that spring from the Creator.

“The ends of the egg also contain the largest sections of black dye: the color of the absolute, constancy, eternity, and the womb, all of which are aspects of the Divine.”

To read Joe’s entire “Generations” article, click the link below:

Spirit of the Egg, Ukrainian Pysanky as Journey and Symbol.

Peace Affirming Prayer

Peace fills my mind and flows through all my thoughts.

Peace fills my heart and flows through all my love.

Peace fills my soul and goodwill flows to all.

Peace fills my being and permeates all my activities.

Peace within. Peace without. Peace everywhere.

Peace in my mind. Peace in my heart. Peace in my soul.

Peace in me. Peace in my home. Peace in my country. Peace in my world.

Peace everywhere.

Amen.

Ukrainian folklore characterizes pysanky as a symbolic, talismanic writing that invokes a higher Universal Power for help, while believing with faithful certainty that It will. The contemporary version of this characterization is a paper-and-pen journaling practice called prayer writing that develops a personal relationship with God.