Magyar News, 2000. szeptember-2001. augusztus (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-06-01 / 10. szám
MIMeSTOJAS-MOS TOJÁS Hungarian Decorated Easter Eggs by Emese Kerkay Libraries in Connecticut joined in a program called “The World oj Words ” and they chose different ethnic cultures. The library in Fairfield chose the Hungarians. In their month long series of events here was a lecture and demonstration on the Hungarian Easter eggs given by Emese Kerkay. Editor Emese Kerkay showing instrument that she use to decorate the colored eggs The cult of the decorated egg is one of the most ancient religious customs of humanity, and goes back thousands of years. The egg plays a significant role in the story of creation for many people. It represents the secret of eternal life condensed in a small enclosed and perfect geometrical form. Inside of the protective white mass is the mysterious gold, the Secret of secrets, the sprout. Doesn't the gold inside the egg represent a drop of the creative power of the sun. The egg is the ancient symbol of spring in religions of numerous people. As the carrier of life it represents the past and the future. The egg is not only the symbol of creation but also of life, rebirth, resurrection, and above all fertility. The Hungarian custom of dousing women with water (locsolás) on Easter Monday , combined with presenting the symbol of creation, the magical “hímestojás”, is an ancient fertility ritual, and was taken very seriously . The symbolism of the Hungarian decorated egg reaches back to pre- Christianity. Even after Hungarians converted to Roman Catholicism in the 10th century their egg designs, contrary to neighboring people, preserved their original meaning and were not influenced by Christianity. Every aspect of the old Hungarian way of life and beliefs can be found in the abstract motifs, although they are often hard to comprehend. The symbols of the universe, eternal life, shepherding, horsemanship, nature, fertility, diverting of evil, to mention a few , can be found in every region of historical Hungary . Over the centuries the meaning of some of the pagan drawings were forgotten, but Hungarian women still write the same symbols onto the eggs as did their ancestors more than a thousand years ago. Here are some interpretation on symbols found on the Hungarian hímestojás: The circle is the symbol of the Creator, with no beginning and no end. In the process of creation, first the whole was divided into two, creating opposites: heaven and earth, this Life and beyond. When divided into four , a cross is formed. The symbol of the cross is as old as mankind and has been our source of strength since the beginning. To Hungarians it is the tree of life, but we gave the cross an even more beautiful and adequate name: GOD'S TREE. God, the universe and human life are constantly present on a hímestojás. Life started when the opposite sides began the. eternal movement, symbolized by the swastika or sun wheel. Every arm of the swastika, ancient symbol of the sun, represents a base element: water, earth, air, fire. Without these there is no life. In some Hungarian regions egg-decorators also call the spinning swastika type symbol, with four tendrils, a crab tail. The peek and turning of the sun 's orbit is in the astronomical sign of the cancer. This is expressed in the revolving, eddying symbol. This ancient sign from pre-Christian times is used on Hungarian eggs in every Page 2 Circle with Cross Cross w. Sun Wheel Swastika w. Cock’s Comb Sun Wheel Rake & Hand Cross with Hands Meander Oak Leaf Ram Frog
