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On April 6, the National Bank of Ukraine presented a unique 10 hryvnia coin minted in silver, part of the "Ukrainian Heritage" series, whose main feature is its unusual egg shape.
This commemorative piece pays homage to Ukrainian Easter and, in particular, to pysanka, an ancient Ukrainian art of egg painting that showcases in its design the rich variety of ornamental motifs and unique color palettes of each region of Ukraine.
The Pysanka
The origins of egg painting date back to pre-Christian times, emerging alongside the first agricultural cultures in the territory of present-day Ukraine.
The tradition of painting eggs evolved as an element of beliefs linked to the solar calendar cycle. In spring, during the vernal equinox, the triumph of light over darkness was celebrated by giving an egg, an archetype of the cosmos and a symbol of the birth of new life. Easter eggs served as wishes for health and beauty, protective amulets against natural disasters, and even as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation.
With the arrival of Christianity, these ancient customs did not fall into oblivion; on the contrary, they acquired a new meaning. The ancient name "Velykden" (literally "The Great Day"), which semantically meant the most important day, harmonized perfectly with the essence of the main Christian festival: the Resurrection of Christ. Thus, the egg became a symbol of the Risen Christ.
The tradition of egg painting extends throughout Ukraine, but each region has cultivated its own unique language of colors and ornamentation. This year's commemorative coin is dedicated to Polesia, one of Ukraine's oldest historical and ethnographic regions.
Polesian egg painting developed from local cultural traditions and is distinguished by an ornamental system dominated by geometric motifs: rhombuses, triangles, squares, as well as circular, oval, and linear elements. Spirals are also frequently depicted on the eggs, symbolizing the eternal movement of existence, while nets symbolize the connection between worlds.
Also common were comb-like protrusions (resembling the teeth of a rake), used in popular belief to invoke the rain needed for the future harvest. At the same time, stars and the sun symbolize light, vital energy, and prosperity, while waves represent water. Another common ornament on Polesia eggs is the "ruzha," an eight-pointed star that personifies the sun, fire, and light, representing life, well-being, energy, and the awakening of spring.
OBVERSE
The obverse of the coin is divided into four sections by lines forming a cross, a sacred symbol representing the unity of existence that unites heaven and earth. Each section represents the art of pysanka painting, prevalent in Polesia, and displays ornaments characteristic of the region.
The Rivne oblast (bottom left) features waves, a network, and comb-like protrusions (like the teeth of rakes).
The Volhynian oblast (top left) shows a star fragment, dots, comb-like protrusions, the sun, and waves.
The Zhitomir oblast (top right) shows comb-like protrusions and the sun.
The Kiev oblast (bottom right) features spirals and a network.
The spirals serve as a sign of infinity, protection against evil spirits and the eternal flow of life; the nets represent the connection between worlds; the comb-like protrusions symbolize rain, and the dots represent the grain, which symbolizes the birth of new life and the continuity of lineages.
REVERSE
The reverse of the coin depicts a pysanka adorned with the "ruzha," a traditional ornament from the Chernihiv Oblast (Polesia). It symbolizes the sun, fire, and light, representing life, prosperity, energy, and the awakening of nature in spring. The symbolism of the motif is further enhanced by its colors: red, symbolizing strength, health, and energy; and black, symbolizing the earth, fertility, ancestral memory, and protection.
PRESENTATION
Face value 10 hryvnias
Metal 999 Silver
Quality Special Uncirculated
Weight 31.10 g
Diameter –
Design Oleksandra Kuchynska
Print run 15,000 units
Year 2026
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