Dear Humans,

Some of you might dye eggs this weekend. If you do, you’ll be part of a long tradition of humans decorating egg shells. One that shows up in many different cultures and that could be up to 60,000 years old.

Because there’s just something about eggs. Symbols of life and rebirth, a white canvas for painting or dyeing, and an appealing oval shape. But also fragile. And artists love to create in that tension between the permanent and fleeting.

Today we’ll learn about Pysanky, which is a central part of cultural life in Ukraine. But egg decorating is everywhere. And when humans in different times and places do similar things, it’s worth our time to sit up, pay attention, and wonder why.

Sincerely,

Mr. Curt