Petrykivka / Петриківка

Petrykivka is an old art that originated in central Ukraine. It began when people painted the inside and outside walls of their homes, which were whitewashed, stoves, musical instruments, as well as furniture, wooden kitchenware, and boxes. At first, people used paint made from vegetable juice and paintbrushes made of cat fur.

The petrykivka style reflects people's unity with their natural surroundings. The style also symbolizes the cyclicality of time, the life cycle. This is reflected not only in the motifs themselves, but also in the fact that the designs painted on walls had to be refreshed annually. Since the designs were originally painted on white walls, traditional petrykivka paintings are made on a white background.

Petrykivka painting has many traditional motifs that have specific symbolism. The rooster, for example, symbolizes the cyclical rebirth of nature as well as fire and spiritual awakening, flowers and bouquets of flowers symbolize the beauty of nature and the tree of life, oak represents masculinity and power, while hollyhock and viburnum symbolize feminine beauty. Birds symbolize harmony, and specific birds like the firebird and the coocoo represent happiness and the mystery of eternity respectively.

Petrykivka painting also features local plants and animals such as apples, cherries, cornflowers, daisies, grapes, hops, poppies, roses, strawberries, sunflowers (the national flower of Ukraine), tulips, and viburnum berries (the viburnum is a symbol of Ukraine).

Petrykivka is named after the Petrykivka village in east-central Ukraine, where the art form was preserved during Soviet rule. It became the only place where the style survived. Petrykivka painted experienced a rebirth after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and has become popular on souvenirs and in interior design.

Color your own petrykivka picture with this printable coloring page or color online.