Numbers

 
 

Like the letters of the alphabet, numbers are replaced by symbols on a Brodivs’ka pysanka. Rather than being incorporated into symmetric ornaments as the letters are, the numbers are placed into bands around the pysanka.

The natural numbers (0-9) are represented thusly:


1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0




Larger numbers are represented by using two bands for each digit (except for a single digit for ones); the upper band is one of those for 1-9 above (above), and below it a band symbolizing 10s, 100s, or 1000s.  The latter are shown below:


10s      


100s    


1000s  


According to tradition, these number symbols are used to write the year onto the top of the pysanka.  Per Brody rules, the small end of the egg is the top, and the year is written in a band around the top, as on this pysanka:


  

1000  (1 + 1000)

900  (9 + 100)

90  (9 + 10)

3

Р (рік / year)



Notice the line above the beginning of the year, and above the «Р».  This is a dividing line, and a Brody pysanka will have such lines between the elements of the circumferential patterns.  Below this, in delineated bands, we could add the date as well, along with the month, phase of the moon, day of the week, the season and and even the zodiac.




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Brody Numbers