One problem that cartographers have always had is trying to represent a spherical surface on a flat one.  No matter which projection they use (Mercator, Collignon or Mollweide), distortions will occur.

A similar problem exists with trying to represent the triangle division as a simple drawing.  All the lines, when drawn on the egg, are straight; when projected on the egg on the right, they look curved.  When drawn straight, as in the egg on the left, the effect is much less realistic.

So it is better to show a few actual triangle pysanky, all from Volyn:

All of these pysanky are fairly straightforward version of the Triangle division--the division is waxed in, and additional elements are added: a star at the intersection of the lines in the first and third, and willow branches in the segments of the second. Binyashevsky has similar pysanky, with the division fully written in, here:

(Volyn, Eastern Polissia, Kuban)

Sometimes, the lines are there, but less obvious:

In the first example, from the Zhytomyr region, has the basic Triangle division, but it gets lost in the complexity of the design.  In the second example, from The Vinnytsia region (Podillia), has a doubled line forming he triangles. In the third, also from Vinnytsia, the segments/triangles are filled differently, throwing the design off kilter.  Binyashevsky has similar examples here:

In the first pysanka, from the Kyiv region, has a variety of different divisions and patterns within the triangles, causing the eye not to note the quite symmetric division.  The second pysanka is Hutsul one, and shows the relationship between the Triangle division and the Sorokoklyn–the triple lines divide the egg into the former; further subdivisions within the triangles produce the latter. The third and fourth pysanky are from Central Halychyna (Lviv region).  In the first the “koshychky” (little baskets) add complexity; in the second, the plain, straight lines have been either doubled or zig-zagged. 

Often, with the Triangle division, a design element (e.g. circle, triangle) is added in the center of each segment, where the three lines meet.  These are a few examples, all from the Vinnytsia region:

On other pysanky the lines may be lacking to a various degrees.  Sometimes, as in rake motif pysanky, parts of the dividing lines have become rakes or other objects:

In others they disappear, and we can deduce their presence only through the placement of the motifs.  Binyashevsky gives a few examples of these:

(Eastern Polissia, Hutsul, Kyiv region)

 

Drawing the division on the egg itself is fairly simple.  You begin by drawing and equatorial line, and then four lines longitudinally (or the Globe division) (A). Then, about halfway up and down the length of the egg, you add two more circumferential lines. You will end up with a variant of the Lattice division (B).

                                 A                                                                   B

Remember, these are all PENCIL lines that we are drawing; waxing in will come later.  Next, we draw a series of short lines from the equator to the outer circumferential line (C).  This will give you (D), all in PENCIL.

                                C                                                                    D

Now we can wax in the Triangle division.  Look at diagram (E); we are going to wax in only the lines in black, and ignore the lines in light blue.  This will give us the pysanka in (F). 

                                 E                                                                   F

.....Of course, if your design doesn’t call for all of the lines to be waxed in white, like egg (F) above, don’t do it.  Often triangle division designs just call for placement of motifs within these 24 triangle sections, or simply require that only some of the dividing lines be written in wax, as shown above.

By adding a few more dots, lines and motifs, you can easily create one of these lovely pysanky:

(Donetsk, Lviv region, Hrubeshiv region)  

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Note:  All photos, illustrations and text © Luba Petrusha 2007-10. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction prohibited without expressed consent.  May contact via e-mail (link below).