Hens and chickens are common motifs in Peasant art. On one level, this is owing to this bird's ubiquitous nature as a food source for eggs and the stew pot. On another, the chicken is regarded as symbolic of hope and rebirth, the hen's eggs an almost magical source of life and growth, the rooster's proud crowing at the break of day a spiritual awakening and celebration of on-going life.

The Ukraine has a long tradition of decorated Easter eggs, and it was on these objects that the symbolism of different heritage/images, unique to Ukrainian culture, had been most explicitly schematized.