The Most Stunning Easter Egg of All

Pysanky eggs are typically decorated with Ukrainian folk designs of geometric patterns or animals. A.Greeg/Getty Images

As a child, I was fortunate to be taken on a trip to Europe. And one of the most stunning objects I saw was the Ukrainian Easter egg.

It was a shimmering, meticulously painted, elaborately decorated, multicolored wonder. Although I was only an elementary-aged little girl when I saw one, I never forgot it.

I have since traveled to perhaps 20 countries and visited some of the most hallowed halls of art and culture, yet these eggs are still among the most magnificent objects I have ever seen.

Easter in Eastern Europe is more than just a religious celebration, it’s a vibrant display of artistic tradition. Years later, I learned that, for many children, the highlight of this tradition is the age-old practice of egg painting. This colorful custom has evolved into a true art form over the years.

But first, where did the Easter egg come from?

Where the Easter Egg Comes From

Interestingly, the initial association between eggs and the holiday may not have originated with Christians. Some scholars suggest that Easter’s roots lie in an early Anglo-Saxon festival dedicated to the goddess Eastre, celebrating the arrival of spring and the resurgence of nature after winter. Eggs apparently played a significant role in Eastre’s festivities, being both consumed and possibly buried to symbolize fertility.

It is known that Christian missionaries sought to align their holy days with existing pagan festivals, hoping to facilitate understanding. Yet another possible connection within Christian tradition revolves around the practicality of Easter eggs during a period of strict Lenten fasting. Historically, Christians abstained from consuming meat and animal products, including eggs, during Lent. To comply with these stringent rules, they hard-boiled the eggs produced by their chickens, preserving them for later distribution. Often, these eggs were shared with the less fortunate, who couldn’t afford meat for their own post-Lenten celebrations.

Yet the historical trail of dyeing eggs for Easter becomes more apparent in British history around 1290. During this time, the household of Edward I procured 450 eggs to be dyed or adorned with gold leaf, destined for distribution among the royal entourage during Easter. This early documentation marks a tangible link between the practice of coloring eggs and the celebration of Easter.

The Making of Ukrainian Easter Eggs

One thing that makes Ukrainian Easter eggs memorable is not just their stunning exterior—the delicate method used to create them also sets them apart. (And, thinking back, the piety of those who made them may have had a part to play in their impact on this little viewer.)

The Pysanky Method

The creation of these eggs, a process known as pysanky, involves a meticulous procedure that turns hollowed-out eggshells into aesthetic gems.

The egg-maker begins by delicately emptying out a raw egg by piercing a small hole in both ends of the shell, and then blowing gently through one hole to force the egg out through the other one. If you’d like to try this at home, it is a good idea to put a piece of tape (Scotch will work) over the parts of the shell you will pierce, to help prevent cracking. Then, use a straight pin, thumbtack, needle, or similar object to create the holes. Note that the hole you blow through is normally made to be smaller than the hole the egg is to come out of. Usually, the narrower end of the egg will be the one for blowing, and the wider end for expelling. Of course, the smaller the holes you make, the more aesthetically pleasing your final product will be.

For those familiar with the batik method of dyeing fabric, the next step in the egg-making process is very similar. This is a “wax-resist” method whereby intricate designs are drawn with a brush or stylus dipped in hot wax. When the egg is dyed, naturally, these areas won’t be. For a layered effect, the egg can be dyed again after the wax is removed, producing a darker shade in the already-dyed areas. This process requires both patience and skill. When done well, it can create a captivating piece of artwork.

Alternative Techniques

While the wax-resist method is predominant, some artisans choose to directly paint designs, a technique more commonly applied to wooden eggs. However, note that this method deviates from the traditional pysanky, defined by its distinctive wax-resist technique.

Symbolism and Tradition

Pysanky eggs are steeped in symbolism. Traditionally, Easter eggs were often dyed red, symbolizing the blood of Jesus. Geometric patterns, stylized flowers, and religious symbols are common as well.

Pysanky decoration is not a one-size-fits-all affair; it does vary from region to region, village to village, and even family to family. Many designs and techniques are passed down through generations, some carefully guarded as family secrets.

Handcrafted throughout Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Slovenia, Lithuania, Belarus, Poland, and Bulgaria, as well as other countries, pysanky are more than just eggs; they are a testament to a living tradition. As a result, the art of pysanky is not confined to a specific region.

With its rich history and variety of techniques, the art of pysanky stands as a testament to the enduring beauty of tradition and craftsmanship inspired by faith.