PYSANKY
The Ukrainian Easter Egg
History of Pysanky
• Pysanky and pysanka, the singular form, are derived from a
Ukrainian word meaning "to write." The tradition of
decorating eggs, especially at Easter or in spring, was
widespread through Europe.
• It was especially prevalent in Slavic areas.
• At various times of the year or at points of passage in a
person’s life the pysanky took on mystical meaning. Colors
and designs came into being to be representative of nature
and life itself.
– Children were given pysanky with floral designs in a usually light color.
– Teenagers would receive pysanky with predominantly white coloring to
signify the blank page of their future.
– Married couples were given pysanky with the popular 40 triangles design
which in Ukrainian culture symbolized the forty tasks of life.
– An older person of advanced age received black pysanky with belts,
ladders and gates to remind them of their bridge to heaven.
Designs based on “Americana”
American quilt design and Native American blanket and pottery design motifs.
Traditional Ukrainian design
floral motifs, triangles, diamonds and pulled drops
During the span of history, the egg has represented
mystery, magic, medicine, food and omen.
It is the universal symbol of Easter celebrations throughout the world.
Marbled eggs
wax which has been dribbled and dripped on
modern and unusual design
In Pagan times the egg represented the rebirth of the earth, and was believed to
have special powers.
It was buried under the foundations of buildings to ward off evil.
French brides stepped upon an egg before crossing the
threshold of their new homes.
design based on 60’s style
pictorial narrative design
holiday themed design work
The Process
• The process is basically a
stencil type process similar
to the way batik is used to
dye fabric.
•
You begin with a clean white egg
(clean is important).
Wax is painted
on the egg
using the
kitsky tool.
Wax is placed
wherever you
want white to
appear in the
final design.
This part of
the process is
what creates
the resist
stencil.
The egg is
then dyed in
its first dye
bath.
The lightest
color is used
first, making
it easier for
each
successive
layer to cover
the previous
layer.
Where the
wax was
placed, the
egg remained
un-dyed (or
stays white).
Wax is now
added to the
egg where
yellow is
desired as part
of the design.
The egg is then
dyed in the
next dye bath.
Each layer of
wax and dye
leaves more of
the egg dyed.
When the final
color is added,
the egg is
often waxed
one last time
and dyed
black.
The wax is then melted and wiped off the egg to
expose the final design.
The final Pysanky
Egg design based on
Greek Pottery…
With the advent of Chrisianity the symbolism of the egg
changed to represent, not nature's rebirth,
but the rebirth of man.
The Christian church was very accomplished at
absorbing pagan traditions and making them
their own.
Decorating and coloring eggs for Easter was the
custom in England during the middle ages.
The household accounts of Edward I, for the year
1290, shows the purchase of four hundred and
fifty eggs to be gold-leafed and colored for Easter
gifts.
Decorated Eggs
Some other possibilities…
Etched eggs
• Wax has been
applied to the
egg and then it
has been given a
vinegar bath.
– Vinegar
dissolves the
calcium egg
shell, creating
an intaglio area
TRIVIA:
These eggs were
laser etched as
part of a CBS
promotion.
They were
available in large
metropolitan
areas.
Franc Grom
Master Egg Carver
http://www.vrhnika.si/index.php?m=knjiga&id=100
Franc Grom
Master egg “carver”.
Grom uses a dremel type tool
to create different layers,
lines and negative areas.
Scratched eggs
• The egg has been
dyed and the
surface has been
scratched away
to create the
white lines.
– Notice the variation in line
weight – the thick to thin
areas and how solid white
looking areas have been
created.
Wax applied eggs
• Different
colored wax
is applied
and left on
to create the
designs.
Decorated Eggs
Some other possibilities…
Hard boiled
Easter eggs
that have had
the shells
cracked, then
dyed to create
this broken
glass or
spider web
type designs.
The Faberge Egg
• The Russia tsars
traditionally presented
painted eggs to their
confidants at Easter.
• Among the Easter eggs the
world famous name was
gained by the Faberge
firm.
– Peter Carl Fabergé
(May 30, 1846–September 24, 1920)
was a Russian jeweler.
• Faberge created eggs that
were decorated with gold,
silver and precious stones.
–
•
The first Faberge eggs were
produced in 1884 for the tsar
Alexander III.
http://www.stpetersburger.com/html/faberg.html
Virtual eggs…
fractal designs created
digitally