Pysanky Eggs

  The making of pysanky is known as both an art and a craft. It is the process of decorating an egg shell with a repeating progression of beeswax and dye to produce a beautiful design on the egg shell. The word pysanky means “to write”.

History & Symbols

  The true origins of pysanky are unknown. What we do know is that pysanky predates Christianity. It is from Southeastern Europe, today we know it as Ukraine. Pysanky was the creation of peasants and farmers. The oldest pysanky recorded, dates to the 9th century.  There are many legends concerning pysanky and its spiritual nature.
  The symbols found on pysanky eggs have meanings of health, goodness, wealth, protection, God, power, love, beauty, all the attributes concerning mankind and his creator. The colors chosen for each pysanky have symbolic meanings also. In pre- Christian times the symbols had to do with fertility and good harvests. As Christianity came to Ukraine the symbols transferred into Christian beliefs. In olden times, writing pysanky was only done during the Easter season and had a very spiritual aspect. Today, as interest grows in the art with people that do not have Ukrainian or Eastern European heritage, there is a change. There are more types of designs, many having nothing to do with religion or custom. There will always be those that hold strictly to tradition and symbols. There are also exciting new designs and colors with the influx of more varied artist.

The Finished Egg

  When someone gives you a pysanky it is “from the heart”. All pysanky artist whether they have been writing eggs for years and are masters, or have just taken up the art a few months ago are giving you a part of themselves. The making of a pysanky takes many hours.

The Process

  The process is simple but painstakingly slow. You must find the right canvas, the egg. You can use any size egg, from finch to ostrich. The egg just needs to be smooth and clean. The design is made by dividing the egg into sections. You draw your design with a light pencil. When the design is drawn to your liking, the wax is applied (over the pencil guide lines) with an instrument called a Kistka. It is about the size of a pen and has a funnel at one end to hold the hot, melted beeswax. Kistkas can be simple wood with a copper funnel, a plastic handle with stainless steal or one that is electric. Where you put the wax (beeswax only) the color of the egg will not change. When you have the design waxed you immerse the egg in your first dye. You then wax all the designs lines that you want in the new color and immerse the egg again in a new color. The process goes from plain eggshell to yellow, orange, red or any progression in preferred colors as long as you go from light to dark. When your egg is completely waxed and you have applied your last color, the egg is held over a flame to melt off all the wax which will reveal the beautiful colors and the full design. It is like opening a present. Several coats of  varnish completes the egg and protects the design. Each egg is different. Even if you copy an ancient design onto your egg it is very hard to match each color or line and every eggshell will take the dye differently.

Care of Your Pysanky

  Some artists leave the egg full. The inside of the egg will dry up over time. Rarely, BUT, on occasion gas in the egg can cause a crack. Most pysanky creators will drain the contents of the egg before starting the process. Therefore, dusting is all that is necessary. They should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent any possibility of fading.

About Me

I have been writing pysanky for 5-6 years. Although I feel I can’t come close to the work of artist that have been writing since childhood. These lovely eggs drew me into their mystery and I was lost forever to their beauty. I’m Scotch/Irish/Norwegian by background so I’m a testament to the art becoming part of the heart. I don’t share the culture but I do share the joy. Each artist/crafter of pysanky brings their own imagination and adds to the communal art form and all of its intricacies.