Let's talk about a beautiful Easter tradition that many Americans may not know about: painting pysanky eggs! This craft is probably unfamiliar to most families, who have their own Easter egg rituals. For Ree Drummond's husband Ladd, organizing the Easter egg hunt at their church means filling dozens of eggs in an assembly line with the Drummond kids. "Six hundred (😂) eggs later, and they were all done!" Ree said, poking fun at them last year.
In the Orthodox Christian tradition, you have a gorgeous egg painting technique that has been passed down through generations of Central and Eastern European families, dating back to pagan times: pysanky eggs! Ukrainian pysanky eggs are decorated using a wax-resist method, resulting in unique Easter egg designs that are deeply symbolic and meaningful. Making pysanky eggs is a labor of love that requires patience, attention to detail, and a steady hand. It's a beautiful and rewarding craft that all ages can enjoy. Read on to find out where pysanky eggs come from, plus how to make them!
Why do Ukrainians make pysanky eggs?
The name of these Easter eggs contains part of their story. Pysanky (or pysanka in the singular form) is rooted in the Ukrainian verb "to write." In this case, that refers to the pretty patterns you would scrawl across the eggs. Ukrainian Easter eggs often feature intricate designs and symbols, such as flowers, animals, and geometric shapes, each with its own significance.
There are a few different origin stories for how this cultural tradition began. According to Pysanky for Peace, the practice comes from ancient Ukrainian peoples who worshiped the sun as the source of life on earth. During pre-Christian times, they believed birds were the sun God's chosen creations, so eggs decorated with nature symbols became integral to spring rituals. With the acceptance of Christianity, the egg took on new meaning as the rebirth of man. Pysanky eggs continued to play a major role in how Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter and were thought to protect from misfortune. Today, they are still used as talismans and symbolize the resurrection of Christ.
How do you make pysanky eggs?
The process involves applying melted wax to the eggshell in a design, then dipping it into different colored dyes, layer by layer. Once the final layer of dye is applied, the wax is melted off to reveal the intricate design underneath. Many symbols you find on pysanky eggs carry meaning: triangles represent the holy trinity, chicks can represent fertility, and deer represent strength. Traditionally, the designs are chosen to represent the character of the person to whom the egg will be given.
To make beautiful pysanky eggs, the key lies in symmetry! This is achieved by using a pencil to section off the egg into a grid and then drawing the basic design within the grid. Once that is in place, you would use a traditional tool to carefully apply the melted beeswax to any areas of the egg you want to remain shell-colored. The wax seals the section off from the dye.
When it comes time to dye the eggs, you start with the lightest colors and work your way toward the darkest. For example, say you start with yellow—you would dunk your egg in yellow dye and allow it to dry. Then, cover any section of the egg you want to remain yellow with a layer of wax and move on to the next color. After the wax is melted or gently scrapped off, you can use a spray to seal in the color.
It may take a try or two to get used to, but pysanky eggs are well worth it! Luckily, you can find plenty of DIY kits that make the process run smoothly.
How long do pysanky eggs last?
Typically, folks will use smooth raw eggs for a pysanka. According to NPR, you don't necessarily need to empty them because the liquid inside will eventually dry out (keep these dry and away from extreme heat or cold to prevent cracks). However, if you do decide to empty yours, do so by poking a small hole in the bottom after painting. Either way, pysanky eggs can last for years if stored properly.
If you decide to hard boil the eggs, well, those will last as long as any old hardboiled eggs—about a week in the fridge!
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Micaela Bahn is a freelance editorial assistant and recent graduate from Carleton College, where she majored in English literature. She loves running, photography, and cooking the best new recipes.
