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Almost all bird eggs are suitable for pysanky. Non-white eggs, such as Rhea or Emu, require special techniques, but can still be used for pysanky. Chicken, Duck and Goose eggs are most commmonly used. They require no special preparation, only simple cleaning to remove dirt. Ostrich eggs have a heavy glossy outer coat with amny irregularities. They are usually sanded to a smooth finish before using. Rhea and Emu shells come in shades of dark green to light green. The light green shades can be dyed without removing the outer shell. To use the dark green shells one would have to remove the top layer by etching or sanding. Finch eggshells can be used, but they are fragile to the touch. Pigeon eggs tend to be oily and do not dye well. Parakeet shells are the best if you want to make tiny pysanky.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoFirst of all, calling them pysanky eggs is incorrect. They are pysanky, or Ukrainian Easter eggs. A single one would be a pysanka.
Pysanky were traditionally talismanic objects--they were used in spring rituals, first in the pagan culture, and later in Christianity. They were both protective and promoted fertility (good crops, healthy livestock, etc.).
Today they are decorative items for the most part.
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What are the origins of pysanky?
Ancient people worshipped the sun, which warmed the earth and was the source of all life. In winter, earth was dormant and appeared to be without life. Likewise a whole egg appears to be lifeless. In spring the earth renewed herself, and new life sprang from the egg. Thus the egg is a perfect symbol of the sudden burst of life from dormancy. Ancient Ukrainians believed that eggs had special powers. Eggs were decorated with symbols that had magical and protective powers; these powers were thus transfered to the egg, which was used for talismanic purposes. When Christianity came to Ukraine (Kyivan Rus), the egg was incorporated into Easter celebrations. Easter is the culmination of the Christian year, and celebrates the victory of life over death. The pysanka, which had been created in ancient times during spring festivities celebrating the rebirth of nature, was an ideal symbol for then new Christian Easter holiday. Pysanky created for Easter had many purposes. The original purposes were protective and magical. Pysanky were left in a bowl in the house to protect it from evil. They were placed in the stables and beehives to not simply protect the beasts of the household, but to insure their future fertility. Pysanky were hung in fruit trees to assure a plentiful harvest, and farmers buried eggs in their fields to assure a bountiful harvest. Pysanky were also given as gifts to friends and family: children received light, colorful pysanky with floral designs, while teenagers received eggs with lots of white, indicating that their future was a blank page. Married couples received 40 triangle eggs, which represent power in all facets of life, while older people received black eggs with ladders and gates, representing the ascent to heaven. Making pysanky was not a social event, but an important religious ritual. The women of the family would gather on the given day, say a few prayers, and work together to produce a family's pysanky. Men rarely participated (it was unheard of), and this ritual was performed in near silence at the end of a day sanctified by refraining from gossip, argument, or sin. The pysanka maker prayed that the recipient of her eggs would be endowed with joy, good fortune, happiness, and protection from harm. In the mid-19th century traditions began to change as the world grew more modern. Pysanky were less and less considered magical objects, and more and more considered mere objects of art. They began to be sold, and used mainly as pretty decorations. The knowledge of the meaning of their symbols began to be forgotten. And rather than being made and given away during the great spring holiday (velykden), they began to be given away year round.
What is an egg finding?
Findings are jewellery components used to create assembled jewelry. Elements considered findings include clasps, earwires, crimps, jumprings, link locks and bead tips. Findings may be used on pysanky for various reasons. Some people like to use them (usually beads or gold or silver filigree) to conceal the hole(s) in the egg. They can be attached to very small eggs (e.g. parakeet) to make them into jewelry. Findings that look like little caps and may have a small loop to which one can attach a chain or hook, and can be used to allow pysanky to be hung and used as Christmas ornaments.
What is the best way to display pysanky?
There are many ways to display pysanky, but you should never to display them in direct sunlight. Aniline dyes will fade when placed in prolonged sunlight, making your pysanka dull and drab. (It's probably a good idea to keep the eggs out of any strong direct light to avoid fading.) Also, if the pysanka hasn't been emptied, the heat from the sun or other light source could cause the gases within it to expand and the egg to explode. Pysanky are small works of art, and should be treated as such. They may be displayed in baskets or bowls, in individual egg holders, hung from a stand, or placed in specially made display cabinets. If you have many pysanky to display and not enough room, then a riser might be useful.
Is it okay to dye a duck egg for Easter?
Of course it's okay to dye a duck egg for Easter. Traditionally, chicken eggs were the eggs of choice for making pysanky, but any egg that was handy could be used: goose, duck, swan. Today pysanka artists use duck, chicken, and goose eggs to create traditional patterns, and quail, turkey, rhea, and ostrich eggshells to make non-traditional ones. Duck eggs have a tougher outer coat to protect them, and often do not accept the dye as readily as chicken eggs. This may result in a more pastel final effect. You can try cleaning the surface of the egg really well with vinegar to see if that helps. Have fun!
Why does Easter egg dye come off?
Most Easter egg dyes are water based, and so will re-dissolve in water if given the chance. If the egg becomes moist (even if held in a damp hand), the dye will come off. In the case of eggs meant to be eaten, this is not a very big deal. In the case of eggs made to be saved, like pysanky, this can be a problem. That is why most pysanka artists coat their finished eggs with a protective varnish.
What countries are famous for pysanky?
Pysanky are, by definition, Ukrainian Easter eggs, so Ukraine is famous for pysanky. Pysanky are also made in the diaspora (by emigrants), particularly in the USA, Canada and Brazil.
What kind of egg shell is used for writing Ukrainian pysanky?
Most pysanky are written on chicken eggs, as those are the most readily available ones. Pysanky can be written on just about any type of bird egg, although some work better than others. Goose eggs are popular, as they have thick shells and take the dye well. Duck eggs are lovely and translucent, but can be difficult to dye. Ostrich eggs need preparation to dye, and many hours of work, as they are quite large. Turkey and quail eggs need to have the outer coat, with its brown spots, before they can be used. Pysanky have been written on more exotic eggs, too-swan, emu, parakeet, etc. The eggs of smaller birds are often much more fragile and do not dye well.
Which country did the Pysanky eggs originate?
Maine i dont know where did it come from :))
Can blueberries paint an egg?
Blueberries, or an extract of blueberries, can used to color eggs, but the color does not last. It quickly fades and turns a gray color. It is not a commonly used natural dye for making pysanky, but might be useful for ordinary Easter eggs.
What was the Ukrainian Easter egg decorated with?
In earlier times, pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs) were decorated with natural dyes and beeswax to create beautiful batik eggs. Nowadays modern chemical dyes are used, but the process is otherwise the same.
What does Pysanky mean?
The word "Pysankа" is Ukrainian, and comes from the word "pysaty (писати)," which means "to write." Pysanky (plural) are eggs that have been written rather than just dyed. They are created by a process of wax-resist (aka batik). Pysanky are quite beautiful and and can be quite intricately decorated. They have a rich and ancient history associated with spring (and, in more recent times, Easter). Traditional pysanka designs have been passed along for many generations, and possibly thousands of years. Many pysankary (pysanka artists) both in Ukraine and the world over create wax resist that depart from the traditional colors and patterns, but are often still referred to by that word "pysanka." To see a list of Pysanka FAQs, check out the WikiAnswer "Pysanky Egg Art" section, which is categorized under Hobbies and Collectibles/Arts and Crafts. To see examples of pysanky, and to learn how to make them, see the list of "Related Links" in the following section.
When did pysanky eggs start being made?
Nobody knows for certain. The oldest pysanka yet discovered is about 500 years old. Most of the designs on pysanky predate christianity, which was introduced into Ukraine in 988. The priests tried to eradicate many pagan customs, but were unable to, becasue they were so entrenched; pysankarstvo was one of these.
Why were pysanky made?
Ancient people worshipped the sun, which warmed the earth and was the source of all life. In winter, earth was dormant and appeared to be without life. Likewise a whole egg appears to be lifeless. In spring the earth renewed herself, and new life sprang from the egg. Thus the egg is a perfect symbol of the sudden burst of life from dormancy. Ancient Ukrainians believed that eggs had special powers. Eggs were decorated with symbols that had magical and protective powers; these powers were thus transfered to the egg, which was used for talismanic purposes. When Christianity came to Ukraine (Kyivan Rus), the egg was incorporated into Easter celebrations. Easter is the culmination of the Christian year, and celebrates the victory of life over death. The pysanka, which had been created in ancient times during spring festivities celebrating the rebirth of nature, was an ideal symbol for then new Christian Easter holiday. Pysanky created for Easter had many purposes. The original purposes were protective and magical. Pysanky were left in a bowl in the house to protect it from evil. They were placed in the stables and beehives to not simply protect the beasts of the household, but to insure their future fertility. Pysanky were hung in fruit trees to assure a plentiful harvest, and farmers buried eggs in their fields to assure a bountiful harvest. Pysanky were also given as gifts to friends and family: children received light, colorful pysanky with floral designs, while teenagers received eggs with lots of white, indicating that their future was a blank page. Married couples received 40 triangle eggs, which represent power in all facets of life, while older people received black eggs with ladders and gates, representing the ascent to heaven. Making pysanky was not a social event, but an important religious ritual. The women of the family would gather on the given day, say a few prayers, and work together to produce a family's pysanky. Men rarely participated (it was unheard of), and this ritual was performed in near silence at the end of a day sanctified by refraining from gossip, argument, or sin. The pysanka maker prayed that the recipient of her eggs would be endowed with joy, good fortune, happiness, and protection from harm. In the mid-19th century traditions began to change as the world grew more modern. Pysanky were less and less considered magical objects, and more and more considered mere objects of art. They began to be sold, and used mainly as pretty decorations. The knowledge of the meaning of their symbols began to be forgotten. And rather than being made and given away during the great spring holiday (velykden), they began to be given away year round.
What are the origins of pysanky?
Ancient people worshipped the sun, which warmed the earth and was the source of all life. In winter, earth was dormant and appeared to be without life. Likewise a whole egg appears to be lifeless. In spring the earth renewed herself, and new life sprang from the egg. Thus the egg is a perfect symbol of the sudden burst of life from dormancy. Ancient Ukrainians believed that eggs had special powers. Eggs were decorated with symbols that had magical and protective powers; these powers were thus transfered to the egg, which was used for talismanic purposes. When Christianity came to Ukraine (Kyivan Rus), the egg was incorporated into Easter celebrations. Easter is the culmination of the Christian year, and celebrates the victory of life over death. The pysanka, which had been created in ancient times during spring festivities celebrating the rebirth of nature, was an ideal symbol for then new Christian Easter holiday. Pysanky created for Easter had many purposes. The original purposes were protective and magical. Pysanky were left in a bowl in the house to protect it from evil. They were placed in the stables and beehives to not simply protect the beasts of the household, but to insure their future fertility. Pysanky were hung in fruit trees to assure a plentiful harvest, and farmers buried eggs in their fields to assure a bountiful harvest. Pysanky were also given as gifts to friends and family: children received light, colorful pysanky with floral designs, while teenagers received eggs with lots of white, indicating that their future was a blank page. Married couples received 40 triangle eggs, which represent power in all facets of life, while older people received black eggs with ladders and gates, representing the ascent to heaven. Making pysanky was not a social event, but an important religious ritual. The women of the family would gather on the given day, say a few prayers, and work together to produce a family's pysanky. Men rarely participated (it was unheard of), and this ritual was performed in near silence at the end of a day sanctified by refraining from gossip, argument, or sin. The pysanka maker prayed that the recipient of her eggs would be endowed with joy, good fortune, happiness, and protection from harm. In the mid-19th century traditions began to change as the world grew more modern. Pysanky were less and less considered magical objects, and more and more considered mere objects of art. They began to be sold, and used mainly as pretty decorations. The knowledge of the meaning of their symbols began to be forgotten. And rather than being made and given away during the great spring holiday (velykden), they began to be given away year round.
Are there special paints for pysanky eggs?
Pysanky are not made with paints, they are made with dyes. In earlier times, pysanky were dyed with natural (and usually botanical) dyes mades from flowers, onion skins, grasses, bark, etc. Today most pysanka makers use chemical dyes of the same sort used to dye silk and wool known as acid dyes (often referred to as aniline dyes). They are quite different than the dyes (food coloring) used to dye the traditional monochromatic Easter eggs (Paas, etc.). These dyes can be purchased from craft stores (some) and pysanka supply sites. You can also purchase powdered dyes meant for wool or silk, and mix them up by adding about half a teaspoon to a cup and a half of boiling water along with a tablespoon of vinegar. See the link below for more information on dyes and other pysanka supplies.
What is an egg finding?
Findings are jewellery components used to create assembled jewelry. Elements considered findings include clasps, earwires, crimps, jumprings, link locks and bead tips. Findings may be used on pysanky for various reasons. Some people like to use them (usually beads or gold or silver filigree) to conceal the hole(s) in the egg. They can be attached to very small eggs (e.g. parakeet) to make them into jewelry. Findings that look like little caps and may have a small loop to which one can attach a chain or hook, and can be used to allow pysanky to be hung and used as Christmas ornaments.
How do you find pysanka artists?
Pysanka making is becoming a more and more common art form, and there are many artists with web sites. Start by doing a search for "pysanka artist" online using a search engine. Other search terms to consider are:Ukrainian Egg DecoratingPysanky egg artUkrainian Easter EggsThere is a great online listserv devoted to pysanky where you can get information and ask questions. Go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Eggs-Pysanky/See link in "Related links" below.Many artists post photos of their work to Flickr; you can see them there by searching for pysanky or Ukrainian Easter eggs. Many sell them through eBay and Etsy; doing similar searches there will give you lots of results.If you want to learn how to write pysanky, you can try looking on Ann Morash's web site (link below) or check with your local Ukrainian community.
