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The shell of an egg is a protein-calcium carbonate matrix, with the outermost layer (cuticle) being mostly protein. Egg dyes, which are acid based, bind to the protein portions of the eggshell. Eggs can be dyed both with natural vegetable and animal based dyes, or with modern aniline dyes. These dyes are all acid dyes, meaning that the dye releases hydrogen anions in water. Beeswax is used to "write" designs on eggs. The area covered with wax is protected from the dye and will not change color. By using a series of waxings and dye baths, intricate designs can be created. Click on the links below for more detailed information.
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What country has the strongest tradition of Pysanky egg coloring in Easter?
"Pysanka" is a Ukrainian word, so the creation of pysanky is most common in Ukraine. Other countries, especially Slavic ones, also have traditions of wax resist egg decoration, but give it different names.
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.
What is the real name for Ukrainian egg art?
In Ukrainian, the intricate, decorative sort of Easter eggs, not the ones made for eating, are called "pysanky" (singular "pysanka"). The art of making them is called "pysankarstvo" in Ukrainian, or simply "pysanka making" in English. The actual process (using wax and dyes) is commonly referred to as "batik."
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.
What is a kistka?
A kistka is a small, funnel-shaped tool used in the art of pysanky, or Ukrainian egg decorating. It is traditionally made of metal and is used to apply beeswax in a precise manner onto the eggshell before dyeing. The wax acts as a resist, preventing the dye from reaching the shell in the areas covered, creating intricate and colorful designs on the egg.
In what country did the pysanky egg art begin?
"Pysanky" is a Ukrainian term, so technically the answer to your question is that pysanky egg art began in Ukraine.Decorated eggs have traditionally been created by Slavic people of the many nations and ethnic groups of what is now Central and Eastern Europe. The wax resist and dye method reached its greatest perfection in the territory now known as Ukraine. Each region within Ukraine has its own particular style and traditional colors, symbols, and designs. The intricate and detailed designs that most of us associate with pysanky developed from styles common to the Hutsul people of the Carpathian mountain region of Ukraine.Incidentally, some ethnographers postulate that the original homeland of the Slavic peoples was in the territory now occupied by Ukraine, most likely Western or Northwestern Ukraine.
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.
How do you dye a blown egg?
If you have a goose egg or smaller, cap the hole (or holes) with beeswax. To do this, make a tiny ball of wax, flatten it into a disc, and place it over the hole. Then use your kistka to "seal" the edges where the disc of wax meets the shell. You can either roll the egg around in the dye, or, if you need more color saturation, hold the egg down in the dye using a spoon or a capped jar of water as a weight. Be sure to rotate the egg gently every 5 minutes or so to avoid base spots where the dye will not adhere to the shell where it was touching the surface of the dye jar. After you remove the egg from the dye, immediately remove the cap. Dry the egg with paper towels, and if it seems that dye got inside the egg, twist a piece of Kleenex into a point and insert it into the hole in the egg. Invert it and let it dry out overnight before re-dyeing. For more information about pysanky, or Ukrainian egg decorating, see the "Pysanky Egg Art" category under Hobbies and Collectibles/Arts and Crafts.
What are some creative ways to decorate Easter eggs?
Pysanky - Ukrainian Easter EggsThis is a wonderful ancient art form which uses wax and dyes to create beautiful, intricately decorated eggs. You can see the list of questions under the "Pysanky Egg Art" category, listed under Hobbies and Collectibles/Arts and Crafts, or visit the pages linked below.Quick BatikWrite on an egg with crayons (light colored) and then dye it--this is a simple form of batik, and can give interesting results.Silk Ties - Color EggsYou can cut up old silk ties and use them to make egg dye. If you go to the Martha Stewart web site, she has a video to show you how to use old silk ties to color eggs.Rubber Band EggsWrapping some rubber bands around an egg before coloring it can leave some pretty cool looking white stripes on the egg.
What does egg dying have to do with life?
Everything, since that egg is no longer going to produce life if the chick inside it is dead or dying.
How do you teach pysanky?
Pysanky are created using wax and dyes. Have you ever drawn on an egg with crayon then dipped it into dye? When you do that, the dye will not absorb into the shell beneath the crayon marks, so when you take the egg out of the dye, a pattern remains on the egg.When making pysanky, the wax is applied with a kistka or pysachok (Ukrainian words that refers to the tool used to heat and apply the wax). The egg is placed into several dye baths, after each of which more wax is applied. At the end of the process, the wax is melted off and the pattern is revealed. This is a wax resist technique, much like batik.(For more detailed information about pysanky, explore the category "Pysanky Egg Art" on this web site. It is under Hobbies and Collectibles/Arts and Crafts.)For a nice set of step-by-step photos, or more detailed instructions, check out the links below.As with most handcrafts, hands on instruction is the best way to learn pysankarstvo (the art of writing pysanky). It really helps to have someone guide you through the process.Many books have been published on the subject in recent years No one of them is perfect, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. This is a list of some useful ones (not in alphabetical order):For traditional pysanky (traditions, history and photos):ELYJIW, ZENON. 60 Score of Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Self published, Buffalo, NY. 1994. A book featuring 1200 traditional pysanky arranged by motif and division. This book is now out of print, but a valuable resource if you can find it.MANKO, VIRA. The Ukrainian Folk Pysanka. L'viv, Ukraine: Svichado Press, 2005. This probably the best book in print on the subject of the folk (traditional) pysanka. It covers, in great depth and with great scholarship, the history, traditions, myths and symbolism of the pysanka. Pysanka making techniques are covered as well, albeit fairly briefly. In addition, there are color plates with 1460 different traditional pysanky from every corner of Ukraine. It is the book for anyone interested in true traditional pysanky.TKACHUK, MARY AND MARIE KISHCHUK, ALICE NICHOLAICHUK. Pysanka: Icon of the Universe. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada: Ukrainian Museum, 1977. This short little booklet full of information about pysanka history, folklore, and symbolism. The ethnographical and historical information within is priceless. Pysanka making instructions are minimal, but there are some good hints and tips here.For techniques:LUCIOW, JOHANNA AND ANNE KMIT AND LORETTA LUCIOW. Eggs Beautiful: How to Make Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Minneapolis, MN: Gopher State Litho, 1975. This early UGS book presents a very basic explanation of the culture, history, and techniques of pysankarstvo along with eighteen step-by-step designs in black and white.KMIT, ANNE AND , LORETTA LUCIOW, JANET LUCIOW, AND LUBA PERCHYSHYN. Ukrainian Easter Eggs: And How We Make Them. Minneapolis, MN: Ukrainian Gift Shop, 1979. If you only buy one of the UGS series, this is the one to get. It begins with the culture and history of pysanky, along with an excellent explanation of the symbolism and techniques, before presenting twenty-seven eggs in simple, clear, black and white illustrations. Unfortunately, it is currently out of print.PERCHYSHYN, NATALIE. A Kid's Guide to Decorating Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Minneapolis, MN: Gopher State Litho, 2000. With bold colors and a spiral binding (making it easier to lie flat), this book seems simple, but nonetheless presents the entire pysanka writing process along with many tips and tricks.Art pysanky/coffee table books:BADULAK, HELEN. Pysanky in the 21st Century. Kutztown, PA: The Kutztown Publishing Company, Inc., 2004. This books discusses pysanka writing techniques, and has many color photos of the author's own pysanky. NOTE: The Helen Badulak book is lovely, but it is not for beginners. If you are just starting out, either the Kids' Guide or the Eggs Beautiful book are best.POLLAK, JANE. Decorating Eggs: Exquisite Designs with Wax and Dye. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 1998. Jane Pollak became famous for her magnificent quilt-pattern eggs, which sold for a fortune at exclusive Manhattan are galleries before she turned her attention to inspirational speaking. The book has photographs of modern pysanky from artists all around the world, and includes descriptions of technique as well.
