When did pysanky eggs start being made?

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 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.

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.

How do you make a natural pink dye for eggs?

A natural pink dye for eggs can be made using beets, cranberries or juice, raspberries, red grape juice, or juice from pickled beets. If you wish to make hard-boiled Easter eggs, boil the eggs in water with the dye material and a tablespoon of vinegar, and then simmer for about 15 minutes. If making pysanky, soak the eggs in the juice or a boiled fruit/vegetable solution (with added vinegar).

How do you make natural pink dye for eggs?

A natural pink dye for eggs can be made using beets, cranberries or juice, raspberries, red Grape Juice, or juice from pickled beets. If you wish to make hard-boiled Easter eggs, boil the eggs in water with the dye material and a tablespoon of vinegar, and then simmer for about 15 minutes. If making pysanky, soak the eggs in the juice or a boiled fruit/vegetable solution (with added vinegar).

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.

When did flan start to be made?

By the Romans who experimented cooking with eggs.

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 mayonnaise dairy products?

No. There are no milk products in it. It is made of eggs, oil, and flavorings.No because it only has oil and eggs and when did cows start laying eggs?

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 are eggs that are intricately decorated called?

It depends upon what method was used to decorate the eggs, and where they were made. Eggs can be decorated with dyes, paints, carving, scratching and many other methods. Different ethnic groups give these eggs different names. In Ukraine eggs decorated with dyes, and using a wax resist method, are called pysanky. Eggs decorated by painting them with oil, watercolor or acrylic paints are called malyovanky.

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.