Painted Ukrainian Easter Eggs (Krashanky)

Elaborate painted Easter eggs are a Ukrainian art form in preparation for Easter with fasting and prayers, and a few days before the holiday they bake Easter cakes called Paskha to have them blessed in church, and paint elaborate Easter eggs.

Egg decorating is found around the world, according to the old legends, the world appeared from an egg. Eggs were painted with wax technique across Europe and in ancient India, symbolizing all things alive in the world. Painted eggs were believed to help in various situations. They were used to treat diseases, put out fires and protection from insects and rodents; they were also given as gifts to one’s significant other.

During the 6th century A. D. painted eggs were accepted in the Christian tradition as a symbol of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Painted Ukrainian Easter eggs are called Krashanky or Pysanky. The difference is that Krashanky eggs are painted in a sole color and Pysanky eggs are multicolored. To make Krashanky eggs, Ukrainian’s often use natural colors from nature.

One example of making Krashanky eggs - place the skins of several onions in hot water and let them sit in the water for several hours. After a few hours, bring the water and onion skins to a boil. Once the water begins to boil, add the uncooked eggs and let boil for 10 minutes. After it Krashanky have very beautiful red color (red onion skins), or a golden brown (white onion skins). Some have been known to wrap each egg in the onion skins for deeper, richer colors. Pysanky eggs are a bit more demanding, as they require some artistic abilities, as you can see from the example. Each Ukrainian pysanky egg has its own design which is painted with a paintbrush.

Easter egg painting in Ukrain, until recently, was considered a woman's art. Eggs were painted from Candlemas (February 14) until Trinity Sunday (43 days after Easter).

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