To paraphrase a Ukrainian saying, "As long as someone is dyeing an egg, the world will keep going on." To say that egg dying is an important part of Ukranian culture would be an understatement.

The Ukrainian tradition of egg dying is called "pysanky". Archaeologists believe that the tradition dates back at least 4,000 years. When it began, the symbols used on the eggs related to pagan belief systems, but when Christianity overtook Eastern Europe, the symbols were incorporated into the Eastern Orthodox observation of Easter.

Ukrainian egg dying is similar to batik in that it involves the use of melted wax. A stylus is used to paint designs with wax, then the egg is dipped into a dye. More layers of wax are carefully drawn on the egg, which is then subsequently dipped into other colors. When the wax process is finished, the egg is held over a flame to melt the wax, revealing beautiful designs and colors.

According to tradition, each pysanky artist, most often a woman, is supposed to give away all the eggs that they decorate. The designs and colors used on the eggs have special meaning in Ukrainian culture: some designs are more fit for an older man for instance, while certain paler colors are used in the eggs decorated for children.

In Ukrainian tradition, any kind of bird egg from ostrich to quail can be decorated. Some are "blown out" and kept as decorations, some are boiled and then peeled and eaten.

Today top pysanky artists can sell a single egg for $100.00. Though you probably won't be able to sell your eggs for that much, it is possible to learn how to do basic pysanky designs yourself for this Easter. The stylus' and wax are available at some craft stores, and there is a virtual encyclopedia's worth of information available in books and on-line about how to master this beautiful art.

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