Ukrainian Pysanky Egg-Making

Pysanky are traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs, decorated using a wax-resist technique. I learned how to make pysanky at church when I was ten years old. Over the last two decades, I have enjoyed teaching workshops for people of all ages. The egg-making process is very simple: draw with melted wax, dip in aniline dye, and repeat. The final design is revealed at the end when all of the wax is removed.

 

Pysanky-making is an ancient craft, and is currently listed as an endangered cultural practice on the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts. According to Ukrainian folklore, an evil monster is chained deep beneath the earth, and each year it struggles to break free. The only thing keeping it bound is the making of pysanky. Every egg created strengthens the chains, while neglecting the tradition weakens them. As long as people continue to make pysanky, the monster will remain imprisoned, and goodness will prevail in the world.