Easter Eggs
Of all the symbols associated with Easter the egg, the symbol of fertility and new life, is the most identifiable. The customs and traditions of using eggs have been associated with Easter for centuries.
Originally Easter eggs were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring and were used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. After they were colored and etched with various designs the eggs were exchanged by lovers and romantic admirers, much the same as valentines. In medieval time eggs were traditionally given at Easter to the servants. In Germany eggs were given to children along with other Easter gifts.
|
|
Different cultures have developed their own ways of decorating Easter eggs. Crimson eggs, to honor the blood of Christ, are exchanged in Greece. In parts of Germany and Austria green eggs are used on Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday). Slavic peoples decorate their eggs in special patterns of gold and silver.
Austrian artists design patterns by fastening ferns and tiny plants around the eggs, which are then boiled. The plants are then removed revealing a striking white pattern. The Poles and Ukrainians decorate eggs with simple designs and colors. A number of eggs are made in the distinctive manner called pysanki (to design, to write).
Pysanki eggs are a masterpiece of skill and workmanship. Melted beeswax is applied to the fresh white egg. It is then dipped in successive baths of dye. After each dip wax is painted over the area where the preceding color is to remain. Eventually a complex pattern of lines and colors emerges into a work of art.
In Germany and other countries eggs used for cooking where not broken, but the contents were removed by piercing the end of each egg with a needle and blowing the contents into a bowl. The hollow eggs were dyed and hung from shrubs and trees during the Easter Week. The Armenians would decorate hollow eggs with pictures of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other religious designs.
Related Articles:
Easter Egg Hunt
The Easter Bunny
The Origin of the Easter Bunny & Colored Easter Eggs
Easter Peeps: Marshmallowy Goodness
Make Your Own Easter Baskets
Easter Egg Games
Easter Home |
Letter 2 Easter Bunny |
Did You Know Easter? |
When is Easter? |
Story of Easter
Easter/ Christianity |
Lenten Season |
Palm Sunday |
Good Friday |
Easter in Holy Land
Why Different Dates? |
Greek Easter |
Russian Easter |
Easter Lily |
Why Easter Eggs?
Easter Bunny & Eggs |
The Easter Bunny |
Carrot Patch |
Easter Egg Games |
Decorating Eggs+
Easter Egg Hunt |
Make Easter Basket |
Peeps & Easter |
Easter Blog |
Easter Crafts
Easter Coloring Pics |
Easter Kids Page |
Easter Recipes |
eCards |
Holiday Tweets
Newsletter/Text Msg |
Advertise With Us |
Link to Us |
Contact Us |
Site Map |
Easter Home
All images, animation, text, video, java, javascript, audio, html
© Copyright © 1995-2009, Holidays on the Net
Reproduction or other use without written consent is illegal
