How to Make Designs for Pysanky Eggs
Pysanky are the Ukrainian craft of decorated eggs, dating back to ancient times when the Ukrainians worshiped the sun god. Birds were special to the sun god and eggs were magical objects. The eggs warded off evil spirits. In Christian times, pysanky symbolize the beginning of spring, new hope, life and prosperity. The symbols and colors are complex. Now, they bring messages of good will for the recipient. Read on to learn more.
Instructions
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Investigate the traditional symbolism used in pysanky. The symbols are complex and it will be fun to do some research. There are many good resources on pysanky history and symbolism on the web.
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2
Choose the symbols you want for your design. Decide on the purpose of your egg. For a birth, you may want to include a basket, symbolizing motherhood and knowledge in your design, or a stork for the arrival of the new baby. For marriage, you may want to incorporate the cherry representing happiness and love, the 3-leaf design for immortality and eternal love or the lily of the valley suggesting purity.
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3
Arrange the symbols into patterns. Draw your design on a sheet of paper first so you have a template to go on. There are free designs on the web and several pattern books available.
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Select your colors. Each color has specific meaning. Yellow is light and purity. Black is eternity and death. Green is freshness and renewal. Red is love and action. Orange is endurance and strength. Blue is sky and good health.
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Draw the pattern on your egg lightly with a number 2 or harder pencil. Divide the eggs into segments using a thick rubber band put on the egg to create straight lines. Use plastic circle or oval templates to get perfect circles and divide the egg up. Pysanky designs are symmetrical.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a non-repro blue pencil to draw the designs. It doesn't smudge and comes off easily.
Use a vinegar water solution to get pencil off if you make a mistake.
Invest in an egg lathe as it is easier to get straight lines.
Purchase Ukrainian Easter egg dyes and not the regular food eyes. These are brighter.
Don't erase pencil lines when you make a mistake. The eraser leaves a residue on the egg that won't wash off and may show up later when dying the egg.
