Ukrainian Easter Eggs (pysanky) are made using a centuries old wax-resist (batik) technique.   The name comes from the verb pysaty which means “to write” because the egg is not painted but rather “written” with beeswax using a stylus (kistka) before being dipped in dye. Multiple colors are achieved by writing and dipping the egg repeatedly.  The designs incorporate many different symbols representing life, fertility, the sun, plants and animals, among other things.  However, many of the meanings have changed over the centuries or been lost.  Long considered purely as a folk art, pysanky are gaining recognition as fine art now that artists are taking the craft to a new level.  Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, pysanky have also gained new importance as a symbol of peace and the unique culture of Ukraine.

A design often starts with one of many traditional division patterns.  Once this division is selected, smaller detailed patterns and symbols are added. Eggs with the same division pattern can look completely different.   Non-traditional division patterns and freehand designs are also common.

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