Easter Eggs Have Nothin' on These Life-Saving Gems, Pisanki

American Easter eggs, died with vinegar and food-coloring, have nothing on there centuries-old Slavic predecessor, Pisanki. These colorful eggs sport highly intricate geometric and floral designs, even animal and human images.

Pisanki, is derived from the Polish "to write," when designs were drawn on an egg shell or the names of the recipients were written on the shell, according to the Polish American Center. Long-practiced throughout Slavic countries, the techniques and designs vary by region, even household. But the Polish version, traditionally uses raw chicken eggs (sometimes goose or duck eggs), molten wax and a stylus.

Pisanki uses a wax-resist method that is like Batik, then is dropped in a series of colorful dye washes.

The eggs were once part of the Polish pagan tradition that symbolized spring and fertility, according to Kerry Kubilius, author of Pisanki, Polish Easter Eggs.The practice was associated with the feminine sphere, where designs and techniques frequently passed from generation to generation by way of mother to daughter.

For more information about Pisanki, Wikipedia has a selection of thorough articles about the history of decorating eggs throughout Slavic countries that includes such interesting facts:

Egg decorating was performed by women as men present during the process were believed to put a spell on the eggs, thereby, causing bad luck.

Some Slavic people in remote areas maintain the belief that their participation in the annual egg decorating must occur in order to ward off danger. "As long as the egg decorating custom continues, the world will exist," according to the article, "Pysanka." Otherwise it is believed a storied serpent will send minions to reap havoc over all.

Consumption of eggs during Easter was not permitted until the 12^th century when the Catholic Church lifted a ban, originally put in place to separate the church from any paganism associated with the practice of egg decorating.

Natural elements were used to yield various colors of dye: onion peels, berries, nuts, roots, bark, beet juice, leaves and flower petals.

Today, Pisanki are passed on Easter before a ceremonial breakfast, where friends and loved-ones exchange the colorful eggs with well-meaning wishes.

You can learn more about what is involved in making the Polish Pisanki here, and for more detailed instructions about how to make other eggs in the Slavic tradition click here.