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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 died 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
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