Pysanka (light green)

A pysanka is a Ukrainian or Belarusian Easter egg, decorated with traditional folk designs. A pysanka is often taken to mean any type of decorated egg, but it usually refers to an egg, created by the written-wax batik method and utilizing traditional folk motifs and designs. Several other types of decorated eggs are seen in Ukrainian and Belarusian traditions, and these vary throughout the regions. Each region, each village, and almost every family has its own special ritual, its own symbols, meanings and secret formulas for dyeing eggs. Pysanky are typically made to be given to family members and respected outsiders. To give a pysanka is to give a symbolic gift of life, which is why the egg must remain whole!