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Lent is coming to an end, and very soon we will meet Easter. What will be the festive table on this day, each hostess decides for herself. One thing remains unchanged — we will definitely put a large dish with colored eggs on it. This symbolic tradition has come to us from the depths of centuries. But what does it mean? Why is it customary to paint eggs at Easter? How did they do it in the old days? We study Easter traditions together with experts of the Praxis trademark.
A small miracle of life
Let’s start with the main thing — where did the tradition of painting eggs for Easter come from? The most famous legend says that shortly after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalena was at a sermon in Rome and met the Emperor Tiberius. She presented him with an egg with the words ” Christ is risen!”. In response, the ruler said that it was more likely that this egg would turn red than he would believe in the possibility of resurrection. At the same moment, the egg in Maria’s hand turned purple. So, in fact, the custom of painting eggs for Easter appeared.
The egg itself as the main symbol of Easter was also not chosen by chance. Since ancient times, it represents the birth of a new life. By dying on the cross, Jesus gave humanity the opportunity to atone for their sins and find salvation in the Kingdom of Heaven. In other words, to be reborn for a new life. And in this case, the eggshell symbolizes the Holy sepulchre, and the red color-the blood he shed. In addition, in Eastern culture, red is a symbol of royal power. And Jesus Christ, as you know, is called the king of the Jews in the Bible.
All the colors of nature
Today, you can paint eggs in any colors you want. Special coloring powders and ready-made liquid paints facilitate this task. In the old days, they did without all this and used what nature itself gave.
Perhaps the most popular method, which our mothers and grandmothers resort to in the old way, is onion husk. Thanks to it, the eggs acquire a dark red, brown or orange color. A similar color scheme is given by a strong decoction of cherry bark.
A decoction of nettle leaves makes the eggshell pale green, and an infusion of birch buds — light yellow. To get a more intense shade, it is better to use turmeric. You can paint the eggs in a pale purple color with the help of red cabbage. To do this, it is finely chopped and steamed in boiling water. A decoction of beetroot helps to achieve a soft pink shade. And to make the eggs become a rich green color and shimmer with mother-of-pearl, use the usual green paint.
Krashenki: we draw with one color
Most often in the old days, krashenki, or krashanki, were made for Easter — plain eggs, most often red in color. On the table there should have been 13 painted ones, according to the number of the apostles led by Jesus Christ. It was such eggs that were taken to be carried to visit, distributed to the poor and put on the graves of relatives. If the eggs were consecrated in the temple, the shell was not thrown out in any case — it was crushed and poured into the river.
Let’s try the method with onion husks in practice. Fill the pan in which the eggs will be cooked with onion husks, fill with water and cook for 15-20 minutes. Then we completely cool the broth. An important subtlety. If you want to get an even shade, strain the broth through a sieve. If you are satisfied with an abstract pattern with streaks, leave the husk in the pan. So, we put 10 chicken eggs of the selected category “Praxis” in the cooled broth, put a little salt and cook over low heat for 7-8 minutes. We take out the eggs and carefully wipe them with a cotton cloth soaked in vegetable oil.
Drapanki: needles and paints
Just as popular in the old days were drapanki, they are also shkrabanki. Here it was already possible to show a little imagination. For this method of painting, it is best to take eggs with a dark shell. Such as chicken table eggs “Praxis” of the first category. They have a strong brown shell, which will easily tolerate decorative and applied manipulations and will not crack during cooking.
The essence of this method of painting is simple. Boil 8 eggs in the onion peel in the usual way. The more intense the color of the broth, the better. When the eggs have cooled down, draw a pattern on the shell with a simple pencil. It can be simple curls, the inscription “XB” or a whole flower arrangement. Then, using a needle or an awl, we carefully scratch the pattern on the shell. The thinner the needle, the more expressive the pattern will be. You can walk over it from above with a contrasting color — it will turn out even more spectacular. After that, the eggs also need to be covered with a thin layer of vegetable oil.
Krapanki: wax tears
Previously, wax was often used to dye eggs. So krapanki appeared on the festive table. It is easy to make them at home. Feel free to involve children in such an interesting activity. We will need Praxiki chicken eggs with selenium. Bright red cardboard packaging and a funny name will attract their attention and set them up in a creative way.
Cook the eggs in advance, prepare a candle and two coloring solutions, for example, red and yellow. We dip one egg in a red solution, the other in a yellow one. After a few seconds, we take out the eggs and let them dry completely. We light the wick of the candle and carefully drip melted wax on the shell to make neat droplets. When they are frozen, we put the red egg in a yellow solution, and the yellow egg in a red one. Again, we take out the eggs and dry them. Now it remains to carefully scrape off the wax. When you completely remove it, the eggs will be covered with mischievous specks.
Pysanki: a masterpiece on the shell
Only real craftsmen could make Easter eggs for Easter. It required artistic talent, perseverance and skillful hands. The principle is largely the same as in the case of krapankami, only the patterns are more complex. Think about them in advance and make a few sketches on paper.
We will need 4 chicken eggs of the selected Praxis category, enriched with selenium. We will cook them hard-boiled and thoroughly wipe them with vinegar to degrease the surface. We will prepare 4 coloring solutions in advance: yellow, red, green and black.
We melt the wax and use a brush to apply the first part of the pattern to a clean shell. You should start with the lightest tone and gradually move to the darkest. Therefore, for the first time we lower the egg into the yellow solution, stand for a few seconds and blot it with a dry clean cloth. Next, we apply the second part of the pattern with wax and dip the egg in a red solution. We repeat the same with the green and black solution.
When all the layers of paint are applied, you need to hold the egg over an open flame for a while. The wax will become soft, and you can easily remove it, after which a multi-layered pattern will appear on the shell. Do not forget to rub the eggs with vegetable oil so that they shine dazzlingly.
These are the Easter traditions that existed in the old days. Why don’t we revive them and do something special? Whatever idea you take as a basis, you can not do without large delicious eggs of the highest quality. You will find them in the brand line of the Praxis brand. These are eggs of the selected and first category, which are distinguished by a strong clean brown shell and a bright golden yolk. They will become the main decoration of the festive table for Easter and will appeal to everyone without exception.