Pisanki – Polish Easter Eggs

As Easter approaches, we thought we’d take a look at Polish Easter traditions, starting with the decorating of Easter eggs, or ‘pisanki.’ This tradition is roughly a thousand years old, dating to pre-Christian times—when spring reawakened the earth, and eggs, symbolizing new life, were decorated in celebration and welcoming of the rebirth of nature after the long winter. This tradition symbolizing rebirth eventually became associated with the resurrection of Jesus, rising from the dead to ascend into Heaven.

In Poland, there are dozens of regional decorating styles, and the most outstanding specimens are exhibited in museums or held by private collectors.

Historically, in Poland the creation of Easter eggs was the domain of women. To avoid inviting bad luck, men weren’t even allowed to enter the room where pisanki were being prepared. When a girl found a particular bachelor worthy of interest, however, she would let him know by giving him a nice painted egg on Easter Monday.

Click here for a more complete look at the art, history and traditions of pisanki.