Pysanky (singular - pysanka) is an art of the Ukraine that predates that regions acceptance of Christianity in 988 a.d.

Traditionally pysanky was a woman's art. Young women would carefully choose an egg that was free of flaws. It would sometimes take weeks to find the perfect egg.

Originally the insides were left intact because the egg was a symbol of life. Today most pysanky are emptied because of the many things that can cause one to break or explode.

These decorated eggs were believed to hold great powers. Families would have a bowl of pysanky to protect the house from fire. Eggs would be made and given to bring the wishes denoted in the motifs to the person who would receive it.

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