Pisanka (Polish)

Pisanka (Polish)

Polish pisanka (plural pisanki) is a common name for an egg (usually that of a chicken, although goose or duck eggs are also used) ornamented using various techniques. Originating as a pagan tradition, pisanki were absorbed by Christianity to become the traditional Easter egg. Pisanki now symbolise the revival of nature and the hope that Christians gain from faith in the resurrection of Jesus.

There are various types of pisanki, based on the technique and preparation used:
* Kraszanki (sometimes called malowanki or byczki) are made by boiling an egg in a decoction of plants or other natural products. The colour of kraszanka depends on the kind of product used:
** "brown": onion peels;
** "black": oak or alder bark or the nutshell of walnut;
** "golden": the bark of young apple tree or the marigold flower;
** "violet": petals of the mallow flower;
** "green": shoots of young rye or leaves of periwinkle;
** "pink": the juice of beet.
* Drapanki or skrobanki are made by scratching the surface of a "kraszanka" with a sharp tool to reveal the white of the egg shell.
* Pisanki are created by drawing (Polish: "pisanie") on an egg shell covered with a layer of molten wax, or alternately drawing designs with wax on a bare egg. The egg is then submerged into a dye.
* Naklejanki or nalepianki are decorated with petals of elderberry, scraps of colourful paper (including wycinanki) or with patches of cloth. Popular in Łowicz and the surrounding area.
* Oklejanki or wyklejanki are decorated with bulrush pith or yarn. They are common in the Podlasie region of Poland.

The oldest known Polish pisanki date from the 10th century, although it is probable that eggs were decorated by Slavic peoples even earlier.

In the past, only women decorated eggs. Men were not allowed to come inside the house during the process, as it was believed that they could put a spell on the eggs, and cause bad luck.

Until the 12th century, the Catholic church forbade the consumption of eggs during Easter. The church wished to distance itself from the pagan roots of the tradition connected with the cult of the dead, in which the egg played an important role as a symbol of rebirth. This ban was lifted, but it was necessary to offer a special prayer before eating.

Today in Poland, eggs and pisanki are hallowed on Easter Saturday along with the traditional Easter basket. On Easter Sunday, before the ceremonial breakfast, these eggs are exchanged and shared among the family at the table. This is a symbol of friendship, similar to the sharing of the Opłatek (Christmas wafer) on Christmas Eve.

See also

* Easter egg
* Egg decorating in Slavic culture
* Pisanica (Croatian)
* Pysanka (Ukrainian)
* Święconka

External links

* [http://www.polishamericancenter.org/Easter.htm Polish Easter Customs]
* [http://www.polskiinternet.com/english/info/easter.html Polish Traditions and Customs: Easter]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Polish mythology — comprises certain beliefs and myths in Poland, including witchcraft and some paganistic elements.The Polish pantheon Major gods*Dadźbóg *Yarilo * Piorun *The Zorya *Marzanna *Swietowit *Swaróg *Triglav *Weles * ZariaOther gods*Białobóg *Czarnobóg …   Wikipedia

  • pisanka — ż III, CMs. pisankance 1. lm D. pisankanek «jajko malowane na Wielkanoc barwnikami naturalnymi, ozdobione ornamentem o motywach geometrycznych lub roślinnych» Pisanki kurpiowskie, łowickie, podlaskie. Malować pisanki. Pisanki wielkanocne. 2. blm… …   Słownik języka polskiego

  • kraszanka — ż III, CMs. kraszankance; lm D. kraszankanek reg. «pisanka pomalowana na jeden kolor» Robić, malować kraszanki …   Słownik języka polskiego

  • Pisanica (Croatian) — Traditional Easter eggs in Croatia …   Wikipedia

  • Święconka — (pronounced IPA| [ɕvʲɛnˈtsɔnka] ), meaning the blessing of the Easter baskets, is one of the most enduring and beloved Polish traditions on Holy Saturday. While originally observed by Polish Americans in the U.S., it has become increasingly… …   Wikipedia

  • Easter egg — Easter eggs are specially decorated eggs given to celebrate the Easter holiday or springtime. The oldest tradition is to use dyed or painted chicken eggs, but a modern custom is to substitute chocolate eggs, or plastic eggs filled with… …   Wikipedia

  • List of egg topics — Related searches   Search for: egg   Search for: eggs   Search for: caviar   Search …   Wikipedia

  • Easter Monday — Two boys enjoy treats during the annual Easter egg roll at the White House lawn on Easter Monday, 1911 …   Wikipedia

  • Egg decorating in Slavic culture — The tradition of egg decoration in Slavic cultures originated in pagan times, and was transformed by the process of religious syncretism into the Christian Easter egg. Nevertheless, these decorated eggs have retained much of their pagan symbolism …   Wikipedia

  • Egg decorating — Ukrainian Easter eggs This article is about egg decorating in general. For the Easter tradition of egg decorating, see Easter egg. Egg decorating is the art or craft of decorating eggs. It is quite a popular art/craft form because of the… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”