Pysanky — decorated Easter eggs — are a spring ritual folk art made by Ukrainians all over the world since pre-Christian times. They are believed to have enormous power, bring good luck, health, and wealth to those who possess them, as well as protect against evil and disease. Symbolic designs are written on eggs in hot wax with a special stylus called a kistka — a wooden stick with a small metal funnel at one end. The egg is then dyed multiple colours, progressing from lightest to darkest, adding more details to the egg. At each stage, the areas covered with wax resist the proceeding dye colours. After the egg has been dipped in the darkest colour, comes the most magical part – heating the egg to melt away all the wax, and reveal the beautiful colours and designs underneath.
