The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

EASTERTIDE

PISANKI ARE COLORFUL EASTER EGGS WITH DESIGNS ON THEM. HANDMADE
TOOLS ARE USED TO WRITE ON THE EGGS WITH BEESWAX. THEY ARE THEN
DIPPED INTO COLORING SEVERAL TIMES AS DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE
BEESWAX DESIGN ARE REMOVED. IN EARLY POLISH HISTORY, THE SLAVICS
HAD SPECIAL MEANINGS ATTACHED TO DIFFERENT DESIGNS. A FISH IS A
SYMBOL OF CHRISTIANITY; A BIRD MEANS HAPPINESS; REINDEER, GREAT
WEALTH; ROOSTER, FERTILITY; BUTTERFLY, NATURE AND THE RESURRECTION;
PINE TREE, ETERNAL YOUTH AND HEALTH; FLOWERS, LOVE AND CHASTITY.
THE FIRST PISANKI WERE FOUND NEAR OPOLE IN OSTROZKA AND DATE FROM
THE 10TH CENTURY. THE EGG ITSELF IS CONSIDERED A SYMBOL OF LIFE,
REBIRTH, OR AWAKENING OF SPRING FROM A WINTER'S SLEEP.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A POPULAR CUSTOM IN POLAND AND IN POLISH COMMUNITIES IN
THE U.S.A.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 04-15-1979