Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index The pysanky (pisanki) are Polish decorated eggs. They themselves symbolize Spring, birth, rebirth and fertility. They represent the origin of life, the Universe, and the equality of polar powers. Traditionally, pysanky eggs were decorated by women and girls; who are taught the age-old rituals passed down from the Babci or Grandmother. The traditional working is done after dark in a quiet place. This ensures that concentration, meditation, and ritual consciousness can be performed with continuance. The artist should make an effort to be calm and anger free during the previous day. A white tablecloth covers the workspace, and your candle is set in the middle of the table. Bread and salt are placed behind the candle, flowers and incense to the right and a cup of water to the left. The water in which boiled-style eggs were prepared is meaningful, used to wash in, bless with and used to anoint beehives to bring plenty of sweet tasting honey. It was also poured along property lines to protect against the ravages of weather, also against thunder and lightening. It is traditional that the most magical, ancient pysanky had four or five colors used with them. See also Polish mythology This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.