Polish Easter Traditions

Kindergarten No5 in GlogowChildren 3 – 6 years old

Pisanki "Written" Eggs /view

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o The name Pisanki comes form the Polish verb pisać, "to write." The eggs are decorated with many traditional Polish symbols of Easter. Most popular are: the Lamb with Resurrection Banner (Baranek, symbolizing the Lamb of God from the Agnus Dei of the Catholic Mass), pussy willow (often used instead of palms in Poland), Cross (symbol of the Crucified Christ), or Easter greetings, such as Wesolego Alleluja or Alleluja. Different regions of Poland have also developed particular geometric and floral designs specific to those communities. Natural dyes, such as onion skins or beets, are often used to color eggs referred to as Kraszanki.

According to Polish folk craft expert, Rev. Krysa, the Polish Easter eggs fall into the following categories:

Pisanki -- "written" eggs; dyed with batik process

Kraszanki -- solid color eggs dyed with plant materials

Malowanki -- hand painted eggs

Drapanki -- solid color eggs with design scratched in surface

Wyklejanki -- eggs decorated with bull-rush pith & yarn

Nalepianki -- eggs with paper cut-outs or straw glued to them

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