The word comes from the root word pysaty, meaning to write, because of the drawing or "writing" on the eggs.

Pysanky are traditionally made for Easter, but are sold year-round to collectors, and some are now made as Christmas ornaments.

This art reaches back over three thousand years in Ukrainian tradition, and employs a batik-like technique.

The egg designs hearken to aeons of symbolism that touch our collective unconscious in a way that other, more modern art forms do not. Because of this, Pysanky are deeply admired and collected over the world.

The art of Pysanky uses Sacred Geometry, and the practice of making them entails a whole philosophy of life. Every line projects around the egg, and every line is in relation to another line. This is much like the way a person should understand how their actions are projected in our universe.

If you would like to learn more about Psyanky, Click Here to download Deirdre's Digital Book on Psyanky.

Eggs marked "Sold": Can be special ordered. Prices, shipping and handling are still the same. Just click once on the Add to Cart button above the egg of your choice and follow the on-screen prompts to make your purchase.

Eggs marked "Replaced": Be Forewarned Regarding Replacement Eggs - You will never see a particular design on a replacement egg that is exactly like the first.  Even if the pysanky writer has done an egg one hundred or more times, there are always slight variations.  All replacements are going to vary just a little from the photographs, because I never do anything exactly the way it was done before.  I'm never exactly the way I am today as I was yesterday, or will be tomorrow.  Plus, I have no control over these chickens that are laying these eggs.  The shape and size of the egg can be different, textural changes on the shells are inconsistent, and some shells just take dyes better than others.  Not having to do new photographs of the replacements allows me to keep dyeing eggs, and not be interrupted by camera work, which is not my favorite thing.

Lead time for off-season ordering, (between May - December), is two weeks and one week between January - April.

Related Links and Recommended Reading

Many Designs & other Pysanky sites:

• All Things Ukrainian
• BRAMA Traditional Arts - Pysanky
• Jane Pollack
• Pysanky Showcase (Patty Wiszuk-de Angelo)
• Ukrainian Eggs by Ginny
• http://www.graphicoriginals.com/ (My good friend and "soul sister" Barbara Novak)

Online Tutorials (How to Make Pysanky):

• Ann Morash
• Adriana
• How to make Ukrainian Easter Eggs
• Olga's eggs-files

Pysanky Supplies Online:

• Ukrainian Egg-Cessories - Pysanky dyes, electric and candle heated kistky and ideas for pysanky designs
• The Ukrainian Gift Shop, Inc. (Minnesota) All Pysanky supplies, including the largest selection of egg stands and tutorials.
• Yeshan Catalog
• Egg stands: http://www.trimsii.com/
• Baba's Beeswax - Everything you need to make beautiful Pysanky the traditional way: Supplies, kits, workshops, books, teaching aids, non-yellowing varnish, EGGS-aminer newsletter and more. USA, Canada and worldwide. No GST. Major credit cards accepted.

Amazing Egg Art:

• Eggscape Virtual Gallery
• Eleggance (includes Pysanky)

Interested in carving eggs?

• SCM Systems, Inc.
• Eggart

Eggs from other Cultures:

• Lithuanian Eggs (beautiful "Drop-Pull" designs)
• Slovakian Eggs (includes wire-woven, applied straw, and raised wax/pierced designs)