Ukrainian Easter eggs

The Ukrainian tradition of pysanky -- decorated, hollowed-out eggs bearing colorful folk designs -- is a tedious process taking hours, sometimes even days.

Pysanky

Left: Designs by Sofika Zielyk.

Despite appearances, these patterns are not painted, but drawn using beeswax and colorful dyes.

Pysanky Design

It might not be as hard as walking on eggshells, but drawing on egg shells is no easy task.

Pysanky

The wax shields covered areas from multiple dye baths.

To Dye For

Dying the eggs.

Wax

The wax is then melted away, revealing the details beneath.

Pysanky

Easter egg created by artist Sofika Zielyk.

Pysanky

Dating back to pagan times, and eventually incorporated into Christian tradition, pysanky is still alive and well in Ukraine -- and in Ukrainian communities across the United States.