Easter eggs haute couture

Giving out Easter eggs for Easter is an ancient custom.

In Russia, people first started decorating Easter eggs in the beginning of past century. Today, designers are searching for a worthy alternative to the traditional Khokhloma patterns and enameled miniatures. The following Easter eggs are in style this season: “Dinosaur Easter egg”, “stripped eggs”, “Easter eggs decorated with mysterious Christian symbols” as well as “Faberge-like Easter eggs.”

According to the Russian Orthodox Church, any Easter egg design is accepted to follow the sacred Easter ritual. You can use chocolate, wooden, ceramic eggs; you can decorate them any way you like.

Dinosaur Easter egg

In order to create such egg you should first apply pieces of cheese cloth on a dry egg, while securing both ends with a rubber band. Then, place the egg into a jar with any paint. It would be better if you use natural pastel colors instead of bright ones. White traces of the cheese cloth will give your egg rather unusual decorations.

Marble Easter eggs

The actual technique of “marblization” is extremely simply. The effect however appears to be quite impressive. Add a little bit of oil (1 table spoon) max) in a jar with diluted artificial coloring. Dip an egg in the solution. Make sure the egg is completely submerged in water. A few seconds later, when you will notice the marble effect, thoroughly wipe off the excess oil off the egg shell.

Wax lining

Prepare a jar with melted wax. Dip one side of the egg in the wax, then another side. Then take a thread and apply some sort of a decoration on the shell, while pressing the thread into the wax while it is still soft. Let the egg sit for a while. Then dip in a jar with colored water. Only those traces of the thread, the ones that are wax-free will be colored.

Striped Easter eggs

As an alternative to previous example, try using thin rubber bands. Simply apply several rubber bands on the egg; try forming different patterns. Then dip the egg in a jar with colored water. A few seconds later, take its out, wait until it dries and remove rubber bands.

Easter eggs with mysterious Christian symbols

You will have to paint the actual symbols by hand. It is better if you use nail polish instead of water colors, since it dries much quicker and does not leak. The paint should be applied using strokes or simply dots. Before applying any picture, you should first boil the egg together with the onion peel. This will give the egg its nice red color.

Recommended symbols:
       
 Fish: This is a secret symbol of Christ. The word “fish” in Greek is “thbi”. It consists of the letters that make up the phrase “Jesus Christ Son of God.”

Sheep: is another symbol of Jesus Christ. Prophets used to call their expected Messiah 'Agnts.

Dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit. For many Christians any depiction of a dove meant a new beginning, a new life after being baptized.

Peacock: early Christians adopted this symbol from Romans, who believed that the peacock's body is imperishable. It was also considered that heaven birds also resemble peacocks.

Phoenix: For Christians, this symbol draws direct correlation with Jesus’ resurrection.

Grapes: depictions of grapes and grape vines can often be seen in the catacombs of early Christians along with depictions of wheat and bread. Wine symbolizes blood and bread symbolizes the body of Christ.

Lily: early Christians attributed this symbol to martyrs, who did not betray Jesus and followed him all the way despite ruthless persecution. According to one of the legends, a white lily turned red in one night right before Jesus was crucified.

Happy Easter!

Svetlana Lizhina