DECORATING TRADITIONS AND METHODS

DECORATED EGGS

By the 13th century the egg decoration is already known in Lithuania: archeaological digs at the base of Gediminas Hill in Vilnius uncovered decorated artificial eggs made of stone, clay, and bone. In 1549, Martynas Mažvydas, the author of the first Lithuanian book - a catechism, mentions the tradition of giving decorated eggs as gifts, and it is believed that by this time the tradition of decorating eggs during Lent was wide-spread in all parts of Lithuania.

MYSTICAL POWERS OF DECORATED EGGS

People in the countryside, even in recent times, believed that decorations on the egg added mystical powers for it. A decorated egg gave its owner protection from life's disasters and brought luck and fortune. The head of the family would bury a decorated egg at the threshold of the front door of his home as a way of protecting his family and home. Decorated eggs were also buried in the stable to protect the animals, in the fields to assure a plentiful harvest, and in the orchard to make the trees fruitful. It is no wonder that decorated eggs were welcome gifts.

SCRATCH-CARVE METHOD FOR DECORATING EGGS

In Lithuania, two methods for decorating eggs were commonly used. One was based on producing designs on painted eggs by scratching or carving the surface of the shell. This is a very simple method, requiring very simple tools - any sharp pointy tool can be employed. Short, straight, and white scratch lines are the basic elements of design for this method.

WAX-RESIST METHOD FOR DECORATING EGGS

Creating patterns with wax is the second method commonly used by Lithuanians for decorating eggs. Hot wax is applied with a pin, a small nail, a fishbone or a wooden splinter. The basic elements for creating decorative patterns with this method are dots and "tailed" dots. A dot is produced by dipping the tip of your tool into hot wax and setting it momentarily on the egg's surface. A "tailed" dot results when the tool is moved on the egg's surface.

After patterning the egg with wax, the egg is dyed in a solution that is cooler than the melting temperature of the wax. After dyeing, the wax is removed by heating the egg in an oven, rolling it on a hot towel, or any number of other ways. The removed wax reveals a white pattern. Multi-colored patterns can be obtained by repeated cycles of wax application and painting.

The Rooster (gaidys) The bird was associated with continuous movement and meant the connection between heaven and Earth. Some of them are considered to be symbols of fertility and fertility (Swan, Rooster), others-dead souls Office (Cuckoo, Dove, Nightingale, and Falcon). The Rooster was associated with fire, because fire brought the kite which was called the red rooster.

MOST TYPICAL SYMBOLS OF EGG DECORATIONS

THE GRASS-SNAKE OR SERPENT (ŽALTYS)

Serpent –home, the fireplace, the deceased ancestors, well-being, health and fertility creature. He was considered as good home guardian spirit. It is assigned to the supernatural creatures. Human compliments were sort of the sparkling appearance, a look of fear and the fact that it sloughs from its skin.

THE AXE (KIRVIS)

Folk superstitions give an axe the important role. Even in the 19th century the Lithuanians deceased an axe to the graves to defend itself against the forces of evil, and more generally, it was believed that the axe is the best weapon against the devil.

THE MOON (MĖNULIS)

The Moon is called the young man, the master, carrier of happiness. Young Moon-is depicted as the edge of the pelvis, bread slice. The Moon was a spot-light helping people ward off various risks. Stars guarded the Moon from Devils and Witches.

THE TREE OF THE WORLD (PASAULIO MEDIS)

The world tree, or tree of life appeared in the Late Neolithic and the brass period. The tree grew in the center of the universe. His three parts symbolized the perceived universe zones: the roots-Dungeon, strain — the Earth, branches, the top - the sky. It is associated with the time: the past, present and future. Usually it isn’t depicted all but only part of it, symbolically expressed in its properties.