DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Kimberly Mueller

History of Lithuanian Art

Lithuanian Folk Art Essay

Marguiciai Traditions

A small white bunny hides eggs in the morning before children awaken, or, a doting grandmother delivers eggs to children for their enjoyment: which story sounds more reasonable? In the United States, children everywhere spend Easter morning searching for plastic eggs to open them and get their prize from inside that the Easter bunny has supposedly hidden; while in Lithuania, children scramble to discover eggs that have been preciously dyed and hidden by the Easter Granny. Comparatively, each culture has unique customs and traditions for this holiday, but Lithuania enjoys more plausible and historically-rich customs on Easter.

Egg dying is a tradition older than Christianity. Two decorated goose eggs were discovered in the grave of a young girl dating back to the 4th century in Worms, Germany. During the 12th century, churches were already blessing dyed eggs and using them in ceremonies. These customs spread all throughout Europe and eventually reached Lithuania and the other Baltic states. Digs from the base of Gediminas Hill have uncovered decorated eggs from the 13th century. Lithuania has created many traditions surrounding Easter and the use of dyed eggs or marguiciai.

The process of dying begins before actually placing an egg in dye. First, choosing the egg is important. Traditionally, the egg should be at least 2 weeks old. Medium sized eggs are best and should be white. Then, it is up to the person to choose

the color for the dye. Plants, herbs, or onion skins are all different sources to produce varying colors for the dye. Onion skins are the traditional option to create the brownish red color. The colored water should be warm but not boiling when the eggs are placed into it. The longer the eggs are submerged in the water results in darker, more richly dyed eggs. Once removed, the eggs can be rubbed with unsalted pork fat to give them a shiny appearance.

After they have their first layer of color, there are traditionally two ways to decorate the eggs. One method is to use a knife and scrape off the layer of dye to reveal the white egg surface underneath. The other method uses hot wax to create a design on the egg before it is dyed and then remove the wax after it had been submerged. The second method allows a person to do multiple layers of colors and wax removal to produce a more beautiful pattern.

Decades ago, young women would have wanted to create the most beautiful egg possible. This was because troupes of travelling men would visit each house and sing a song for the young maidens. The maidens in return would give them one of her eggs. After visiting all of the houses, the young men would then choose the most beautiful egg and crown the owner of it the “Queen of the Eggs.” To create the most beautiful egg, maidens would have decorated their eggs using geometric patterns. According to tradition, eggs are stylized with dots and dashes of waxes that can become simple geometric patterns. There are no strict guidelines to how an egg should be designed, but skilled artists can make intricate lattice work on the small surface area of the egg.

The pattern can develop into a detailed geometric shape, or be representational. In Lithuanian folk lore, these shapes/animals are important and can be duplicated on Easter eggs:

 

 

  • Suns
  • Crosses
  • Spirals
  • Teeth
  • Tree
  • Bird's foot
  • and Flora and Bird motifs

These symbols are recurrent in the religion/ideology of Lithuanian legends and symbolize many different things. By drawing them on the eggs, they brought additional significance to the egg. Not only have eggs been used to symbolize fertility and new birth, but in the country sides of Lithuania, they have also been associated with mystic powers. A decorated egg is believed to be able to protect their owner disaster and bring them good luck and fortune. Burying a decorated egg in a stable or orchard is also thought to assure a good year and plentiful harvest.

Traditionally, on Easter, the first meal eaten is an egg during breakfast. Before it has been cracked open, people can play a game to determine who will be the strongest in the coming year. Participants take turns hitting each other’s eggs until the last uncracked egg remains and is dubbed “the strongest.”

There are also more games for children that continue today in Lithuania. Rolling eggs is a simple game that requires a carved slide and decorated eggs. Each player rolls his/her egg down the slide and then waits for other players to take their turn. If your egg is tapped by another player’s egg, then it is taken. But if your egg taps someone else’s, then you claim their egg and can continue playing.

These small games, breakfast traditions, and ornate decorations make Lithuania’s holiday more meaningful and enriching. The U.S. entertains children with chocolate and rabbits, but nothing can compare to the century-old customs and knowledge that the people of Lithuania pass on from one generation to the next. The decorated Easter eggs remain as a symbol of Easter and fertility, but also of perseverance and durability of the country of Lithuania

Kimberly Mueller

History of Lithuanian Art

Lithuanian Folk Art Essay

Marguiciai Traditions

A small white bunny hides eggs in the morning before children awaken, or, a doting grandmother delivers eggs to children for their enjoyment: which story sounds more reasonable? In the United States, children everywhere spend Easter morning searching for plastic eggs to open them and get their prize from inside that the Easter bunny has supposedly hidden; while in Lithuania, children scramble to discover eggs that have been preciously dyed and hidden by the Easter Granny. Comparatively, each culture has unique customs and traditions for this holiday, but Lithuania enjoys more plausible and historically-rich customs on Easter.

Egg dying is a tradition older than Christianity. Two decorated goose eggs were discovered in the grave of a young girl dating back to the 4th century in Worms, Germany. During the 12th century, churches were already blessing dyed eggs and using them in ceremonies. These customs spread all throughout Europe and eventually reached Lithuania and the other Baltic states. Digs from the base of Gediminas Hill have uncovered decorated eggs from the 13th century. Lithuania has created many traditions surrounding Easter and the use of dyed eggs or marguiciai.

The process of dying begins before actually placing an egg in dye. First, choosing the egg is important. Traditionally, the egg should be at least 2 weeks old. Medium sized eggs are best and should be white. Then, it is up to the person to choose

the color for the dye. Plants, herbs, or onion skins are all different sources to produce varying colors for the dye. Onion skins are the traditional option to create the brownish red color. The colored water should be warm but not boiling when the eggs are placed into it. The longer the eggs are submerged in the water results in darker, more richly dyed eggs. Once removed, the eggs can be rubbed with unsalted pork fat to give them a shiny appearance.

After they have their first layer of color, there are traditionally two ways to decorate the eggs. One method is to use a knife and scrape off the layer of dye to reveal the white egg surface underneath. The other method uses hot wax to create a design on the egg before it is dyed and then remove the wax after it had been submerged. The second method allows a person to do multiple layers of colors and wax removal to produce a more beautiful pattern.

Decades ago, young women would have wanted to create the most beautiful egg possible. This was because troupes of travelling men would visit each house and sing a song for the young maidens. The maidens in return would give them one of her eggs. After visiting all of the houses, the young men would then choose the most beautiful egg and crown the owner of it the “Queen of the Eggs.” To create the most beautiful egg, maidens would have decorated their eggs using geometric patterns. According to tradition, eggs are stylized with dots and dashes of waxes that can become simple geometric patterns. There are no strict guidelines to how an egg should be designed, but skilled artists can make intricate lattice work on the small surface area of the egg.

The pattern can develop into a detailed geometric shape, or be representational. In Lithuanian folk lore, these shapes/animals are important and can be duplicated on Easter eggs:

 

 

  • Suns
  • Crosses
  • Spirals
  • Teeth
  • Tree
  • Bird's foot
  • and Flora and Bird motifs

These symbols are recurrent in the religion/ideology of Lithuanian legends and symbolize many different things. By drawing them on the eggs, they brought additional significance to the egg. Not only have eggs been used to symbolize fertility and new birth, but in the country sides of Lithuania, they have also been associated with mystic powers. A decorated egg is believed to be able to protect their owner disaster and bring them good luck and fortune. Burying a decorated egg in a stable or orchard is also thought to assure a good year and plentiful harvest.

Traditionally, on Easter, the first meal eaten is an egg during breakfast. Before it has been cracked open, people can play a game to determine who will be the strongest in the coming year. Participants take turns hitting each other’s eggs until the last uncracked egg remains and is dubbed “the strongest.”

There are also more games for children that continue today in Lithuania. Rolling eggs is a simple game that requires a carved slide and decorated eggs. Each player rolls his/her egg down the slide and then waits for other players to take their turn. If your egg is tapped by another player’s egg, then it is taken. But if your egg taps someone else’s, then you claim their egg and can continue playing.

These small games, breakfast traditions, and ornate decorations make Lithuania’s holiday more meaningful and enriching. The U.S. entertains children with chocolate and rabbits, but nothing can compare to the century-old customs and knowledge that the people of Lithuania pass on from one generation to the next. The decorated Easter eggs remain as a symbol of Easter and fertility, but also of perseverance and durability of the country of Lithuania

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.