William Penn Life, 1987 (22. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1987-02-01 / 2. szám
Page 4, William Penn Life, February 1987 Egg decorating reflects ancient traditions By Emese Kerkay The cult of the decorated egg is the most ancient religious custom of humanity. It goes back many thousands of years before Christianity. To the ancient people, the egg was the symbol of creation, the secret of eternal life condensed in a small closed but perfect geometric form. Its shape imitates the heavan above us, which signifies the residence of God. And inside of the protecting white eggwhite is the mysterious gold eggyolk which contains the "Secret of Secrets”, the sprout. Doesn’t the gold inside the egg represent a drop of the creative power of the sun, which stands above all? This was the religion of ancient people. This is why the symbolism of the egg is very significant in the story of creation of almost all people. The color most frequently used in decorating eggs is red. The red egg is the symbol of renewal, love, spring and new life. The red color has, therefore, magic powers. It is not by chance that the magical red is also the color of blood, which is the "residence of life” according to the belief of ancient people. The red egg means eternal life. Knowing this, it is easy to understand why the Asian horsemen cultures — the ancestors of the Hungarians included — very often put a decorated red egg in the hand of the deceased. Around the turn of the century the 1,300-year-old grave of a Hungarian woman was excavated. In her hand was found an egg which was decorated with the scratch technique. This is the oldest way of decorating eggs. The Hungarians have used this method very often ever since. Up to this day we still use designs that are thousands of years old. Besides the ancient mythical and religious symbols, we also have newer but equally typical Hungarian designs. These are very individual and vary from region to region. After Hungary converted to Christianity, we slowly changed a few customs pertaining to the egg. Christianity took over many ancient folk customs. This is the way the decorated egg became the Easter Egg. However, the most important custom is also a very old one. On Easter Monday the boys and young men, carrying pails of water, go to the homes of the girls and sprinkle the girls, or take them to the well for the same reason. They do this so the girls will bloom like flowers and will not fade. As a thank you, the girls give the boys a red egg (which to Hungarians means a decorated egg) and wine. This "Easter Monday” or "Water Plunge Monday” tradition dates back before the time of Christianity. Waters mean life and sprinkling with water means fertility. Giving an egg in return also symbolizes fertility, rebirth and everything else the Spring season symbolizes. Emese Kerkay is a highly skilled egg decorator who has taught the art of egg decorating for a number of years. Some of Mrs. Kerkay’s work will be on display during the Eggshibit on April 4-5 in Philadelphia, Pa. Workshops-Springdale, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2:00 p.m. Springdale United Church of Christ 415 Butler Street Marie Charles (412) 274-8371 Along with these workshops, two others will be held. They are: Seward, Neb. (date to be announced) Concordia Teacher’s College David Hall 520 Locust Elizabeth Szabó Vos (402) 643- 4902 Garfield/Passaic, N.J. (date and place to be announced) Elizabeth Szabó (412)231-2979-------------------------From Page 1 An egg decorating instruction book and special decorating kits have been designed for use at the workshops and for those members who may not be able to attend one of the workshops. The kits are available for $8.00 each, and the instruction books can be purchased for $ 1.00 each. Anyone interested in attending any of the listed workshops should reach the contact person as soon as possible. Those interested in receiving either the instruction book or decorating kit can fill out the coupon in this issue and send to the Association’s Home Office William Penn Association Egg Decorating Workshops I would like to attend an egg decorating workshop. I want to buy an egg decorating kit ($8.00 each). I want to buy a decorating instruction book ($1.00). Name: Street: City: State: Zip: Phone: ( ) William Penn Member: Yes: No: Under age 18: Over age 18: Checks for kits and book payable to William Penn Association. Send to: Elizabeth Szabó, William Penn Association 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15233 ATTENTION EGG DECORATORS In connection with our egg decorating classes, we are searching for persons who can act as instructors and aides for our workshops in various parts of the country. Please write to us if you feel you qualify. Tell us about your work, the techniques you employ and, if possible, send a photograph of an egg that you decorated. Send all information to the attention of Egg Workshop. KIPS! HELP ME MAKE T HIS EASTER COLORFUL! Send me your name and I’ll send you a FREE William Penn Easter Egg Coloring Book You’ll have fun coloring the large eggs, each one a traditional design from six European countries. Just have your Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa fill out the coupon below, and have them send itto me atthe William Penn. SEE YOU ON EASTER! WILLIAM PENN EASTER EGG COLORING BOOK Name:______________________________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________________________________ Name:______________________________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________________________________ (Additional names and addresses can be written on a separate sheet of paper.) ■ Please indicate which of the children listed above are William Penn members. ■ Please indicate which of these children received our Safety Flashlight at Halloween. MAIL TO: COLORING BOOK, William Penn Association 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15233.
