Kraslice - Czech Easter Eggs

Kraslice is a hand-painted egg made for the Easter Sunday tradition. Girls would boil, decorate, and deliver eggs to boys on Easter. These eggs were often coated in intricate geometric designs, floral motifs, or snowflake patterns and presented bold colors. Some eggs that had more intricate artwork had the yolk blown out to better preserve the egg as they were used in rituals, as decorations, or sold in markets. There were many methods used in decoration: beeswax, onion peels, straw, watercolor, and flower petals. 

The most popular color would be red, which was obtained from onion skins. Eggs were often boiled with botanicals to not only cook the egg but also achieve color. Other colors included: 

• Dark red or brown onion skins

• Black: oak or alder bark or walnut shells

• Gold: apple tree bark or marigold flowers

• Violet: mallow flower petals

• Green: rye shoots or periwinkle leaves

• Pink: beat juice

Some eggs were also layered in beeswax. This process stopped color from reaching the surface of the egg, which allowed for overlaying different patterns or colors. The wax would be peeled off to reveal the intricate pattern afterward. Wax-type eggs were often believed to have magic protection and were often used for ritualistic purposes as they symbolized spring, protection, and fertility.

The tradition of making Kraslice has been around for an incredibly long time, passed down through generations of women for the holiday of Velikonoce which signifies the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It’s believed that this holiday brings forth rebirth for the entire year. Although Easter is not as religiously celebrated in the Czech Republic due to past suppression under the communist regime, there are many traditions and rituals throughout the country, varying by region, but one is the same throughout: the making and beautifying of Kraslice.

The origin of the Velikonoce dates to pagan times. Its original purpose and symbolic meaning are to chase away illness and bad spirits and to bring health and youth for the rest of the year to everyone who is whipped with the young pussywillow twigs. Boys would whip girls lightly on the legs and an Easter carol, usually asking for an egg or two, would be recited by the boy while whipping. The girl would then give the boy with a painted egg and tie a ribbon around his pomlázka (whip). As the boys progressed through the village, their bags filled up with eggs and their pomlázkas were adorned with more and more colorful ribbons, bringing out the power of the egg with colorful decorations.

Along with the typical floral and intricate lacelike patterns on eggs, some decorators choose to represent their beliefs as well. A popular design to put on the Kraslice is a star. In Czech culture, when a person is born, it is thought that a star is born alongside them and when that person dies, the star dies as well and becomes a shooting star in the night sky. The tradition is rooted in ancient pagan symbols and can be traced back to the 11th century. Historians at the City of Prague Museum say that eggs were originally painted red to symbolize life, love, new blood, and the renewal of energy. Each region of the Czech Republic has its own symbols and markings dedicated to their beliefs, such as stars, flowers, nature symbols and more.

The art of painting these eggs is an incredibly tedious project and one that can take many hours to perfect. However, once completed you are left with a beautiful decorated kraslice to showcase your hardwork.

Catherine. “KRASLICE: CZECH EASTER EGGS.” Inspire Bohemia, http://www.inspirebohemia.com/2012/04/kraslice-czech-easter-eggs.html.

Glassner, Lenka. “Czech Egg Decorating – Kraslice.” Czeching In Again, https://czechinginagain.blogspot.com/p/czech-egg-decorating-kraslice.html.

Shanberg, Dana. “Czech Easter (Velikonoce).” My Czech Republic, https://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/czech_holidays/easter/.

Schrier, Jeff. “So you think you know how to decorate Easter eggs? Czech out Kraslice.” Michigan Live, March 29, 2017, https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/2017/03/how_to_make_beautiful_kraslice.html.

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TITLE

Kraslice

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Eggs decorated in bold colors and intricate patterns or designs

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Czech Center Museum 4920 San Jacinto St. Houston, TX 77004
Third Floor

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