The egg - a symbol of fertility and new life in Bulgarian folklore

published on 5/2/24 4:35 AM

Photo: BGNES

Holy Thursday is one of the two days in the Holy Week when we dye eggs for Easter. Tradition dictates that the oldest woman in the family takes on this important task, and the first egg is always dyed red.

The Red Egg – symbol of the Resurrection

According to the Orthodox Church, the red colour is a symbol of Christ's blood and the torment He experienced on the Holy Cross. From a folklore point of view, the egg is chosen as the main character around which the celebration is formed, as it is associated with the sun, life and fertility. The breaking of its shell is seen as a release from the shackles of mortality.

There is also a curious tradition involving children and young people in the home. To protect them from evil eyes and misfortunes, their cheeks are rubbed with the still warm first red egg. It is then kept in front of the house icon until it is replaced with a new one the following year.

The Bulgarian woman puts all her skill, aesthetic sense and tradition into decorating the Easter eggs. The largest collection of decorated eggs is kept in the Historical Museum of Velingrad. Local artist Maria Malcheva has tracked down and rescued from oblivion models from more than seven decades ago.

Maria Malcheva and the cornucopia of painted Easter eggs from Velingrad

With each passing year, new techniques for decorating Easter eggs are invented. Thus, to the traditional methods of dyeing them with natural or chemical-based dyes, decorating them with a wax pen, etc. some unconventional techniques are added, which we tell about in the next publication from Radio Bulgaria's Best Collection:

Unconventional Easter eggs decorated by adepts in the craft

We hope we have inspired you to create beautiful painted eggs to fill your holiday with faith, joy and beauty!

Photos: BGNES, Velingrad History Museum

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The egg - a symbol of fertility and new life in Bulgarian folklore

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