Have you ever wondered why Easter eggs are painted on Easter, and why should they necessarily be on the Easter table? It turns out that the tradition of painting eggs for Easter has its own legend, according to which during the Roman Empire, people could visit the emperor with a petition, only bringing him something as a gift. The rich brought as a gift to the ruler gold, and those who did not have gold, brought what was in the household. And when Mary Magdalene decided to bring to the Emperor Tiberius the news of the resurrection of Christ, it turned out that she had nothing but a white chicken egg. Presenting her gift, she said "Christ is risen!", But the emperor laughed and replied that he would believe this news only if this white egg changes color to red. Naturally, at the same time a miracle happened, and the egg became bright red. Then the emperor, astonished incredibly, uttered "Truly risen!". Hence the custom of painting eggs and greeting Easter with these phrases. And that is why in the old days the eggs were painted in red, as indicated in the legend. Now, when it became clear why Easter eggs are painted on Easter, and why most often in red, it was time to figure out how to properly paint eggs.
How to paint eggs?
Why often paint eggs for Easter in red, we have already figured out - this is done according to tradition, and not because the range of natural dyes is limited. In fact, multi-colored Easter eggs can be obtained without artificial dyes, although with their help this is undoubtedly easier.
So, how and how to paint eggs for Easter, if you did not have food colors? Yes, just like they were painted in the old days! So, first decide on the desired color, and then start to prepare the coloring broth. To color turned out to be a more saturated broth, you first need to let it brew for about half an hour, and then boil eggs in it.
To color eggs in red, use beetroot, to obtain a brown shade, onion peel, for light yellow - carrots or oranges, but more rich yellow color to the eggs will give birch leaves or walnut shells. Also for Easter eggs can be painted blue with the help of red cabbage leaves, for beige same color it is necessary to use coffee. Boil eggs for coloring in such broths need 15-30 minutes.
With food coloring, things are simpler. It is necessary to put the hard-boiled eggs into the dye solution for 10-15 minutes. After the egg is removed and dried, on a napkin, without wiping. But it is worth remembering that for this coloring eggs are not recommended from the damaged, cracked during the cooking of the shell - getting the dye (whatever it is food) is not desirable inside the egg.
After painting and drying, the Easter eggs are advised to be rubbed with vegetable oil for shine.
How to get patterns when staining Easter eggs?
Not everyone wants to limit themselves to monochromatic colors in the color of eggs and try to paint them with any patterns. True, not everyone knows how to do it. The most puzzling is to paint eggs with gouache or watercolors. But this work is long, laborious and ungrateful - when cleaning all the paint will remain on hand.