04/05/2026
The colourful tradition of painting eggs at Easter has roots that go back thousands of years. Ancient Romans, Egyptians, and Sumerians used decorated eggs in graves or as fertility symbols for harvests. Persians decorated eggs for Nowruz (the spring equinox).
In 1290, Edward I of England ordered 450 eggs to be decorated for Easter. The eggs were boiled and painted or covered in gold leaf, and they were distributed as gifts to members of the royal household and entourage. These decorated eggs were known as “pace-eggs” or “paste-eggs,” a term derived from the Middle English word pasche, meaning Easter.
In parts of Eastern Europe, beautifully decorated eggs—like the intricate pysanky from Ukraine—were created using wax and dye techniques and given as gifts for protection, prosperity, and good fortune.
Today, painting eggs has become a fun Easter activity for families, blending centuries of history with creativity and celebration.
