The regions of Domaniža, Podzoborie, Poiplie, and Torysky have a diverse ethnic and religious composition, which is reflected in their unique patterns and names for decorated eggs. In the Domaniža area, eggs are multicoloured and decorated using aniline paints. Ornamental elements, motifs, and compositions combine geometric patterns with plant designs, cosmogonic symbols, agricultural tools, and other motifs, such as čečinka (fir needles), veľká koscelačka, hrable (rakes), etc. In Podzoborie and Poiplie, the same wax-resist technique is used to write on eggs. Still, the eggs are dyed with natural dyes in one or two shades obtained from decoctions of onion peels, elderberries, and other natural sources. The motifs in Poiplie include a crayfish tail and a godly ladder, while in Podzoborie, common motifs are rosemary and a spade. In Toryska, the motifs are inspired by embroidery patterns found on strips of women’s aprons, featuring designs such as twigs, spirals, and flowers. These eggs are dyed in a single colour, achieved by leaching crepe paper.
The pattern is “written” onto the shell of a hollowed-out hen egg using heated beeswax or paraffin. The wax is applied with a scribe tool – pisárka —a small copper plate twisted into a tube and perpendicularly fixed into the cleft of a wooden handle. After the wax is applied, the egg is dipped in dye. The wax-covered areas retain their original colour, while the exposed parts absorb the dye. When the dipping process is repeated multiple times, progressing from lighter to darker shades, it creates a unique multicoloured batik effect on the Easter egg. Finally, the wax is removed by gently heating the egg and wiping it off with a cloth.
Currently, four Easter egg artists are actively preserving this tradition: Silvia Molnár Belány from the Podzoborie region, Anna Sakmárová from Torysky, Tünde Benko from the Poiplie region, and Soňa Belokostolská, who specialises in the Domaniža patterns. They continue to pass on their decoration techniques to younger generations and teachers, share information through media and social networks, and organise lectures and exhibitions showcasing their work. The youngest generation is introduced to the traditional Easter eggs of their region through colouring books, matching card games, quartet card games, and children’s workshops.
