Studioclassroom_20090410

An Easter "Eggstravaganza"


Ukrainian eggs
The majority of people use simple dyes and simple methods to color Easter eggs, but in some areas, it is an elaborate art form. In Ukraine, people use a method similar to batik to make exquisite eggs or pysanka. They draw intricate patterns on the egg in wax. The wax protects the designed area from whatever dye is used. By repeating the process of waxing and dyeing, waxing and dyeing, fabulous designs emerge, often rich in Christian symbolism.


The tradition of egg dyeing started many years before Christianity arrived in Ukraine, but the old symbols took on new meanings as Christianity spread through the area. The triangle symbolized the elements fire, earth, and air but now symbolizes the Christian trinity. The fish, originally symbolic of plenty, came to mean Christ, the fisher of men. The eggs had more than just decorative uses as well.
Years ago, it was tradition for a young woman to drop a pysanka with her name on it into a stream hoping her future husband would find it. If a young man found it, he would go to the girl's house, and a match was often made.



intricate adj. 複雜的
eg: Look at all the tiny lines and circles in this intricate design.
eg: The book is a study on the intricate metabolic system (新陳代謝系統) of human bodies.
eg: The palace is famous for its intricate maze in the courtyard(花園).

fabulous adj. (口語)極好的
eg: Jennifer looked fabulous in her exquiste evening dress.

Ukrainian n. 烏克蘭人/烏克蘭語
Ukrainian adj. 烏克蘭的


batik n. 蠟染色法
exquisite adj. 精緻的

symbolize v.
symbolic adj. 象徵性的
eg: In the West, the owl is symbolic of wisdom.
eg: A dove(白鴿) is symbolic of peace.
eg: The cross is symbolic of Christian belief.
eg: The symbolic poem is the topic of our report.

decorative adj. 裝飾性的
decorate v.
eg: You can't eat that fruit on the table; it's only decorative.
eg: The decorative mirror they put at the entrance is Baroque(巴洛克) style.
eg: The decorative accessories(婦女飾品) of the gown(禮服) are totally hand-made.

//== Chat room ==//

waxing and dyeing, waxing and dyeing -> mentioned twice
-> writer talks about repeating a process give you a sense of repetition
waxing and dyeing出現兩次，是因為作者要強調不段重複的動作


wax (古英文) = become
wax sentimental
wax poetic
wax nostalgic 鄉愁的

eg: He waxed sentimental when he heard the song.
eg: He waxed poetic. 他突然詩性大發