Hungarians like to decorate things and they are quite good at it. In fact, certain areas of Hungary are particularly well known for their decorative arts. If you love folklore art and paintings, then you will love the many distinct Hungarian styles that are displayed here.
From what is probably the most famous, Kalocsa folk art, to other regions like the Matyó, the folkstyle decorative art is alive and thriving.
“Flowers and leaves, sometimes a bird or a spiral ornament, are the principal decorative themes. The most frequent ornament is a flower with a centerpiece resembling the eye of a peacock’s feather.” – Folk-Art-Hungary.com
You can see the identifying characteristics from patterns in the ancient forms, such as the Szekely gates (kapu), to the inclusions of the flowers and swirls in the modern illustrations of Willy Pogány, who brought his Hungarian inflected design to the covers of magazines and the pages of books in the early 20th century.
Interiors with Flowered Motifs
Kalocsa wall painting inside home
>Try Your Own Hand At Hungarian Painting
Find tutorial design guides and get your paints and brushes out.
Elements Of Magyar Style:
Color and intricate designs that recall nature in a stylized way.
Strongly cover the entire surface.
Use highly saturated pigments which create bright colors in primary and secondary hues.
Be colorful and creative like the Hungarians!
Use Folk Art Designs To Decorate Items Artistically
The photos and how-to videos on this page can be your inspiration.
Wall Painting, Pingálás, in Kalocsa Style
Can you name the flowers? Roses, dahlias, bellflowers are some of those included in this floral design.
Szekely Kapu, Highly Decorated Gates of Old Hungary
Szekely kapu renovated with bright painted colors.
History of the Szekely Kapu – Decorated Ancestral Gates of Hungary
This entry is from the Hungarian Club site.
Origins of the ancestral carved gates of Transylvania span thousands of years before [Christ] and transcend beyond the boundaries of the Carpathian Mountains to Mesopotamia and the Far East. Similar to the ancient “Silk Route” that connected Central Europe to the Far East…
This ancient art with a system of mythical symbols and richness of form is still practiced and still inspires Hungarian Szeklers of Transylvania in creating their home environment and preserving their traditions to this day. The “Székelykapu” had symbolic meaning which separated East from West artistically as well as geographically and politically
…Runic inscriptions on front of the gate “The Lord has brought thee here” while on the other side departing guests can read “The Lord be with thee”.
[Ancient decorations from Ur had similar designs to]…motifs of Hungarian but especially Transylvanian Folk Art such as the upward scrolling or spiraling lines, tree of life, sun as central motif, runic symbols, five and eight petal rose, pomegranate and cornflower.
…In the top center under the roof and pigeon loft, the traditional sign of the sun, symbol of Úr is carved and under it the ancient greeting ISTEN HOZOTT.
…the main post which separated the large wagon gate from the small walk-in gate, displayed the family history in runic writing (rovàs iràs). Each generation added its share of history and when all sides were filled, a new supporting post was hewn from oak and placed on either side of the walk-in gate.
As runic writing became obsolete, the custom of carving family history into the gateposts also faded away. Besides the inherited symbols and decorations, only the greeting, name of the homestead builder and date of completion was carved into the gate and remains as tradition in our time.”
Since these gates were a part of the estates with a wealthy class of family , they were fallen into disuse during the Communist times. Many remaining gates no longer had the painted colors that are shown in this photo.
“the Székely gates are a beautiful example of folk architecture. In 1920, after the Treaty of Trianon ceded Transylvania to Romania, many Hungarians left the region as refugees. For many, the destination of choice was Debrecen: a market town near to the new border. In addition, several faculties of the university in Kolozsvár, now Cluj-Napoca, were transferred into the university at Debrecen. As refugees, they brought only their most important possessions – often-times including their gates. Hence, Debrecen has quite a few of these old gates built into 1920s-era homes.- An American in Debrecen “
This Gate was Once Painted With Bright Color
Hungarian Gate | Source: photos from Wikipedia Commons
Ancestral Motifs
The reason embroidery has become so widespread in folk art is due to the ancient custom of dowry.
A proper Hungarian girl was expected to bring a dozen ornate pillows and embroidered sheets, two to four decorated featherbeds and six to eight embroidered tablecloths to the marriage. [1]
Ancient Church Decoration
Hungarian Painting in Church
Folk Art Painting Decorates Door Surfaces
Arts are preserved in the Kalotaszeg region. It is common to see decorated doors in kitchens and other areas of the home. Source: hungarianambiance
Create Your Own Folk Art
Like Tole painting, the folk arts of Hungary were usually practiced by the common people. Most can be accomplished with a bit of practice.
Today, this naïve style is loved as much as ever. The Hungarian version of folk art painting has the usual floral and some animal motifs, but the way the colors are chosen, as well as the covering of the object is distinctive.
Not only are the designs overall imprinted with Magyar style, but the various reqions stand out one from another in colors and motif, as discussed here in this article.
The Matyö roses and colors are comparable to Rosemaling, a Scandinavian folk art form. The Kalocsa region has much lighter palette and hand, almost a feeling of French Provence folk art- although no one would mistake one for the other.
Create art with traditional styling and motifs from Folk Art. Hungarians love to decorate surfaces with this type of painting, and you can, too. Inspiration that will guide you to dream up ideas for your own decorative pieces.
Compare the painting and embroidery motifs of Hungarian Design, they are very similar
Kalocsa Region Is most Famous for Folk Painting Today
The word Kalocsa originates from the Latin colocae which means “made from mud”.
Wallpainting is one of their most famous forms of decoration, and folk artists paint colorful flowers against the whitewashed walls of their homes. Even the outdoor mud daubed ovens do not go without decoration!
The rose and tulip are the popular favorite motifs, but pansy, forget-me-not, carnation, snapdragon, foxglove, lilac, poppy, cornflower, black locust blossom, rosemary,- and even more than that- find their portraits painted in the unique stylization of the Kalocsa artists who are mainly women.
Called “Writing Women”, they draw and then embroider their designs on white and pastel fabrics or paint them on white walls. Today, these embroidered goods are highly desired. It is believed that the decorative motifs from the embroidered clothing was the basis for the painted designs that are now used on all sorts of objects in daily life.
Fine Painted Porcelain
Other Regions Of Hungary
Harta, a community consisting mainly of German inhabitants who began arriving in 1723-24 to replenish the population and farm the land, developed some very fine decorative painting skills which they applied to furniture and small household items. The key motif is a centered bowl full of flowers.
The Swabians history of dates back to the invitation to German people to repopulate Hungary after the devastating wars with the conquering Muslim powers.
The Kalocsa Folk Art Painting How-To
An interesting look at artist drawing and then painting a Kalocsa style flower motif.
Hungarians love to cover surfaces with colorful decoration.
Painted Furniture
Painted Furniture
Matyó
From the region of Mezökövesd
A decorative style for the people of this region of Hungary. As a people they are considered of Slovakian origin.
A book on their designs says, “The Matyó people are one of the ethnographical groups that emerged relatively late. It was only in the 18th-19th centuries that the folk culture of Mezökövesd and the villages of Tard and Szentistván traditionally regarded as belonging to it became distinct from their environment, largely due to their Roman Catholic population. Their decorative art acquired its distinctive forms in this period, differing even from each other in their details. ” –The Matyó Roses
After the National Exhibition in 1896, their decorative embroidery became popular.
They became famous for their rose designs, and many of their crafts have a single color, predominantly red.
Matyo folk art painting on ceramic
Hungarian Painted Pottery
Example of Herend porcelain with a fishscale design. Now known as a fishnet pattern, it is on many of the company’s creations.
Besides furniture and wall surfaces, the common pottery is painted with the same beloved motifs in the common pottery. When in Hungary, these wares are sold in road stands, and in many shops.
However, if you wish for top quality porcelain sculptures and other beautiful products, look for the name ‘Herend’.
Fine porcelains have been made since 1826 in the Herend company.
Hungarian “Writing” Design
Hungarian Artist Painting On Ceramics
Visit Hungarian Decorative Arts Vicariously
Even if you don’t understand the language, the beauty of the designs and the land speak for themselves.
Willy Pogany, Hungarian Artist
Willy Pogany Art. Hungarian folk art motifs are incorporated into his painted illustration.
First thing, and don’t let it scare you, is that the next time you roast a chicken you need to save a little of the chicken fat. That ingredient is also known as schmaltz, which you can make from scratch and keep on hand.
Don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand, or if you decide against it, you can still bake this lovely breakfast bread. Just know that the chicken fat adds a certain “je ne sais quoi pas” that is fabulous. Know that it can add flavor to noodles and vegetables, too. Ilona’s Coffee Shop
Okay, Ready To Bake?
It will feed a family of 6, unless they are swept away by your wonderful home baking talents and gobble more than their fair share.
As with all recipes, you can substitute the fat that you feel best using, add the raisins or not, etc. but if you want the authentically delicious taste, stick with the recipe.
Yeast Raised -Approximate Cook Time
Prep time: 3 hours 30 min Cook time: 1 hour
Ready in: 4 hours 30 min Yields: 6 people
Ingredients
5 cups Flour, Sifted
1 Tbsp. Sugar
Small amount Water, heated
1 package Yeast
1 Tbsp. Chicken Fat, melted
1/2 lb. Butter
1/2 stick Margarine (or butter)
3/4 cup Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
1 Rind of Lemon, grated
3-4 Egg Yolks
1/4 tsp. Vanilla
2 cups Golden Seedless Raisins
2 cups Warm Milk
Cinnamon and Sugar, Mixture
Place flour in a large bowl and make a hole in the middle.
Add yeast, sugar, and warm water in center to activate the yeast. Let stand 1/2 hour.
Cut up butter, margarine and add chicken schmaltz. Then add to flour mixture with the 3/4 cup sugar, salt, lemon rind, vanilla, egg yolks, and warm milk.
Knead until bubbles appear.
Let dough rest until it rises.
While waiting for dough to rise, soak raisins in some hot water for about an hour. Squeeze out water and then add to risen dough.
Then knead dough well. Allow dough to rest.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a large tube pan (angel food cake pan).
Divide dough into 2 pieces shaped into balls. Roll out each like thick pie dough, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and roll up tightly.
Twist each into a rope, braid together, then spiral into the angel food pan.
Allow to rise for final time in the pan, then bake for an hour at 350 degrees.
Oma’s Tube Pan Breakfast Coffee Cake
German cooking has a layover with Eastern European countries such as Hungary, and Czech Republic. Certain cooking techniques are common to many cuisines, thus this video will be a great guide.
Another Name For This Coffee Cake
German’s call this type of cake Kugelhoph
More eggs, less fat, and I love Oma’s helpful tips.
My grandmother’s recipe has more shortening and is a rolled dough, rather than a soft batter cake.
You may notice in some of the old recipes that the amount of eggs and fat can seem more than what you are used to. I think many of the changes came about when sugar was not so dear, and before the large amounts of egg and fat became frowned upon.
Speaking of fat, many older recipes called for lard, and until recently that was the preferred shortening for pie crust. It is still considered more a more flavorsome ingredient than vegetable fats.
When I was first cooking in the sixties and seventies, you find “Oleo” or margarine is widely called for. This is no longer considered a more healthy choice, and I haven’t bought margarine in years.
If you want a healthier diet the answer is probably to take much smaller portions of the carb-laden cakes and add fruits to bring out full flavor, make it more filling and satisfying. I am of the opinion that it isn’t cutting out desserts, but cutting down amounts that is the answer. Maybe that is a cop-out because I love them so much.
European Directions for Similar Coffee Cake
It is sometimes confusing when switching from European to English measures (and vice versa). Yet many solutions online make the process easier.
Using Bundt Pans for Coffee Cakes
Many coffee cakes are simply baked in square pans, but if you have a larger recipe like this one a bundt pan gives a much prettier presentation. In line with the original intent of serving a simple delicious sweet when company drops by, makes this pan a real boon to the baker.
While there are variations in form, most have a decorative shape with a central opening. This center circle is perfect for some flavored whipped cream! Or simply dust the finished, cooled cake with confectioners sugar.
Bundt forms have some beautiful curves for drizzles and glazes, too.
Don’t underestimate how this shape will add to the tempting look of your cake.
Fat In Your Diet
People who give you Hungarian recipes so often say, “It isn’t for dieters” or tell you it is unhealthy in some way. The recipes do traditionally incorporate plenty of dairy and fat, usually in the form of sour cream and butter. But also with nuts and eggs, etc.
The new nutritional information that is transforming what we know about healthy diets is that fat is no longer the bad guy.
Usually what we need to watch out for is the modern inclusion of antibiotic and hormones, along with other things that are so different from our grandmother’s food sources; things that cause inflammation in our bodies. Some fats are necessary and they certainly are a source of flavor that make the foods more satisfying to our appetite.
What are you going to do? Tailor your diet to your own health needs, and use the best nutritional information available.
I remember a special jar to save bacon drippings that was always in my mother’s and grandmother’s kitchen. I don’t do that, but I think the idea of using schmaltz might have a place in my cooking future. Jewish cooking often includes it. It is what makes the difference between plain old noodles and delicious noodles, for me.
Franz Liszt, was born October 22, 1811 in Raiding, near Sopron, Hungary in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His father worked at the court of Count Esterházy, and gave him his first music lessons. He became an established concert performer by 12 years old, a prodigy. The Austro-Hungarian nobility gave him opportunities to study abroad and as a result his Hungarian language skills were poor, and French was his preferred language. In Vienna, on December 1,1822, he made his first appearance beginning his career as a Hungarian virtuoso pianist and composer.
Carl Czerny had taught him, Chopin and Camille Saint-Saëns were his friends, he is said to have performed for Ludwig van Beethoven. Hector Berlioz, Robert Schumann, and Richard Wagner were proteges and his daughter married Wagner. He lived in a time of great musical creativity and added his own genius to the fermenting mix of Romanticism.
He lived in the Romantic Age, when emotions were considered paramount. Whether this affected his relationships is unknown, but he did have numerous affairs, with a tumultuous personal life.
Liszt’s piano compositions are among the most technically challenging. He invented the term ‘Sinfonische Dichtung’ (symphonic poem) for orchestral works. History has recorded his great works and prestige as a performer, even though there were those who criticized and did not acclaim him during his life.
In 1861, he went to Rome, where he concentrated on religious works, and teaching. His last appearance was at the concert of the Musical Society of Luxembourg. His death occurred on July 31, 1886, at age 74.
Heard of Lisztmania? Read on and listen to the music…
Biography and Music
Portrait of Franz Liszt 1839
young Franz Liszt
Teacher of Great Musicians
after a bout of Lisztomania took place, Liszt taught others
It has been said that Liszt passed through six lives.
(1) he lived the life of a precocious and much loved child
(2) in Paris he plumbed the depths of a romantic idealism and lost reputation, but linked destiny with other great men and composers.
(3) lived with the Comtesse d Agoult for five years following the “Bohemian” life and performing to great adulation. See “Lisztomania” not unlike Beatlemania.
(4) became hailed in Europe as a virtuoso
(5) he settled in Weimer to live industriously as an supporter of art and music, becoming a church cleric.
(6) ended his life by traveling between Rome, Budapest and Weimer, eventually dieing July 31, 1886, at age 74
The Emperor Napoleon appointed him to be a Commandeur of the Legion of Honour and in 1871 the Hungarian Cabinet invested him a rank of nobility in Hungary with a yearly pension.
During his old age he lived at Weimar surrounded by his pupils.
He became known as a teacher of great musicians through his work in Weimer, where he mentored Wagner, Berlioz, Schumann and Schubert.
Now you must bear in mind, in the first place, that he had never seen nor heard the sonata, and in the second place that it was a sonata with a violin part, now above, now below, independent of the piano part. And what does Liszt do? He plays the whole thing, root and branch, violin and piano, nay, more, for he played fuller, more broadly. The violin got its due right in the middle of the piano part. He was literally over the whole piano at once, without missing a note, and how did he play! With grandeur, beauty, genius, unique comprehension. I think I laughed-laughed like an idiot. -Edvard Grieg
It is hard to imagine the emotional fanaticism that Franz Liszt inspired in his time. If one witnessed Beatlemania at its height one may have an inkling. Yet, here was one man whose musicianship and artistry transported crowds of people frenzied into mass hysteria.
Lisztomania
The writer Heinrich Heine coined the term Lisztomania to describe the outpouring of emotion that accompanied Liszt and his performances.
“Liszt’s playing was reported to raise the mood of the audience to a level of mystical ecstasy”
[Find out more]
Liszt Says
Quotable
As the mother teaches her children how to express themselves in their language, so one Gypsy musician teaches the other. They have never shown any need for notation.- Franz Liszt
Beware of missing chances; otherwise it may be altogether too late some day.- Franz Liszt
In Hungary all native music, in its origin, is divided naturally into melody destined for song or melody for the dance.- Franz Liszt
Supreme serenity still remains the Ideal of great Art. The shapes and transitory forms of life are but stages toward this Ideal, which Christ’s religion illuminates with His divine light.- Franz Liszt
You cannot imagine how it spoils one to have been a child prodigy- Franz Liszt
During what time do we find the Romantic era? From the 1770’s to about 1870.
“An artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe”, this period of time imprinted its philosophy on many composers and artists we admire and enjoy today, despite the modern rejection of many of the ideas that inspired their works.
The time was rooted in the German Sturm und Drang movement, and an earmark of it was the intense emotion and elevation of emotion in expressions both abstract and pragmatic, such as the political. It was the age of Byron, of heroes and anti-heroes, and the sum of it was expressed by Charles Baudelaire: “Romanticism is precisely situated neither in choice of subject nor exact truth, but in the way of feeling.”
[wikipedia article]
The Most Important Thing
Liszt is probably most highly acclaimed for his piano transcriptions. He transcribed Paganini’s capriccios which contained almost impossible difficulties.His Career and Musical Works, Article at Classical.net
Hans Christian Anderson
Said of Liszt,”The whole instrument appears to be changed into a great orchestra.”
Liszt
Comtesse Charles d’Agoult, née Marie d’Agoult, and Her Daughter Claire d’Agoult 1849, pencil heightened with white and touches of yellow watercolor
The Women in His Life
The Countess Marie d’Agoult was the mother of his children and helped nurture his time of greatest creativity and fame. Liszt began his relationship with her in 1833. “She was said to be ”six inches of ice over twenty feet of lava”.”
Served with Nokeldi, a homemade noodle similar to German Spätzle
The Traditional Hungarian Chicken Dish with a Paprika Sauce
Would you like a recipe for chicken that is easy to make, cooks up in an hour, and is great enough to serve proudly to company? You would? Then this recipe for Chicken Paprikash should really be on your list of new dishes to try. Of course, if you have a Hungarian heritage like I do, it is already one of your family’s favorite meals.
My friends were always delightfully surprised at the mellow spiced flavors and the balance in this dish.
Real Hungarian Paprika
Never substitute other paprika if you wish to have the deliciously subtle taste of this authentic chicken dish.
Always use real Hungarian paprika, and not just any store-bought brand for the true flavor of Hungarian paprikas.
Hungarian families cook many variations
There are many ways to tweak this recipe. Some cooks add garlic, potatoes, a little tomato, and change around the basic method of simmering the bone-in chicken pieces, but this is the recipe I have used, and yes, I mix it around a little, but basically my way is as simple as possible.
The one thing that true Chicken Paprikash must always have is authentic Hungarian paprika. It is always a more tender and rich flavor than with paprika grown anywhere else in the world.
Here is my recipe, but with links to many renditions of this well loved dish, because they might tickle your taste buds with their variations. The fine points of Hungarian paprika are included for the true gourmet in you. Enjoy!
Chicken Paprikàs for Company
The aroma and taste will impress your guests.
Arguably the most loved and famous of Hungarian entrees.
A dish as traditional as Chicken paprikas is going to have more than one rendition. Try this one for company, it is the classic way to prepare this Hungarian favorite. Cosy homemade food, but with a simple elegance that amkes it special for your guests.
Hungarian Chicken Paprikas
Famously iconic chicken with paprika sauce is a dish Hungary is famous for: tender meat simmered in a piquant and creamy paprikainfused sauce.
Every family has a favorite way of making this famous and delicious dish. Online I’ve seen white wine added to the sauce, tomato puree and other variations.
My mother’s family also had a version which I call Homestyle Chicken Paprikash”, which includes tomatoes and potatoes and dispenses with the sour cream thickening, at times. But the recipe for what I consider the best chicken paprikash is the first one posted here, the one I revert to when I want my own idea of comfort food.
Homestyle Variation
Like my Mother and Grandma Used to Make
Made in this manner, it is a more simple way to serve the flavors in a hearty Sunday meal. The pan can keep warm in the oven for a few hours while you are in Church. My grandfather was a pastor and we had Sunday dinner there whenever we visited. Traditionally it started with soup, but this stewed version of Chicken Paprikas skips that course. I combines the entrée and side dishes into one easy recipe. Serve with rolls and cucumber salad.
Brown the Chicken in oil, with salt and pepper, first, to give the skin a nice color.
This dish can cook in the oven at low temperatures (slow cooked), and is probably fine for a slow cooker, although we always baked it in a glass roasting/baking pan and a large Dutch oven is fine, too.From my posting on Facebook Hungarian Recipes.
Homestyle Paprikash
An easy and delicious chicken stew with all the famous flavor of Hungarian paprikas
Brown the chicken pieces in oil; add to baking pan with quartered potatoes.
Cook onions and green peppers in chicken drippings until soft. Add to chicken in baking pan.
Add water. Sprinkle liberally with paprika, season with salt and pepper.
Bake @ 350 degrees for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until done.You can toss in a tomato or two, if you wish.
Notes
Serve with or without noodles. Especially good served with slices of homemade bread!!!!
Which Paprikàs Recipe Do You Prefer?
Paprikas labeled into a bowl with dollop of sour cream
Nokedli Dumplings
Of course, you may use any type of egg noodle, but Chicken Paprikash tastes special with homemade little spaetzle-ype noodles. So easy, too!
You can use any recipe for Spaetzle or Nokedli dumplings.
Serves: 6
Ingredients
3 cups flour
2 egg
a little water added slowly
salt
Instructions
Mix ingredients together to a medium stiff dough. Place on a cutting board and use a knife to separate off little 1/4 inch dumplings into simmering stew or boiling water. When they rise to top they are done.
Dough may also be rolled into lump and grated into the broth using a large-holed grater.
Paprikàs Tips
Sliced onions are not only easiest, they are best. Forget mincing or chopping. Tomato sauce is for goulash, let the taste of the paprika and peppers reign in this dish. Stir a little of the chicken juices into the sour cream before adding it to make the final gravy.
Don’t ever let Paprika burn.
My Paprikash Pan
It can be used on the stovetop or in the oven, which means you can make either style of Paprikash in it. Great for one dish meals, with a large cooking surface and a cover. Sold on Amazon
My Favorite Cooking Pan – an Everyday Pan
I once used a Dutch oven for making hearty stews like Chicken Paprikas, or sometimes a deep sided fryer, but once I purchased an Everyday pan I fell in love with the way it cooks and serves this kind of meal beautifully.
Using a large attractive pan to prepare the meal means that it can be served attractively at the table, no need to plate separately.
The pan above is the exact one I own, it has a tempered glass cover and is made of aluminum encased in stainless steel. its sloping sides and flat bottom are great on my glass top cooking surface.
I Love to Prepare this Chicken Paprikas Method
Why all my Friends Love Paprikas Chicken!
In the Magyar language this dish is known as “Csirkepaprikas”, a staple recipe that can be dressed up enough for company or easy enough for regular family meals.
It may be served as a family dish with the meat picked off of the bone with more sauce. Classically, pieces of bone-in chicken are served on a platter, with a reduced sauce, thickened with sour cream, spooned over the top of noodles.
Unquestionably, freshly prepared noodles are preferred, but any good egg noodles will be almost as delicious.
The flavors of this dish are outstanding, the method of cooking is easy, and the ingredients are quite simple. That makes it an ingenious choice to add to your cooking repertoire.
Because you are a busy mom, what is better loved than a dinner that is easy to make and doesn’t take too long, but can be slow cooked, too? Reheated, it is even better.
I love the fact that the flavors are different enough to pique the tastebuds of most everyone, yet appeals to most palates, as well.
Your Favorite Hungarian Paprika – Hot, Sweet, or Smoked
sweet red pepper
No Narration, Visual Directions
Types of Hungarian Paprika – I prefer the Sweet for my Paprikash
The two most famous growing regions are Kalocsa and Szeged; you will notice they lend their names to brands of Hungarian paprika.
Extra special (Extra különleges)
Special (különleges)
Delicatess (Csemege)
Noble sweet (Édesnemes)
Rose (Rózsa)
Paprikash or Paprikàs?
What difference does an “h” make? Not much. Drop the “h”, add an accent mark with the diacritical ” à ” for the Hungarian spelling.
Learn How To Make Classic Hungarian Style Chicken
These recipes are as easy as they look- and absolutely delicious.
These are variations. All things considered, I don’t think you should add tomato sauce. That is more of a goulash type of dish, and prefer the simple recipe with less steps and less ingredients. I do sometimes add a tomato or two.
Hungarian Chicken Recipe Links – Other Paprikash Recipes
Sofia’s Chicken Paprikash Recipe | Eating Well Brilliant red paprika, the main seasoning in Hungarian cooking, gives this light version of chicken paprikash its color. Vary the heat by using hot, s
Many cultures share this ancient art form, including the Greeks, Czechs, Russians, Romanians, and, perhaps best-known, the Ukrainians. Historically egg decorating is rooted in pagan symbolism and is often practiced when the winter season becomes spring. In the same way, pysanky represents good wishes and blessings, so it’s no wonder that performing the craft aligns easily with the Christian celebration of Easter.
In this article, you will learn:
Egg decorating methods
Different motifs and their meanings
A short history of pysanky eggs
Most Important Tip: Flawless Egg
A very important tip in making your own, is to choose eggs with no cracks or imperfections in the shell.
Whether in Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, or Ukraine (and many others!) you can find highly decorated eggs during the Easter season. For some, it is an integral part of their Easter holiday tradition.
1. Making a Decorative Egg
It’s important to use high-quality eggs when planning pysanky. Smooth-shelled, white, strong eggs are best. You can find high-quality eggs from independent purveyors at farmers’ markets or organic food stores. Once you have your eggs, it’s best to carefully clean and empty them so they do not smell.
My Oldtime Method of Preparing the Shell
When I was a kid, i decorated eggs. My method was a bit simpler, but similar to the above video.
Using a large darning needle, I poked holes on both ends of the egg. One larger, one smaller.
I then inserted the needle and broke up the egg.
I simply blew the contents out with my mouth.
Not terribly sanitary, but in those days I wasn’t too worried and threw away the removed egg insides.
In order to color your egg, you’ll need what’s called “kitska,” or a stylus with a reservoir for beeswax. You may want to find different sizes because they will allow you to draw thick or thin lines. There’s a kit to purchase on Amazon that has everything you need for making pysanky.
Hungarians call this technique, “writing” the decoration on the egg.
Dyes are added to the egg from the lightest color to the darkest in the pysanky method. Wax is placed on the egg to preserve the color before the next darker color is applied.
The Scratch Method (or Drapanka)
Shepherd motif on scratchwork or etched egg | Source: Magyar Vagyok
With the scratching method, the dark color is scratched away to produce two-tone designs.
There is an age-old method of using plants and plant dyes to give the eggs a subtle color. Leaves are steeped in a dye solution, or onion skins are wrapped around the egg, and the plant imparts color. Often onion skins were used for the dye, which gives a warm red-brown color.
After the shell is dyed, a sharp tool such as a needle is used to carve the design into the surface. The color of the undyed eggshell contrasting with the dye makes the design.
A Variety of Designs
Pysanky made to look like cross-stitch embroidery.
Bright, Vibrant Colors Eastern European Easter Eggs
Modern Design Pysanky
2. Hungarian Symbols and Motifs
Typical Hungarian Motif: Bird and Flower
Traditionally, Magyars (native Hungarians) exchanged decorated eggs the way we use greeting cards today. Using symbols and symbolic colors would send a message, usually consisting of good wishes for long life or family and personal blessings. A number of pre-Christian symbols included:
The Universe: The universe was symbolized by geometric shapes and heavenly bodies. It symbolized the highest forces of the natural world.
Spring: Floral patterns and some animals symbolized spring and were symbolic of hope. Spring rituals celebrating new life from winter’s death are ancient and even predate dynastic Egypt.
Birds: Different birds were symbolic of different things. Hens symbolized fertility, roosters a rich marriage, and storks were symbolic of babies.
Bears’ Paws: Bears’ paws symbolized the protection of the home.
Like their embroidering, the Hungarians originally preferred intricate patterns, but very simple color choices for their Easter eggs. Avacal.org offers an extensive history of pysanky that’s worth reading—they include how-tos and more detailed information about symbolism and dyes.
Interested in Symbolic Meanings?
Birds = harbingers of spring
Rooster or hen = fertile, abundance
Deer, horses and rams = wealth
Spiders = patience
Ladders = prosperity
Pine = health
Sun = vitality
Various geometric designs and symbols such as the triskele are used. Significantly, they often mean life or good fortune.
Painted Egg Colors
Dr. István Györffy, in his study on painted eggs, writes:
… “The Hungarian folk Easter eggs are characterized by tasteful simplicity in a one color pattern which are mostly red. Brown, black, and blue rarely occur. They do not care for the multi-colored eggs. The most beautiful patterns are made in seven Csango villages (Brasov county) and in Szekely.”
Creative Inspiration
Floral Elements
Unquestionably, floral elements are favored in all Hungarian folklore decorative arts. Tulips, leaves, roses, and daisy forms, as well as cornflower and others might well be seen; especially when decorating surfaces.
Hungarian style designs from a vintage book. Source: PAINTED EGG OF MAGIC POWER
More Hungarian Designs | Source: Ajándék Katalógus
Regional Designs | Source: Huszadik Szazad
How Painted Eggs Became an Easter Symbol
The Christian holiday Easter marks the resurrection of Christ from the grave, and this new life for a believer was represented well by the age-old symbolism of the egg.
Hímestojás
Magyar word for the decorated Easter eggs.
Decorated Eggs Are Symbolic of Rebirth and Eternal Life
Similarly, symbols for concepts found inside this most important event for Christians found their way into designs painted on the eggs:
Trinity Symbols and Rounds: Intertwined loops symbolize eternal life.
Straight Lines: Dividing lines around the egg symbolized temporal and eternal life.
Half Circles: Half circles symbolized a new day or resurrection.
Moreover, the old motifs came to have new meanings with the spread of Christianity. Layered meanings of these beliefs on the ancient pysanky made this a central custom that carried on, even when the original pagan beliefs were gone.
History, Symbolism, And Ritual
Origins of the Easter egg reach into the pagan customs and motif meanings.
Hungarian-Style Pysanky
Short History of the Symbolic Egg in Eastern Europe
A very early find of an Avar burial ground in Croatia yielded evidence of these iconic mementoes with carved designs as grave goods. Slavic peoples decorated eggs and some from the 10th century were discovered. In similar fashion, the ritual act of using designs on eggs reaches far back in time and is found in ancient Mesopotamia.
Motifs In Modern Times
As time progressed, the designs changed from abstract symbols to more recognizable motifs that are common to the painting and Magyar-style embroidery decorations that Hungarians adorn in everyday life. Hearts, leaves, roses, and tulips are among the most popular and familiar to us today.
Do you collect any type of Easter egg?
Decorated Hungarian Easter Egg Links
How to Make Beautiful Pysanky Traditional Ukrainian decorated eggs created in the springtime ,much like Easter eggs, are called Pysanky. Learn more about this ancient craft.
Please leave comments about your experience with egg decorating or collecting. Can you see the similarities and distinctions of the regional styles of egg decorating?
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