The competition is traditionally held before Easter with the aim to choose the most beautifully decorated egg. The Kroszonki method of egg decorating consists in using special knives to engrave intricate floral patterns on shells which are usually coloured red, blue, yellow, brown and green. This regional decorative art is reflected in china painting – egg patterns were borrowed by decorators and painted on china in what is known as the Opole pattern. All of the decorated eggs are truly impressive with their intricacy, patterns, and colours. They are also connected with the rich tradition of Easter celebrations. On Easter Monday morning men used to throw water on girls who gave them eggs in return. Both water and the eggs are symbols of life. In time, the ritual developed – men started adding aromas (birch juice, calamus extraction, etc.) to the water whereas girls coloured the eggs. Each colour was symbolically significant and reserved for specific groups. Green eggs were given to boys who were still going to school; black ones – to respected members of the community such as teachers or priests; brown ones – to engaged couples and newly weds; violet ones – to elder bachelors according to the proverb Kto fioletowi pszaje kawalerem zostaje (If the egg is violet dyed, you shall never find a bride); yellow eggs were given if the girl did not like the boy. Later, the coloured shells were used as background for ornamental patterns, which is how the tradition of Kroszonki and Pisanki (another method of egg decoration) came into being.