1. In a mortar or blender, finely crush the madder root. Place it in a pot with the water. Let it sit for 12 hours to extract the deep red color. Alternatively, boil it for 15–20 minutes over medium heat until it releases its vivid red hue.
    
2. Take a stocking or tulle fabric and tie one end securely. Wet the eggs slightly. Wet small leaves or flowers, and carefully place them onto each egg. Gently wrap each egg with the stocking or tulle, securing it tightly with string.Repeat for all the eggs.
    
3. Gently place the wrapped eggs in the pot with the dye, laying them in a single layer to avoid cracking. If using brown eggs, add a little vinegar to help the dye set better, and salt (optional) to strengthen the shells. Bring the pot to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the eggs cool in the dye bath for deeper color.
    
4. Carefully remove the eggs, cut the stockings/tulle, and pat them dry on absorbent paper. Once completely dry, rub them with a little olive oil and a soft cloth for a natural shine.
    

Did you know?
Madder root (Rizari), also known as Rubia tinctorum, is a traditional natural dye that gives Easter eggs a rich red or terracotta color. It has been used since antiquity across the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and India for dyeing wool and cotton.

The red dye symbolizes the blood of Christ, sacrificed on the Cross. The egg itself symbolizes life, resurrection, rebirth, and hope. Cracking the egg represents the breaking of Christ’s tomb and His resurrection.
 

Natural colors from nature:

If you'd like to decorate your Easter basket with eggs in colors beyond the traditional red, nature offers a beautiful palette of eco-friendly alternatives. You can achieve brown shades using onion skins, yellow with yellow daisies, blue from red cabbage, green with parsley, and purple using violets. My mother once shared a charming tradition from Ayios Amvrosios in Kyrenia, where they used a natural dye called "pogia"—a type of moss that grew on rocks beneath the sea. This sea moss would give the eggs a deep, rich red color, creating a natural and symbolic beauty rooted in tradition.