Evergreen Reads to Empower Your Mind
The Standard Sister
Issue no.14
The Egg Issue
April 18, 2025
Julie Verhoeven, Daisy: Manwatching
It’s Time for Eggs
What came first—the chicken, the egg, or our obsession with eggs?
Once we decided to dedicate an entire issue to them, we realized eggs aren’t just food—they’re a story. A rich, cosmic, and mysterious one.
They’re one of the oldest symbols known to humanity—of life, of death, of rebirth. They’ve rolled through mythologies, rituals, and recipes, appearing in fertility festivals, on Passover plates, and inside Easter baskets.
But this issue isn’t really about eggs—or whether you should freeze yours or not. It’s about what they hold: the quiet potential, the crack that opens into infinite possibility.
Let’s begin where everything begins—with an egg.
The answer to the ultimate question.
If you find this uplifting, please share this link with a woman you love.
Dorothy Gulliver, 1930, Getty Images/Fox Photos
Form, Symbol, Obsession
Art- Article by The Standard Sister
The egg has always been more than just breakfast. In fact, we can look at the egg as a source of inspiration that has echoed through centuries—from prehistoric fertility idols like the Venus of Willendorf- discovered in Austria and associated with fertility, feminine form, and life- to Dalí’s surrealist paintings, and to the iconic egg-shaped chairs in Scandinavian design.
The egg is one of the most intriguing and beloved objects in the world of art.
Early references to the egg appear in various cultures: in Mesopotamian mythology, in ancient Egyptian tombs, where the egg symbolized the soul’s journey and rebirth into the afterlife; and in Neolithic goddess figures.
Spiritually and symbolically, it represents origin, rebirth, mystery, and infinite potential.
One of the most iconic artists associated with the egg is Salvador Dalí. In his work Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of the New Man (1943), an egg-shaped world cracks open—symbolizing a rebirth following global destruction. Dalí’s obsession with eggs stemmed partly from childhood memories and partly from symbolism. He associated eggs with prenatal life and the purity of birth, as well as duality—soft inside, hard outside. Some art historians link this to his own experience of identity and loss, especially the death of his older brother (also named Salvador), whom his parents claimed he was the reincarnation of. For Dalí, the egg symbolized hope, life, fragility, and the surreal boundary between life and death.
In the 21st century, Jeff Koons took the motif to new heights. His work Cracked Egg (Blue) transforms the egg into a monumental, gleaming, pop-art sculpture—honoring its simplicity while elevating it into the realm of worship. the egg of Koons is empty, and we wonder why.
Artist Urs Fischer often explores impermanence, absurdity, and decay. In his 2013 piece Sloppy Problem, the cracked egg becomes more than a symbol of birth—it’s a meditation on fragility, messiness, and the strange beauty of collapse. Like much of his work, it blurs the line between playful and unsettling, offering an egg that’s less about perfection and more about vulnerability and transformation.
The Fabergé eggs—a series of artistic treasures created by Fabergé house in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for the Russian tsars, Alexander III and Nicholas II. Designed as Easter gifts for their wives, these eggs became symbols of wealth, tradition, and elite craftsmanship. Each one was a unique masterpiece made of gold, enamel, and precious stones, and contained a hidden surprise—a golden carriage, a miniature palace, or a family portrait. Today, these eggs are considered masterpieces of jewelry art and are preserved in private collections and museums around the world.
The egg has also made its way into the world of furniture and lighting. it's considered the perfect natural form—rounded, balanced, aerodynamic, minimal, and visually calming. The perfect curve. The Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen, created in 1958, remains a design icon: enveloping, private, feminine. The Grand Oeuf Lounge Chairs by Jean Royère—opulent, oversized, wildly playful—embody the softness and surrealism of the egg.
Even the design publisher TASCHEN dedicated an entire book to the egg’s cultural presence throughout history. The book, The Gourmand’s Egg: A Collection of Stories and Recipes, was produced in collaboration with British culinary magazine The Gourmand and offers a rich range of perspectives on the egg: from myths and cultural symbols to historical recipes and modern interpretations. It explores how the egg inspires not only art and design but also food, pop culture, and visual storytelling.
And you can’t talk about eggs and culture without mentioning the beloved Kinder Egg—the ultimate childhood treat, offering both chocolate and surprise. What made it so iconic wasn’t the chocolate, but the sense of wonder it evoked. Like a miniature Fabergé, wrapped in foil, it offered a playful moment of suspense and delight.
In the end, the egg remains one of the most intriguing and celebrated forms in art, design, and culture—not simply because of its shape, but because of the potential it holds at the moment it cracks open. A singular instant in which infinite possibilities converge.
Urs Fischer, “Sloppy Problem,” 2013
Once Upon an Egg
History- Article by The Standard Sister
Before it became the most delicious and popular breakfast dish, the egg was a cosmic idea—symbolizing birth, life, death, and renewal.
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Orphic-eggJacob Bryant's Orphic Egg , 1774
Across cultures and civilizations, it appears in the creation myths of ancient religions, mystical philosophies, and seasonal celebrations that long predate modern holidays. What’s remarkable is how similar these myths are, even across time and geography—each culture interpreting the egg’s mystery in its own symbolic language, yet often arriving at the same core truth: that from the fragile shell of nothingness, life is born.
In Hindu mythology, the egg is more than symbolic—it's the origin of the universe itself. the universe as we know it was born from a golden cosmic egg—Hiranyagarbha—that floated in the void until it cracked and formed the heavens and the earth. Based on this belief, some Hindus refrain from eating eggs, seeing them as potential life forms and thus incompatible with the principle of Ahimsa (non-violence).
Moving westward to ancient Egypt, we find another cosmic egg—this time floating in the waters of chaos. one creation myth tells of eight primordial gods who generated a cosmic egg containing the being that would create the world—including the primeval mound that rose from the waters of chaos. In one version, the egg was laid by a goose called The Great Cackler; in another, it was laid by an ibis, the bird associated with the god Thoth. After the mound appeared, a lotus flower bloomed, symbolizing the birth of the sun deity. Some traditions even describe a scarab beetle emerging from the lotus—an iconic solar symbol—which then transforms into a child. That child's tears, it is said, became humankind. (According to Glencairn Museum: Ancient Egyptian Creation Myths – From Watery Chaos to Cosmic Egg)
Beyond Egypt and India, other traditions—including Iranian, Chinese, and Greek—also feature the cosmic egg as a symbol of creation from chaos. In the Orphic Greek tradition, the “Orphic Egg” existed before the world was formed. From it hatched Phanes, a dual-gendered deity who brought light into the world and established order. This egg was often depicted wrapped in a coiled serpent—symbolizing eternity and cyclical life—and represented the unification of opposites and boundless potential. In some versions, the egg floats on the primordial waters, with its outer shell becoming the heavens and its inner yolk becoming the earth.
(Based on the “Cosmic Egg” entry in Wikipedia)
Fast forward to Christianity, and the egg takes on a new life—as a symbol of resurrection and spiritual rebirth. As Christianity spread, the egg became associated with Easter, representing the sealed tomb from which Christ rose. Early Christians in Mesopotamia are believed to have dyed eggs red to symbolize the blood of Christ. Over time, the practice evolved into the tradition of Easter eggs—colorful symbols of hope, new life, and divine mystery. In Judaism, the boiled egg on the Passover Seder plate symbolizes the cooked meat of the chagigah (festival offering) and the joy once associated with it. At the same time, it reminds us of mourning for the destruction of the Temple. Round foods like eggs are traditionally served to mourners at the beginning of the seven-day mourning period (shiva), symbolizing the circle of life and the cycles we go through in this world.
In Chinese tradition, red eggs are gifted in celebration of a baby’s birth, representing joy, luck, and transformation.
In Slavic and Eastern European folklore, the egg becomes personal and protective—an object infused with blessings and tradition. Eggs are intricately decorated using a wax-resist method known as pysanky. These eggs carry ancient protective symbols and prayers and are often passed from mother to daughter—believed to carry blessings across generations.
In many cultures, the egg is more than a symbol—it is a vessel. The motif of the cosmic egg emerges not only from myth but also from the egg’s basic properties: its ability to nourish, to protect, and to bring forth life. As the Latin proverb says: omne vivum ex ovo—“all life comes from an egg.” A container of life, mystery, and potential.
And of course, we couldn’t talk about eggs without asking the age-old question: What came first—the chicken or the egg?
Science now leans toward the egg. According to evolutionary biology, the first true chicken egg was likely laid by a bird that wasn’t quite a chicken yet. In short, the egg came first.
To Freeze or Not to Freeze?
Femininity- Opinion by The Standard Sister
Egg freezing is one of the most talked-about options in modern fertility—but beneath the science lies a far more personal question: Is this right for me?
Image from Pinterest
According to a 2019 article by Yale Medicine, egg freezing has become increasingly common in recent years, thanks to advances in technology and shifting timelines around motherhood. And this trend has only grown stronger: between 2020 and 2023, egg freezing procedures surged by 194%, according to Forbes. More women are choosing to preserve their fertility proactively, reflecting both social changes and increased access to reproductive technology. But while the process is medically straightforward, and more and more women are choosing to do so, doesn't mean the question of doing it or not has changed. and also, what does it say about finding relationship these day? does this given means its harder to find love in the recent years?
Some women approach it casually: Sure, why not, let's freeze those bitches? Others feel like they’re stepping into sacred territory. * Should I take control over something that was once left to the unknown?, What do I want? Can I imagine bringing a child into the world on my own? Is this my path? What does compromise look like? These questions don’t come with easy answers. For some, it’s about empowerment but For others, it’s about confronting their agenda in life.
Freezing your eggs isn’t the same as freezing time- it wont “pause” your biological clock. And the conversation shouldn’t start there. It should start with understanding your body, your timeline, and your truth.
The scarier part is TIME- and we change all the time. What we think and want today is probably not what we’ll think and want in five or seven years. Even if right now you're focused on yourself—your growth, your freedom, your career—doing something like freezing eggs might feel like taking control over my path but also a paranoid choice like made from fear. But not doing it might one day lead to a different kind of fear: regret. And living with the regret of not choosing something so crucial when you had the chance can be devastating. So what do you choose? And what do you believe in?
So before making the decision, we reccomand to underwent first where we at. There are simple fertility tests available—like AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) and ultrasound assessments—that can give you a clearer picture of where you stand. For some, the results are reassuring. For others, they open the door to deeper reflection that request brave decisions.
The bottom line isn’t necessarily about freezing eggs. It’s about understanding your fertility, your options, and your voice in the matter. It's also important to understand the financial reality. Science can provide information, but only you can define what feels right for your life.
Egg Power
Nutrition- Article by The Standard Sister
We’ve told stories about eggs for centuries. But beyond the myths and metaphors, eggs have another kind of power: nutritional. They’re one of the most complete and accessible sources of nourishment on the planet.
One egg can contains about 6 grams of high-quality protein, essential for building and repairing tissue. It also packs key nutrients like vitamin B12, riboflavin, selenium, phosphorus, and choline—an underrated compound crucial for brain health and memory. But eggs aren’t just functional—they’re biologically efficient. The human body absorbs egg protein more effectively than most other sources. That means whether you’re a professional athlete or just trying to stay energized, eggs offer long-lasting, stable energy with minimal calories.
Eggs are also a powerhouse of lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that support eye health and may reduce the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
For years, eggs were vilified for their cholesterol content. But science has since shown that for most people, eating eggs doesn’t raise blood cholesterol in a harmful way. In fact, the yolk—which many people used to avoid—is where most of the vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats reside.
Here’s something most people don’t know: the way you cook your eggs can impact how much of their nutrients you actually absorb. Overcooking eggs can reduce levels of heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamin A and certain antioxidants. Conversely, lightly cooking eggs—such as poaching or soft-boiling—can help preserve more of their nutritional value while still making the protein easier to digest. Pregnant women are advised to avoid eating raw or undercooked eggs due to the risk of salmonella, a bacteria that can cause food-borne illness and pose risks to both mother and baby. Fully cooked eggs, on the other hand, are considered safe and offer valuable nutrients needed during pregnancy, such as choline, which supports fetal brain development., And thanks to their balance of protein and fat, they help you feel full longer—supporting weight regulation and reducing cravings.
From hard-boiled to poached, scrambled to sunny-side-up, on top of avocado toast or with a side of bacon, darling eat the eggs. Both of them :)
