Easter is a spring holiday event celebrated by most Christians as the resurrection of Jesus. Many of the customs and traditions associated with the day actually come from pagan religions, who were excited that the winter was over and spring had arrived. The holiday name actually came from the Pagan goddess, Eastre, symbol of the egg and hare. Here are some facts and trivia about Easter to help understand the importance of the day.
Why Do Eggs Represent Easter?
Spring is when birds build nests to lay eggs. They need their young to be birthed at the start of summer to have the full season to get the nestlings ready for the harsh winter or migration. For many years before Easter, the egg has been a symbol of rebirth. Baby bunnies, chicks, and lambs all represent the continuation of life, which is why you see so many of them this time of year. The Catholic priests would dye eggs red at Easter to symbolize the blood of Christ. These eggs were given to parishioners, but most historians agree that eggs may have been decorated for many generations before the Christian celebration.
The Easter bunny tradition actually came from the Germans, who had the Easter hare. This animal brought chocolate to kids who behaved. The hare first appeared in German literature in the late 1600s, and people around the world appropriated him to bring Easter eggs to the children. Easter baskets represent bird’s nests. The Egyptians, Romans, Persians, and Greeks all gave gifts of eggs in the spring to celebrate the renewal of the earth.
Christian EasterTraditions
The hot cross bun has come to be the ubiquitous pastry in the spring. It is a sweet roll with cinnamon and raisins, with white frosting. The cross of frosting represents the cross of Jesus, while the spices in the bun are symbolic of the spices used to anoint his body at his death. The buns were made as a way of celebrating the end of Lent, when rich foods were denied. Easter bonnets are another tradition that grew out of the end of Lent, because women wanted to dress festively after they had deprived themselves of finery for the season.
What’s the Deal With the Date Moving Each Year?
Easter changes its date every year, which can be confusing. The basic formula is that the holiday falls on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Generally, Easter falls between March 22 and April 25. Although Easter was a product of the Jewish Passover, calculations are done independently of the Jewish calendar. Then, there are the Eastern Orthodox Christians who celebrate Easter according to the Julian calendar, which can put Easter off until May in their world.
The proper date of the Easter celebration may never be without controversy, as is the Christmas celebration. No one actually knows on which day Jesus was born. Although there are more clues to when the resurrection occurred, it is still based on ancient calculations based on astronomy. Many early Christians believed that the Jewish calendar had many flaws. There has been talk about making Easter a fixed date, but no country has had success with implementing it.
Celebrate the Spring
Whether or not you believe in the Christian aspect of the celebration of Easter, you can certainly enjoy the fact that spring is here and the earth is being reborn. Take part in an Easter egg hunt. Enjoy a chocolate bunny. Eat the ears first, as this is the preferred method. Bring some flowers home to brighten up the room. Have some hot cross buns, a traditional snack found in many bakeries this time of year. Jellybeans are another seasonal favorite, with red being the most popular color among kids, but the adults seem to enjoy the black ones more.