Where Did Easter Eggs Originate
Easter eggs origin seems to date back to medieval Europe, whether it was the idea of early Christians or rooted in Anglo-Saxon traditions. Anglo-Saxons worshiped the goddess Eastre as they celebrated the spring equinox, which demonstrated natures rebirth after a cold, barren winter. Theyd usually eat eggs at the festival and would even bury them in the ground to promote fertility among the people. For Christians, Easter eggs symbolized the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Christian missionaries to European countries sought to integrate their Holy Week traditions with these pagan festivals to encourage the locals to convert. They wanted to give these traditions with Easter eggs a new meaning that focused on their beliefs about the resurrection. We might also celebrate Easter with eggs because of the dietary restrictions during the Christian season of Lent. In modern times, church members are supposed to fast during Lent by abstaining from meat and focusing on Easters meaning.
In the early Christian church, fasting conditions during Lent were stricter. Church leaders encouraged Christians to avoid eating any animal byproducts, including eggs, in preparation for Easter. When chickens would lay eggs during this time, those who celebrated Lent would hard-boil them and store them until the 40-day period ended. After Lent was over, Christians would distribute their eggs to the community during Easter, especially to the poor who couldnt afford meat to celebrate this holiday.
How Did The Easter Bunny And Eggs Become Easter Symbols
The bunny symbol predates Christianity, Lehner said. There is no definitive origin of the symbolism, but one of the earliest origins comes from pagan tradition when it symbolized fertility. It later became a German folklore that made its way into the United State in the late-18th century.
Easter isn’t when Christ was born, but Lehner said it represents the meaning of the holiday.
“Fertility means new life. Well, in Christianity, you have this new life in Easter. It’s a symbol that’s good and imaginative and in people’s memory,” he said.
Eggs have a similar message. If you look at an egg for the first time, you might not expect an animal to come out of it, alluding to the unexpected resurrection of Christ. Nadieszda said the dyeing eggs also dates back to the ancient Middle East when people used onion skins to color them.
Nadieszda added eggs were also decorated because of their importance. In the early days of Lent, the time period of fasting between Ash Wednesday and Easter, meat was given up, as well as dairy products. So people would prepare their eggs for when they could finally eat them.
“Being able to eat eggs once again was a really big deal. That’s when people started the custom of decorating eggs,” Nadieszda said. “After seven weeks of not eating meat or dairy, you feel like Superman.”
Here’s how to save:Egg prices are up for Easter and Passover because of bird flu and inflation.
We Ask You Humbly To Help
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot that’s great! It’s a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We’re not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >
Read Also: Old Fashioned Chicken Salad With Eggs
Dream Meanings Of Eggs
Are you dreaming about eggs? What does a dream about eggs mean? Well, when it comes to any dream interpretations, its important to pay the most attention to how you felt during it.
For example, dreaming of a giant egg usually represents lots of good things arriving soon in your life. However, if you felt a lot of anxiety about this every large egg hatching, it could mean theres too much of a good thing which definitely changes the meaning! So, pay attention to how you felt during the dream and after above all else.
But, generally dreaming of an egg means new things are coming into your life. You might expect new opportunities to hatch in your life! Lots of eggs means many blessings in dreams, the bigger the eggs the better! If you are wanting to have a baby, or even adopt a new pet, eggs are a great omen to dream of. Generally you can expect good luck, abundance, fertility, and positive energy to flow into your waking life.
If you dream of broken eggs, you might expect some bad news or a possible let down. Generally, broken, cracked, or rotten eggs means poor outcomes.
For instance, if you dream of broken, rotten eggs surrounding a home, you might have your current plans to move derailed. But, dont worry, whats meant to be in your life will come at the right time. Maybe youre meant to move into an even better home. Trust that everything will work out for the best, and it will!
Further Reading
Whats The Spiritual Meaning Of A Cracked Egg
So, were pretty clear on what a broken egg means. But, what does it mean spiritually when youve found a cracked egg? According to some superstitions, a cracked egg can be a rather negative omen. Because it is not completely broken open or still in tact, it means the energy is stuck in limbo. This means whatever you want to manifest in life, either good or bad, is barely moving to fruition. Progress is very, very slow!
However, this can be a good thing. Its not always bad to wait for things to happen, sometimes you can learn even more. For example, if youve found a cracked egg safe in a nest, a few hours later a bird might finally emerge from the egg. You might want to be more patient and mindful of where you are investing your energy.
As a bird sits upon her eggs waiting for babies to hatch, make sure you are hatching the eggs you want to bring forth in your life. If you are investing time and effort into a helpless situation, you might want to move nests! Invest your energy where it will be fruitful.
Recommended Reading: Organic Vs Free Range Eggs
Easter Symbols And Traditions
Easter traditions and symbols have evolved over time, though some have been around for centuries. While to Christians, Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ, many Easter traditions are not found in the Bible. The most prominent secular symbol of the Christian holiday, the Easter bunny, was reportedly introduced to America by the German immigrants who brought over their stories of an egg-laying hare. The decoration of eggs is believed to date back to at least the 13th century, while the rite of the Easter parade has even older roots. Other traditions, such as the consumption of Easter candy, are among the modern additions to the celebration of this early springtime holiday.
WATCH: Jesus: His Life on HISTORY Vault
Easter Lilies And Flowers
White Easter Lilies symbolize the purity of Christ to Christians and are common decorations in churches and homes around the Easter holiday. Their growth from dormant bulbs in the ground to flowers symbolize the rebirth and hope of Christs resurrection. Lilies are native to Japan and were brought to England in 1777, but wound their way to the U.S. in the wake of World War I. They went on to become the unofficial flower of Easter celebrations across the United States.
Recommended Reading: Philly Cheese Steak Egg Rolls Recipe
Why Do We Have Easter Eggs And The Easter Bunny
Easter is the most important Christian festival of the years – it’s when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Bible says that Christ died on the cross on a day called Good Friday. According to the Bible, Jesus was then resurrected and came back to life on Easter Sunday.
Easter is on different dates each year, between 21 March and 25 April, depending on when there’s a full moon in Spring.
Many Christians usually spend time at church in thought, prayer and celebration of Jesus Christ’s life, and may get together with friends and family for a special meal.
Easter Eggs Symbolize More Than You Think
Eggs sometimes get a bad rap at Easter. Eggs are such a widely used symbolic food. Everyone from dancing druids and pagan fertility gods to worst of all bored kids on Halloween, have all claimed eggs as some sort of special specimen for themselves.
The Christian use of eggs at Easter probably has roots in a host of different cultures and traditions. But there are two connections that make the Easter egg a powerful symbol for this miraculous morning. Jesus final journey to Jerusalem brought him there to celebrate Pesach, Passover, in that holy city. The Last Supper was a Passover Seder. One of the ritual foods arranged on everyones Passover plate was a hard boiled egg, the beitzah.
This egg symbolized the chagigah, a ritual sacrifice made in the Temple. After the Temple was destroyed this egg also became a mourners reminder. The Temple sacrifice could no longer be made, because the Temple no longer existed. In Orthodox Judaism hard boiled eggs are still offered to mourners as their first food after a funeral.
Easter eggs, with their beautiful, brightly colored, decorated shells are MEANT to be broken, peeled, revealed. The constricting shell of sin and death that had held humanity captive for so long lay shattered by the power of Jesus resurrection. Every pink, blue, green, and purple smudge under our fingernails is a sign of Christs triumph over the prison of death.
In the words of the hymn written by St. John Damascene in the 8th century:
Recommended Reading: House Smells Like Rotten Eggs
What Does The Easter Bunny Have To Do With Jesus
The Easter Bunny is another fun tradition we share during the spring season. Theyre everywhere! On store shelves and in popular Easter movies.
But how does a cute Easter bunny hopping around and leaving chocolate easter eggs in your yard tie into the Easter story?
Well, the simple answer is, it doesnt have anything to do with Jesus or the religious Easter holiday we observe as Christians.
Most likely the Easter bunny as we know it today is a twist on a pagan belief from long ago when people believed in a goddess that took on the form of a rabbit. If youre interested you can read more about the origins of the Easter Bunny in this article from crosswalk.com.
I know, its a bummer. But lets not let it keep us from enjoying the season of hope Easter brings.
For me, I see the Easter Bunny as a symbol of springtime. Because thats when the bunnies show up in my backyard and take up residence under my lilac bush.
They bring me so much joy as I watch them lounging under its purple flowers, munching on the tall grass, and playing with each other. So, its hard for me to think of them as anything but joyful.
However, I think we should always defer to the Bible and its teaching. And during this time of celebrating the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, lets remember the truth of what this holiday means for us and our salvation.
Because its all about Jesus! Everything else pales in comparison.
What Is The Spiritual Meaning Of An Egg In Daily Life
Eggs have been a part of pagan celebrations of springtime since time immemorial. Even in Africa, ancient tribes decorated eggs to mark the occasion of the birth of new life.
This practice bears some similarity to that of the ancient Chinese, who also gifted eggs to one another at the onset of spring. In fact, eggs form an important part of daily life in modern China, too. The Chinese still give hard-boiled eggs to the parents of newborn kids. These are often coloured red since red represents vitality and good fortune in China.
Eggs feature as gifts on birthdays and weddings, too. A bride in China is often sent off to her in-laws home with a gift of eggs. The eggs celebrate the gift of fertility the bride carries with her.
In the seventeenth century France, brides would break an egg as they embarked upon their marital life. The egg acted as an auspicious symbol of fertility on such occasions.
A modern Christian, too, is no stranger to the spiritual significance of eggs. In a coming together of spirituality and celebration, eggs are used in various kinds of games on Easter. People decorate their eggs in all sorts of rich and creative patterns. Then there is the practice of egg rolling, wherein eggs are rolled on the White House lawn on the Monday following Easter.
Recommended Reading: Cage Free Eggs Vs Regular Eggs
Why Do We Celebrate Easter With A Bunny And Eggs
According to Discovery News, since ancient times, eggs and rabbits have been a symbol of fertility, while spring has been a symbol of rebirth. So even though rabbits dont lay eggs, the association of these symbols was almost natural. The Easter bunny and Easter eggs originated as pagan symbols of spring and rebirth.
What does Easter eggs have to do with Jesus?
From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus emergence from the tomb and resurrection. The event has no religious significance, although some people have considered egg rolling symbolic of the stone blocking Jesus tomb being rolled away, leading to his resurrection.
What is the purpose of Easter eggs and why eggs bunnies dont even lay eggs?
The story of the Easter Bunny is thought to have become common in the 19th Century. Rabbits usually give birth to a big litter of babies , so they became a symbol of new life. Legend has it that the Easter Bunny lays, decorates and hides eggs as they are also a symbol of new life.
Why does the Easter Bunny bring eggs?
Why do we give Easter eggs to people?
For Christians the custom of giving eggs at Easter celebrates new life. Christians remember that Jesus, after dying on the cross, rose from the dead. They believe that, through his resurrection, Jesus defeated death and sin and offers people the promise of eternal life if they follow his teachings.
Why do we celebrate Easter according to the Bible?
What was the first egg given at Easter?
Eggs: Symbols Of New Life
Eggs have been a part of Spring rituals since before recorded history. After the long winter, chickens and other birds start to lay eggs again, each egg bursting with new life, mirroring the entire season of Spring. Ancient people, like the Hutsuls of Ukraine, decorated eggs and gave them as gifts to special people in their lives. So, the symbolism of eggs does predate Christianity.
Early Christians, recognizing the power of the egg as a symbol for new life, connected eggs to the new life found in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. Eggs are a perfect Easter symbol, and a symbol of new life in Christ. Consider the following famous verse by St. Paul, So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away see, everything has become new! . Furthermore, the egg is an illustration the Resurrection itself a chick emerging from its shell represents Jesus emerging from his tomb on Easter.
An Easter basket is a convenient way to carry eggs or treats, but even the grass around the nestled Easter eggs reminds us of new life. In the words of this well-loved Easter hymn: Now the green blade rises from the buried grain. Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain. Love lives again, that with the dead has been. Love is come again like wheat that springs up green.
Also Check: Ways To Cook An Egg
Use Of Easter Eggs In Decorations
In some Mediterranean countries, especially in Lebanon, chicken eggs are boiled and decorated by dye and/or painting and used as decoration around the house. Then, on Easter Day, young kids would duel with them saying ‘Christ is resurrected, Indeed, He is’, breaking and eating them. This also happens in Georgia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine. In Easter Sunday friends and family hit each other’s egg with their own. The one whose egg does not break is believed to be in for good luck in the future.
In Germany, eggs decorate trees and bushes as Easter egg trees, and in several areas public wells as Osterbrunnen.
There used to be a custom in Ukraine, during Easter celebrations to have krashanky on a table in a bowl with wheatgrass. The number of the krashanky equalled the number of departed family members.
-
Ukrainian Easter eggs
How Did Easter Become A Holiday
The story of Christ’s resurrection is the “foundation of their faith” for early Christians, Nadieszda Kizenko, director of religious studies at the University at Albany, told USA TODAY.
But when and how the holiday would be observed varied across different regions. It wasn’t until the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, when Christian bishops first met in the then Greek city, that an agreement of when to observe Easter was reached.
The decision: celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal, or spring, equinox. Since the equinox usually occurs on March 20-21, Easter can fall on any Sunday from March 22 to April 25.
“It’s not like Christmas. Easter is a moveable feast,” Kizenko said.
Don’t Miss: Salad With Hard Boiled Eggs
What Is The Spiritual Meaning Of An Egg In Creation Stories
An egg is often taken to represent the earth. It features in creation stories all over the world. These stories featuring the egg can be divided into two types. There are stories that see the egg as the seed from which the first human emerged. There is also another group of stories in which a cosmic egg is seen as the progenitor of the entire universe. This egg then gives rise to heaven and the earth.
These creation stories have a recurring motif. Initially, the world is plunged into darkness and filled with primordial waters. An egg floats on these waters, carrying within itself the potential for life. Often, a primitive being emerges from this egg and separates the universe into heaven and the earth, thus originating the duality that is at the root of creation.
Since the egg causes darkness to evaporate from the world, it is often celebrated as a symbol of light.
The egg features in Egyptian creation myths, where it is seen as the soul of the primordial waters. Similarly, Chinese myth describes how Pangu, the first being, arose out of an egg, and went on to separate chaos into yin and yang. In Hindu mythology, too, Prajapati, the creator god, is said to have emerged out of an egg. According to the Greeks, the Orphic egg gave birth to a hermaphrodite being called Phanes.