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.
The Tradition Of Giving Eggs At Easter
For centuries, people gifted eggs to friends and family for the spring equinox, and later for the Easter week. By the Victorian era, the egg-shaped gifts had developed into hollow cardboard ovals of varying levels of decoration filled with Easter gifts and chocolates. Fabergé eggs gifted to the Czar and Czarina of Russia now worth millions of pounds are the most opulent iterations of this tradition.
It was around the same time that chocolate eggs began to appear, first in France and Germany, and later in the UK. However, they were still a far cry from the chocolate eggs we know today. Without a process for moulding hollow eggs and before the advent of milk chocolate, these Easter gifts were solid, dark and bitter.
British chocolatiers JS Fry & Sons produced the first hollow chocolate egg in 1873. Two years later John Cadbury followed suit, and his company was the first to produce them on a large scale.
Over the years, chocolate became easier to produce and Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter invented milk chocolate in 1875. From then on, chocolate eggs became a staple of Easter confectionary.
‘biggest Day Of The Church Calendar’
Of all Christian holidays, Kizenko says Easter is the “biggest day of the church calendar” because of the message it represents.
“The birth of Jesus in itself was not a momentous occasion to the rest of the world because his ministry only became obvious when he became a grown-up,” she said. “Easter basically means the triumph over death.”
Easter mass also happens to be one of the longest sessions of the Catholic mass. For some, the Easter Vigil begins after sunset on Saturday night or early Sunday morning into the sunrise of Easter. With more readings, songs and rituals, mass can be anywhere from two to three hours.
Recommended Reading: Cage Free Eggs Vs Regular Eggs
What Does The Egg Mean
One of the symbols that has pervaded both events is the egg. The delicate oval has represented fertility, rebirth and new beginnings for centuries, both in Europe and across the globe.
In Egyptian mythology, for example, the scarlet-and-gold phoenix expires by bursting into flame, and a new phoenix rises from its remains. The newly-created creature then fashions an egg out of myrrh to fill with their predecessors ashes. Then the phoenix places it at the altar of Ra, the sun god.
Ancient Hindu scripture describes the Hirayagarbha, or golden egg, as the source of the creation of the universe. Some schools of Hinduism tell of the story in which the God Brahma broke the egg into two pieces. From these pieces, he created the spiritual and the physical realm.
Within Christianity in Western Europe, the egg has maintained its original meaning of rebirth in the form of resurrection. But it has also gained the extra symbolism of the stone rolled from Christs sepulchre.
Easter Eggs Meaning: Exploring The History And Celebrations
Curious about the meaning of Easter Eggs? Easter is celebrated with lots of fun, activities, delicacies, and of course, Easter eggs.
Have you wondered why eggs remain so integral part of the Easter Celebration? Eggs and Easter have a long association and significance.
Many of us may think that Easter Eggs and Easter Egg Hunts are only a commercialized form of Easter celebration. However, their roots are deeply embedded in the practices of early Christians in the eastern culture. There is a religious significance behind the incorporation of eggs in the Easter Celebration.
Read Also: Sausage Egg And Bread Casserole
Parallels In Other Faiths
The egg is widely used as a symbol of the start of new life, just as new life emerges from an egg when the chick hatches out.
Painted eggs are used at the Iranian spring holidays, the Nowruz that marks the first day of spring or Equinox, and the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. The painted eggs symbolize fertility and are displayed on the Nowruz table, called Haft-Seen together with various other symbolic objects. There are sometimes one egg for each member of the family. The ancient Zoroastrians painted eggs for Nowruz, their New Year celebration, which falls on the Spring equinox. The tradition continues among Persians of Islamic, Zoroastrian, and other faiths today. The Nowruz tradition has existed for at least 2,500 years. The sculptures on the walls of Persepolis show people carrying eggs for Nowruz to the king.
There are good grounds for the association between hares and bird eggs, through folklore confusion between hares’ forms and plovers‘ nests.
What Do Colored Eggs Symbolize For Easter
Easter is a time to celebrate new beginnings, and what better way to symbolize that than with brightly colored eggs? Each color of egg has its own special meaning:Red: The color red symbolizes the blood of Christ, which was shed for our sins. This is why Easter is sometimes referred to as Red Letter Day.Yellow: Yellow represents the sun, which is a symbol of hope and new life. This is why daffodils, a yellow flower, are often associated with Easter.Green: Green is the color of springtime and new growth. It reminds us that after the darkness of winter, new life always comes again.Blue: Blue eggs are said to represent heaven. They remind us that even though Jesus died on the cross, he rose again and now sits at the right hand of God in heaven.
Read Also: Why Are There No Eggs At Walmart 2022
What Does The Easter Bunny Look Like Today
Today, the Easter Bunny is usually depicted as a white rabbit with long ears, often wearing colorful human clothes. You’ll typically find one at Easter parades, mall kiosks and other celebratory events for the holiday, often carrying a basket filled with colorful eggs, chocolate, candy and other treats to give out to kids just like Santa Claus on Christmas. You can even get their picture taken with the rabbit in some places, if you want a keepsake photo for the holiday.
Despite the prevalence of the bunny, it’s not always a rabbit that brings the Easter eggs in countries outside of the U.S. In Australia, for example, the spring holiday is greeted with the Easter Bilby, an endangered rabbit-like marsupial native to that country. Other gift-bearing animals include the Easter Cuckoo in Switzerland and, in some parts of Germany, the Easter Fox or the Easter Rooster! So if you want to branch out this year, those are some places to start.
Why Do We Color Eggs For Easter
The Easter egg is a symbol of the rebirth of Jesus Christ. The egg also represents springtime, when new life begins anew. Christians believe that when Jesus rose from the dead, he conquered death and brought new life to all who believe in him. The custom of coloring eggs for Easter is a very old one. One theory is that the custom originated with early Christians in Mesopotamia, who stained eggs red in memory of Christs blood shed on the cross.
Why Do We Color Eggs for Easter?Easter is a time to celebrate new beginnings, and what better way to symbolize that than with brightly colored eggs? For many people, coloring eggs is an annual tradition. But why do we do it?There are a few theories out there. One is that the practice dates back to ancient times, when people would color eggs as part of spring fertility rituals. Another theory is that the custom was adopted by early Christians as a way to represent the resurrection of Jesus Christ.Whatever the origins may be, theres no denying that coloring eggs is now a key part of Easter celebrations around the world. And its not just kids who enjoy getting in on the fun adults can too!
You May Like: Smoked Brisket Big Green Egg
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.
Why Eggs Are Decorated On Easter
Eggs have been associated with Easter since the early days of the holiday. The egg is a symbol of new life, and it was only natural that this would be extended to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believed that by decorating eggs, they were participating in the act of creation and were celebrating the rebirth of Christ.The tradition of decorating eggs for Easter is thought to have originated in Mesopotamia or Persia. It then spread to Europe, where it was adopted by Christians. The earliest recorded reference to decorated Easter eggs comes from 13th century Germany. By the 16th century, the practice had become widespread throughout Europe.There are many different ways to decorate Easter eggs. The most common method is to dye them in bright colors. This can be done using natural dyes made from plants or commercially-produced dyes. Once dyed, the eggs can be decorated with a variety of designs using stencils, stickers, paint, or even jewels.Easter egg hunts are another popular tradition associated with Easter Eggs. These usually take place on Easter Sunday and involve hiding decorated eggs around a designated area for children to find.
Also Check: Is Rotten Egg Smell In House Dangerous
What Does A Rabbit Have To Do With Easter
Have you ever wondered how a rabbit became the symbol of Easter? If so, you are not alone. So how did the Easter bunny get its job delivering colorful Easter eggs? After all rabbits are mammals and dont even lay eggs. Shouldnt the symbol for Easter be an animal that actually lays eggs, like a lizard or chicken? In Germany, rabbits have been associated with spring and fertility since the pre-Christian era. In fact, the rabbit was the symbol of Eostrathe pagan Germanic goddess of spring and fertility. This isnt surprising when you consider that rabbits are prolific breeders. Rabbits are able to breed at a young age and can produce several litters in a year. It is believed that this pagan symbol of spring and fertility most likely merged with Christian traditions in 17th century Germany. In other words, the Christian holiday of Easter, which celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, became superimposed on pagan traditions that celebrated rebirth and fertility.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian — they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
There Is A Long And Rich History Behind The Hollow Chocolate Egg We Know And Love
Religious or not, we know that Easter is a Christian holiday that marks the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, for centuries before this, it was a pagan festival celebrating the beginning of spring, marked by the spring equinox. This natural event occurs when the sun is immediately above the equator, meaning there is an equal duration of day and night. However, for centuries Easter and the Equinox have coexisted.
Professor Carole Levin from the University of Nebraska explained to Time Magazine why we celebrate the two holidays at the same time. Some Christian missionaries hoped that celebrating Christian holy days at the same times as pagan festivals would encourage conversion, especially if some of the symbols carried over, she said.
You May Like: Bacon Egg And Cheese Mcmuffin
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.
When Did The Chocolate Easter Egg Tradition Originate
As with most seasonal chocolate products, Easter eggs have only become popular relatively recently.
But they do predate chocolate Advent calendars by around 100 years.
The first British chocolate egg was sold by Frys in 1873, with Cadburys launching its own version just two years later in 1875.
Easter eggs were initially made using dark chocolate, and were fairly plain in their early years.
However, in 1897 Cadburys launched its Dairy Milk Chocolate for the first time – a recipe that soon made it into Easter eggs and proved popular.
So popular, in fact, that milk chocolate has become the predominant flavour in modern Easter eggs.
Thats if you opt for a traditional Easter egg, of course.
You can now buy all kinds of Easter chocolates, like Cadbury Creme Eggs, Lindt bunnies and Percy Pig-shaped pink chocolate.
And even non-food-related products have got into the act, with Easter egg beauty kits now the norm.
Typically, families will give Easter eggs to each other on Easter Sunday – but this unofficial rule is generally only stuck to by those who have been fasting for Lent.
Don’t Miss: How Many Calories In Hard Boiled Egg
The History Of Easter
Most people already know the Easter story, but to figure out how chocolate eggs fit into the narrative, we have to go back to the start. Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross by the Romans and is largely believed to have died at 3pm that afternoon. This day is now called Good Friday. Following his death, his body was removed from the crucifix and wrapped in clean linens before being taken to a tomb. A large was placed in front of the entrance to the tomb. Two days later, on Sunday, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and was greeted by an angel who told her that Jesus had resurrected. This day is now called Easter Sunday.
The History Of The Easter Egg Hunt
The egg hunt became an Easter tradition in 16th-century Germany. Martin Luther held egg hunts at the church for his congregation, where the women and children would look for eggs that the men hid around the property. This practice is symbolic of the women who discovered that the tomb was empty after the resurrection. According to German Lutheran tradition, the Easter Bunny or the Easter Hare would bring a basket of brightly colored eggs as a gift for all the good children, hiding them around the house and lawn for them to find.
This Easter tradition became popular in England during the 19th century thanks to the future Queen Victoria, whose mother would hide Easter eggs throughout Kensington Palace. When she became an adult, Victoria and her husband Albert carried on the tradition by hiding eggs for their children on Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter. The eggs had initially been hard-boiled and decorated, but artificial eggs eventually became popular in London in the 1850s. Chocolate eggs also gained popularity in France and Germany in the early 19th century.
Recommended Reading: Bacon Egg And Cheese Mcdonalds