Date of Celebration : Western - March 23, 2008 // Eastern - April 27, 2008
EASTER EGGS
As Christianity spread, more familiar traditions, symbols and
celebrations of spring were associated with Easter - Christ
coming back to life after death. One of the oldest spring
symbols in the world is the egg. The oval shape of the egg was
the same shape for a raindrop and a seed. These two were
important life-giving elements. The egg itself promises new life
as in spring, birds, and many other animals are hatched from
eggs. In fact, the Persians, Hindus and Egyptians believed that
the world began with a single egg. In ancient China, Rome and
Greece, eggs were given as springtime gifts. In Polland and
Russia, hours are spent on drawing intricate designs on Easter
eggs. In England, members of the royal families gave each other
gold-covered eggs as Easter gifts in the middle ages. The most
famous Easter egg decorator was Peter Carl Faberge. He designed
eggs from gold, silver and other precious gems for kings of
Europe and czars of Russia. These eggs are priceless now and can
only be found in museums and private collections. In early
America, children decorated their eggs by using dyes made from
natural materials like fruit and leave coloring
BONFIRES & CANDLES
The Celts, a prehistoric race or people, practiced a religion
called Druidism. They believed in good and evil spirits. It was
believed that evil spirits captured the sun god and that was why
there was winter. Every beginning of Spring, they would lit up
huge bonfires to frighten away the evil spirits into releasing
the sun. The lighting of bonfires are still a part of Easter
celebrations in some countries today such as in Germany and
Belgium. Today, bonfires represent the light coming to the world
through Christ. The candle is also used as a symbol of the light
of Christ.
EASTER LILY & OTHER FLOWERS
In ancient Rome, people thought a goddess Flora made the flowers bloom.
They celebrated the Festival of Floralia by having big parades and
carried garlands of blossoms throught the streets to honor her every
Spring. The statues of Flora were decorated with flowers. In ancient
Greek , people believed that the goddess Demeter's daughter was
kidnapped while picking the flower narcissus. She was allowed to visit
her mother only during spring and summer. The Greeks believed that this
made Demeter really happy and made the flowers bloom. They thought that
winter is caused by her sadness when her daughter went away again. This
flower thus hold a special meaning to the Greeks. The narcissus is also
a favorite Easter flower in many parts of the world because of its
bright and fragrant blossoms. The Easter lily is a new but popular
easter flower. The easter lily was brought into the United States in
1882 from Bermuda. They serve as a reminder of the purity of Christ.
CROSS
The cross was also a well-known symbol before the time of Christ. It was
used a special mark on clothes and buildings. However, when Jesus was
crucified, the cross became a symbol of suffering. Then with the
resurrection of Christ, the Christians saw it as a symbol of Jesus's
victory over death. In A.D. 325, Constantine at the Council of Nicaea
issued a decree that the Cross is the official symbol of Christianity.
EASTER BUNNY
European legend says that the hare never closed its eyes and watch the
other animals throughout the night. It became a symbol of the moon. The
hare is connected with Easter because the celebration date depends upon
the full moon. In Egypt, people used to believe that the rabbit was
responsible for the new life in spring. Later, early Christians saw it
as a symbol for the resurrection of Christ. According to an old German
story, a poor woman hid some brightly colored eggs in her garden as
Easter treats for children. While the children were searching, a hare
hopped past. The children thought that the hare had left the eggs. So
every Easter, German children would make nests of leaves and branches in
their gardens for the hare. This custom was brought to the United States
when the Germans came. The hare became a rabbit because there were more
rabbits in the United States. Today, it is called the Easter bunny. In
England, the goddess of spring, Eastre had an earthly symbol which was
the rabbit. She was worship by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly
symbol. The Easter bunny also has to do with its pre-Christian origin.
The hare were very fertile animals and gave birth to many offsprings in
spring. Therefore , the bunny served as a symbol of new life during the
Spring season.
LAMB & OTHER FOOD (PRETZELS, HOT CROSS BUNS)
The lamb was often sacrificed as offerings to God by the Hebrews long
before the first Passover. When Jesus died, he gave himself as an
offering to God for the sins of the world. Early Christians then saw the
lamb as a symbol of Jesus and used it for Easter celebration. Many
people serve lamb as part of the Easter feast. Other food served on
Easter are Pretzels , a Lenten food. The twisted shaped symbolizes arms
crossed in prayer. In Great Britain people have always enjoyed the
traditional Good Friday breakfast of hot cross buns. They are also
served throughout Easter. Each bun has an icing cross on top to remind
people of Christ. Street vendors used to used to sing a song when they
went around selling their hot cross buns. This song is now a favorite
nursery rhyme for children.
