What Do Eggs Have to Do with Easter?
In Christianity, Easter is the most important holiday, commemorating Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion.
The origin of Easter eggs may be traced back to a Pagan springtime festival. For pagans, eggs are a sign of rebirth, making them an ideal springtime decoration.
It wasn’t until later in history that Christians realized that the eggs’ shells symbolized Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Traditionally, Christians were prohibited from eating eggs during Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter. Because of this, when friends gathered on Easter Sunday, they would share eggs.
On the Saturday before Lent began, it was a standard tradition in England for youngsters to go door-to-door begging for eggs. Prior to their fasting, they gave eggs to youngsters as a special gift.
Easter eggs were presumably decorated as a special meal to be served. Eggs that have been cooked with a few flowers turn a beautiful shade of yellow.
During the Victorian era, individuals would present to one another with elaborately painted cardboard eggs filled with trinkets and covered with satin and ribbons as a way to show their affection for one another.
In remembrance of Christ’s shed blood on the cross, many Eastern Orthodox Christians still paint their Easter eggs crimson.
Green is another popular choice since it symbolizes the rebirth of nature after the long, dark months of winter.
