The Easter tradition has been in place for centuries — in fact, dating back to the 13th century. Easter eggs have been associated with the Christian festival of Easter, which celebrates the death and resurrection of Christ, since the early days of the church.
Brightly decorated eggs, Easter egg rolling and Easter egg hunts have become integral to the celebration of Easter today.
A report by Huffington Post states painting Easter eggs is an especially beloved tradition in the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches where the eggs are dyed red to represent the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross.
In many cultures around the world, the report states that the egg is a symbol of new life, fertility and rebirth. For thousands of years, Iranians and others have decorated eggs on Nowruz, the Iranian New Year that falls on the spring equinox.
“Easter eggs are blessed by the priest at the end of the Paschal vigil and distributed to the congregants,” the report states.
“The hard shell of the egg represents the sealed Tomb of Christ, and cracking the shell represents Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
The report states Easter egg hunts and egg rolling are two popular egg-related traditions.
“Easter egg hunts and eggs rolling are two popular egg-related traditions. An egg hunt involves hiding eggs outside for children to run around and find on Easter morning.
“Eggs are rolled as a symbolic re-enactment of the rolling away of the stone from Christ’s tomb. In the United States, the Easter Egg Roll is an annual event that is held on the White House lawn each Monday after Easter.”
Historically Christians would abstain from eating eggs and meat during Lent, and Easter was the first chance to eat eggs after a long period of abstinence. (Orthodox Christians continue to abstain from eggs during Lent.”)
Fact File
* Easter traditions have been around for centuries.
nThe most prominent secular symbol of the Christian holiday, the Easter bunny, reportedly was 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.
