Meaning of Easter

History of Easter

Easter is a festival or holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as per Christianity's New Testament. Easter Sunday is preceded by Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer and penance. The week before Easter is called Holy Week, and it includes the Easter Triduum, 'Maundy Thursday' and Good Friday. Easter and the holidays that are related to it are moveable feasts, in that they do not fall on a fixed date in the year. 

In countries where Christianity is a state religion, such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Germany, Easter is often a public holiday. And as Easter always lands on a Sunday, many countries in the world have Easter Monday as a public holiday too. 

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The Easter Egg

In Medieval Europe, eggs were forbidden during Lent. Eggs laid during that time were often boiled or otherwise preserved. Eggs were thus a mainstay of Easter meals, and a prized Easter gift for children and servants.

In addition, eggs have been viewed as symbols of new life and fertility through the ages. It is believed that for this reason many ancient cultures, including the Ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Romans, used eggs during their spring festivals.

Many traditions and practices have formed around Easter eggs. The coloring of eggs is an established art, and eggs are often dyed, painted, and otherwise decorated. Eggs were also used in various holiday games: parents would hide eggs for children to find, and children would roll eggs down hills. These practices live on in Easter egg hunts and egg rolls. The most famous egg roll takes place on the White House lawn every year.

Since its origins, Easter has been a time of celebration and feasting and many traditional Easter games and customs developed, such as egg rolling and egg decorating.

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The Easter Bunny

The exact origins of the Easter Bunny are clouded in mystery, and most are unsure as to how the rabbit came to be the bearer of chocolate eggs. However, there is a theory...

"According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs. Eventually, the custom spread across the U.S. and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts, while decorated baskets replaced nests. Additionally, children often left out carrots for the bunny in case he got hungry from all his hopping."

Around the World

• SWEDEN: The Swedes like to fill vases with bunches of twigs covered in feathers to commemorate the holiday, and have been doing so since the 1800s. 
• UNITED KINGDOM: In the United Kingdom, the Sunday before Easter is known as 'Palm Sunday', which is said to be inspired by the laying of palms as people welcomed Jesus. Today, palms are used to make crosses and garlands as decorations. 
• UNITED STATES: Children wake up on Eater Sunday to find that the Easter Bunny has left them baskets filled with Easter eggs or candy. 
• GERMANY: A typical German tradition is the Easter bonfire, whereby Germans light big bonfires across teh country to welcome the sun and the spring.