The Stories Behind Traditional Easter Symbols

What do you think about when you hear the word Easter? Perhaps it’s an important time for your faith. Or maybe it means a family dinner. It could even just be a time to tuck into some chocolate Easter eggs. With the holiday swiftly approaching, we decided to look into the symbols of Easter.

Origins 

Easter is an important date in the Christian calendar. It celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe Jesus came back to life on Easter Sunday. There are several important dates prior to this. There are 40 days of Lent, six weeks before Easter, to mark Jesus’s time in the desert. There’s Holy Thursday, which was when Jesus had the Last Supper with his disciples. Good Friday was when Jesus was crucified. The dates of Easter change each year depending on the lunar calendar. This is because the Last Supper took place on Passover. 

Easter Eggs

How did Easter eggs come to be connected with this religious holiday? Eggs are not mentioned in the bible, but they have been a symbol of new life in many cultures for thousands of years. Most notably Pagans and the Eostre festival. Some Christians see eggs as a symbol for Jesus’ tomb. They could also be a sign of the end of the Lent fasting. It was during the Victorian era when eggs started to be given as gifts. 

Bunny 

Similar to Easter eggs, you can once again turn to Pagans and Eostre for the beginnings of this symbol. Eostre celebrated the goddess of spring and fertility. Her animal symbol was believed to be a rabbit. You could also look towards German Protestants in the 1600s. There was the Easter Hare who would decide whether children deserved an egg hunt based on their behaviour. This tradition spread to the States in the 1700s, where German immigrants introduced the tale of ‘Osterhase.’ A hare would leave colourful eggs for well-behaved children. 

Hot Cross Buns 

Finally, hot cross buns. For many Brits they’re a staple part of Easter, but how did they come to be? It is hard to find an exact date and reason behind them, but many believe they’re full of Christain symbolism. From the cross on the top to the spices used in the traditional recipe.  

Easter is important to Christians, but even for non-religious people, it is a time to celebrate new life and springtime. What’s your favorite part about Easter?