Easter is a perfect celebration for bringing together the family for some fun. While a Christian festival by origin much of its symbolism is taken from aspects that are not featured in the bible, namely the Easter bunny and Easter eggs.
The tradition of hiding eggs at Easter is believed to have originated from pagan spring festivals that celebrated new life, the spring equinox, and new beginnings. During these festivals, eggs were decorated and given as gifts to symbolise the rebirth of nature after winter.
As Christianity grew in Europe in the 1st century, pagan festivals were adapted for the new religion. The eggshell was seen as a symbol of the tomb from which Jesus emerged, while the egg itself represented new life.
Over time, the tradition of decorating and hiding eggs at Easter became popular among Christians, and it remains an important part of Easter celebrations in many cultures around the world. Today, many families and communities continue to hide eggs for children to find, often as part of Easter egg hunts or other festive activities.
This week, Passover, Ramadan and Easter overlap, which only happens three times each century.
This rare and special occasion is a time for all communities to come together and make a common call for compassion, inclusion and peace.
The tradition of the Easter bunny is believed to have originated in Germany in the 17th century. According to legend, a hare would lay eggs and hide them in the grass for children to find during the Easter season. German immigrants brought the tradition to the United States in the 18th century, where it became popularized and evolved into the Easter bunny we know today.
Like the egg, the bunny came to represent the promise of new beginnings and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
FAQs
The tradition of hiding eggs at Easter is believed to have originated from pagan spring festivals that celebrated new life, the spring equinox, and new beginnings. During these festivals, eggs were decorated and given as gifts to symbolise the rebirth of nature after winter.
What is the origin of hiding eggs at Easter? ›
Why do we hide eggs at Easter? In many pre-Christian societies eggs held associations with spring and new life. Early Christians adapted these beliefs, making the egg a symbol of the resurrection and the empty shell a metaphor for Jesus' tomb.
Why is there an Easter Bunny that hides eggs? ›
In Germany in the 1700s children would build nests, and leave carrots out for the "Osterhase" or "Oschter Haws" - the Easter bunny. Legend has it that the Easter Bunny lays, decorates and hides eggs for good children, as they are also a symbol of new life.
Where did the Easter Bunny and eggs tradition come from? ›
One of the earliest mentions of the Easter Bunny can be found in German folklore dating back to the 16th century. According to German tradition, the Easter Bunny, or “Osterhase,” was believed to be a mythical creature that laid colorful eggs for children to find on Easter Sunday.
What does the Easter Bunny have to do with Jesus? ›
And what do they have to do with the resurrection of Jesus? Well, nothing. Bunnies, eggs, Easter gifts and fluffy, yellow chicks in gardening hats all stem from pagan roots. They were incorporated into the celebration of Easter separately from the Christian tradition of honoring the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
What do Easter eggs have to do with Jesus? ›
The egg itself became a symbol of the Resurrection. Just as Jesus rose from the tomb, the egg symbolized new life emerging from the eggshell. In the Orthodox tradition, eggs are painted red to symbolize the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. The egg-coloring tradition has continued even in modern secular nations.
What does the Easter Bunny represent? ›
One theory is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from pagan tradition, specifically the festival of Eostre—a goddess of fertility whose animal symbol was a bunny. Rabbits, known for their energetic breeding, have traditionally symbolized fertility.
What is the pagan story of the Easter Bunny? ›
One popular story you might have seen recently involves the origin of the Easter Bunny. Essentially, the tale is that Ostara, the ancient Germanic goddess of the spring, transformed a bird into a hare, and the hare responded by laying colored eggs for her festival.
What is the true meaning of Easter eggs? ›
Early Christians in Mesopotamia dyed eggs in the period after Easter. The practice was adopted by the Orthodox Churches, and from there it spread into Western Europe. Eggs represent new life and rebirth, and it's thought that this ancient custom was absorbed into Easter celebrations.
What is the pagan root of Easter? ›
"Easter" is linked to the pagan springtime goddess Eostre, according to Hann. Celebrated during the spring equinox, Eostre was first documented in the eighth century and is associated with some Easter traditions that have lasted to this day.
There's no mention of the Easter Bunny in the Bible of course, so its origins aren't necessarily religious. And why does the Easter Bunny bring eggs to children on the holiest day of the Christian calendar?
What does the Bible say about rabbits? ›
The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you. And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.
What is the real truth behind Easter? ›
The Origin of Easter
Easter actually originated as an ancient pagan celebration of the spring equinox. In Christianity, the day was dedicated to observing the resurrection of Jesus Christ, celebrated around the time of the Jewish Passover.
What is the meaning of hidden Easter eggs? ›
a hidden surprise or extra feature that is included in something such as a computer game, a piece of software, or a film, for the person using or watching it to find and enjoy: How can I find out whether any Easter eggs are hidden in my software?
Is hiding Easter eggs pagan? ›
Some historians believe Easter eggs came from Anglo-Saxon festivals in the spring to celebrate pagan goddess Eostre. The goddess, who may be the namesake of Easter, represented the dawn in spring, and eggs were buried and eaten during the festival.
Why do they call hidden things Easter eggs? ›
In a 2003 interview, Robinett recounts that Steve Wright, an Atari manager at the time, loved the idea of hidden surprises in games because they reminded him of “waking up on Easter morning and hunting for Easter eggs.” So, the hidden features became known as Easter eggs.
What is the origin of the Easter egg decorating? ›
Egg decorating is a traditional art found all around Eastern and Central Europe as well as Eurasia and predates the adoption of Christianity. This art form began when the people of this region were Pagan. The traditional designs have Pagan meanings which were later reinterpreted through the lens of Christianity.
