Symbols Associated with Easter
Many Easter customs come from the Old World. The
white lily, the symbol of the resurrection, is the special Easter flower.
Rabbits and colored eggs have come from pagan antiquity as symbols of new life. The Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored Easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. Easter Monday egg rolling, a custom of European origin, has become a tradition on the lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. During the Octave of Easter in early Christian times, the newly baptized wore white garments, white being the liturgical color of Easter and signifying light, purity, and joy.
The CrossRabbits and colored eggs have come from pagan antiquity as symbols of new life. The Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored Easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. Easter Monday egg rolling, a custom of European origin, has become a tradition on the lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. During the Octave of Easter in early Christian times, the newly baptized wore white garments, white being the liturgical color of Easter and signifying light, purity, and joy.
The Cross is the symbol of the Crucifixion, as
opposed to the Resurrection. However, at the Council of Nicaea, in A.D. 325,Constantine decreed that the Cross was the official symbol of Christianity.
The Cross is not only a symbol of Easter, but it is more widely used, especially by the Catholic Church, as a year-round symbol of faith.
The Easter Bunny is not a modern invention. The
symbol originated with the pagan festival of Eastre.
The goddess, Eastre, was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the rabbit.
The goddess, Eastre, was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the rabbit.
hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Easter's on its way!"
The Easter bunny has its origin in
pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile
animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the Spring
season.
The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to
have it's
origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in
the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during
the early
1800s and were made of pastry and sugar.
The Easter bunny was introduced to North American
folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch
country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve.
The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs.
country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve.
The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs.
The
children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the
garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests .
The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come later as the tradition of the
Easter bunny spread through out the country.
The Easter Egg
The egg is nature's perfect package. It
has, during the span of history,
represented mystery, magic, medicine, food and omen. It is the universal
symbol
of Easter celebrations throughout the world and has been dyed, painted,
adorned and embellished in the celebration of its special symbolism.
Before the egg became closely entwined with the Christian Easter, it was honored during many rite-of-Spring festivals.
The Romans, Gauls, Chinese, Egyptians and Persians all cherished the egg as a symbol of the universe.
From ancient times eggs were dyed, exchanged and shown reverence.
Before the egg became closely entwined with the Christian Easter, it was honored during many rite-of-Spring festivals.
The Romans, Gauls, Chinese, Egyptians and Persians all cherished the egg as a symbol of the universe.
From ancient times eggs were dyed, exchanged and shown reverence.
In Pagan times the egg represented the
rebirth of
the earth. The long, hard winter was over; the earth burst forth and was
reborn just as the egg miraculously burst forth with life. The egg,
therefore, was
believed to have special powers.
It was buried under the foundations of buildings to ward off evil. Pregnant young Roman women carried an egg on their persons to foretell the sex of their unborn children and French brides stepped upon an egg before crossing the threshold of their new homes.
With the advent of Christianity the symbolism of the egg changed to represent, not nature's rebirth, but the rebirth of all humankind. Christians embraced the egg symbol and likened it to the tomb from which Christ rose.
It was buried under the foundations of buildings to ward off evil. Pregnant young Roman women carried an egg on their persons to foretell the sex of their unborn children and French brides stepped upon an egg before crossing the threshold of their new homes.
With the advent of Christianity the symbolism of the egg changed to represent, not nature's rebirth, but the rebirth of all humankind. Christians embraced the egg symbol and likened it to the tomb from which Christ rose.
Old Polish legends blended folklore and Christian
beliefs and firmly attached the egg to the Easter celebration.
One legend concerns the Virgin Mary. It tells of the time Mary gave eggs to the soldiers at the cross. She entreated them to be less cruel and she wept. The tears of Mary fell upon the eggs, spotting them with dots of brilliant color.
Another Polish legend tells of when Mary Magdalene went to the sepulchre to anoint the body of Jesus. She had with her a basket of eggs to serve as a meal. When she arrived at the sepulchre and uncovered the eggs, the pure white shells had miraculously taken on a rainbow of colors.
One legend concerns the Virgin Mary. It tells of the time Mary gave eggs to the soldiers at the cross. She entreated them to be less cruel and she wept. The tears of Mary fell upon the eggs, spotting them with dots of brilliant color.
Another Polish legend tells of when Mary Magdalene went to the sepulchre to anoint the body of Jesus. She had with her a basket of eggs to serve as a meal. When she arrived at the sepulchre and uncovered the eggs, the pure white shells had miraculously taken on a rainbow of colors.
Decorating and coloring eggs for Easter
was the custom in England during the middle ages. The household accounts of
Edward I, for the year 1290, recorded an expenditure of eighteen pence for four
hundred and fifty eggs to be gold-leafed and colored for Easter gifts.
The most famous decorated Easter eggs were those made by the well-known goldsmith, Peter Carl Faberge.
In 1883 the Russian Czar, Alexander, commissioned Faberge to make a special Easter gift for his wife, the Empress Marie.
The most famous decorated Easter eggs were those made by the well-known goldsmith, Peter Carl Faberge.
In 1883 the Russian Czar, Alexander, commissioned Faberge to make a special Easter gift for his wife, the Empress Marie.
The first Faberge egg was an egg within an egg.
It had an outside shell of platinum and enameled white which opened to reveal a
smaller gold egg. The smaller egg, in turn, opened to display a golden chicken
and a jeweled replica of the Imperial crown.
This special Faberge egg so delighted the Czarina that the Czar promptly ordered the Faberge firm to design further eggs to be delivered every Easter. In later years Nicholas II, Alexander's son, continued the custom. Fifty-seven eggs were made in all.
Ornamental egg designers believe in the symbolism of the egg and celebrate the egg by decorating it with superb artistry.
Some use flowers and leaves from greeting cards, tiny cherubs, jewels and elegant fabrics, braids and trims, to adorn the eggs.
They are separated, delicately hinged and glued with epoxy and transparent cement, then when completed, they are covered with a glossy resin finish.
Although the omens and the mystery of the egg have disappeared today, the symbolism remains, and artists continue in the old world tradition of adorning eggs.
This special Faberge egg so delighted the Czarina that the Czar promptly ordered the Faberge firm to design further eggs to be delivered every Easter. In later years Nicholas II, Alexander's son, continued the custom. Fifty-seven eggs were made in all.
Ornamental egg designers believe in the symbolism of the egg and celebrate the egg by decorating it with superb artistry.
Some use flowers and leaves from greeting cards, tiny cherubs, jewels and elegant fabrics, braids and trims, to adorn the eggs.
They are separated, delicately hinged and glued with epoxy and transparent cement, then when completed, they are covered with a glossy resin finish.
Although the omens and the mystery of the egg have disappeared today, the symbolism remains, and artists continue in the old world tradition of adorning eggs.
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