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Every year, millions of
people celebrate Easter with decorations, colored eggs
and perhaps a visit to their local Church. But
many of the traditional symbols we display during the
holiday have a deeper meaning.
We have included a short history for
several favorites of the season:
The Cross...
symbolizes the crucifixion
of Jesus Christ and HIS victory over death.
Considered by many Christians to be the holiest of
holidays, people celebrate Easter all over the world.
In many countries, a favorite tradition comes in the
form of special cakes called hot cross buns. Each
sweet treat is decorated with a cross made with icing.
In Greece and Portugal, a round, flat loaf of bread is
baked and trimmed with dyed Easter eggs.
Eggs...
represent the new life that comes
around Easter time. The tradition of coloring and exchanging
eggs started in ancient Egypt and Persia as a celebration of Spring,
but early Christians were the first to color eggs for Easter.
In England, friends included messages and dates on the eggs to be
traded. By the 1800's, elaborate chocolate eggs became popular
gifts.
The Lamb...
is seen in many paintings and used
in Easter celebrations as a representation of Christ's sacrifice on
the cross. Originally, Christians interpreted the Jewish
tradition of sacrificing a lamb during Passover ceremony in the
Temple of Jerusalem to be a forecast of Jesus as "the Lamb of God,
which taketh away the sin of the world ". Today, lamb is a
traditional Easter meal while decorated cookies and cakes in the
shape of a lamb fill many homes at Easter.
Lights...
candles and bonfires are part of the Easter celebration
in many parts of the world. Some Roman Catholics
extinguish all lights in their church on Good Friday and
start a new fire on Easter eve to light the Easter
Candle. This flame, not unlike the Olympic flame,
is then used to light all candles in the church and
many homes. In parts of Northern and Central Europe,
bonfires are built on hilltops where villagers gather to
sing Easter Hymns.
Rabbits...
of course, are responsible for delivering colored eggs
and candy for Easter morning. But some grown ups
think rabbits are just a part of a legend that
originated in Germany. The story tells of a poor
woman who colored and hid eggs in a nest to surprise her
children. Just as the eggs were being discovered,
a rabbit ran from everyone's sight. Since that
time, the rabbit has been the hero of Easter to children
worldwide.
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