Traditional feasts almost always reflect what food is available in that season. Easter eggs are mostly (by that measure) a celebration of the fact that with more light, chickens are laying more. The traditional ham, though, is probably because the only meat that’s available is the cured/dried kind.
According to History.com, Easter eggs represent Jesus’ resurrection. According to Time (and other sites), German immigrants in the US 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.
When I was young, I remember waking up on Easter morning and finding an Easter basket on my bureau. Like Christmas (with Santa Claus), I was confused about what the holiday was really about and thought it was only Easter eggs and rabbits.
Today I know better. It is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who three days earlier willingly suffered and died a terrible death on the cross to pay for our sins (a price we cannot pay) for all who would accept that sacrifice personally for themselves. His resurrection symbolizes the eternal life that He gives to all who believe in Him. If He had not risen from the dead, He would have been just another teacher or Rabbi. But His resurrection was proof that He was the Son of God and that He had conquered death once and for all. Without this, we would all die eternally lost and without hope.
John 3:16“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Stonehenge and the vernal equinox were important elements to ancients. When the sun hit the marks, it signaled time to plant. Passover is celebrated on the first full moon following the equinox. That’s the connection. The egg story is found deep in the floundering efforts of seemingly traditional parents trying to dodge an issue they see as embarrassing.
Actually, Christians used to fast from dairy as well as meat throughout Lent. It became natural to break the fast with an egg on Easter morning.
Also, there’s an old tradition that Mary Magdalene used to egg to illustrate Jesus’s resurrection to Tiberius Caesar. While she was doing so, the egg turned blood red in her hand. To commemorate this, the Eastern Orthodox bring out red eggs at the end of Divine Liturgy on Pascha night. You can see Mary Magdalene holding a red egg in some icons.
Fun fact: If you take raw, unwashed eggs, cover them with a layer of grease, bury them in sand or ashes, and then tuck the whole thing away, they’ll last several months to a year. Coating them with nothing but insinglass will keep the good, unrefrigerated, for TWO YEARS.
Many parents are reluctant to evermention anything about fertility, which is why the schools should start introducing the topic somewhere around the 7th grade. That would cut down a bit on the number of girls dropping out in 8th grade.
RAGs over 3 years ago
Well, she does have a fertile mind.
Concretionist over 3 years ago
Traditional feasts almost always reflect what food is available in that season. Easter eggs are mostly (by that measure) a celebration of the fact that with more light, chickens are laying more. The traditional ham, though, is probably because the only meat that’s available is the cured/dried kind.
Bilan over 3 years ago
According to History.com, Easter eggs represent Jesus’ resurrection. According to Time (and other sites), German immigrants in the US 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.
Sanspareil over 3 years ago
The Stone Henge reference is lame beyond lame!
Doug K over 3 years ago
Eggs = New Life. Resurrection = New Life in Christ.
e.groves over 3 years ago
Why is the movie “The Ten Commandments” shown at Easter every year? It has nothing to do with Easter.
seismic-2 Premium Member over 3 years ago
Her parents aren’t ready to discuss fertility with her, so she discusses it with the school janitor instead.
Kroykali over 3 years ago
When I was young, I remember waking up on Easter morning and finding an Easter basket on my bureau. Like Christmas (with Santa Claus), I was confused about what the holiday was really about and thought it was only Easter eggs and rabbits.
Today I know better. It is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who three days earlier willingly suffered and died a terrible death on the cross to pay for our sins (a price we cannot pay) for all who would accept that sacrifice personally for themselves. His resurrection symbolizes the eternal life that He gives to all who believe in Him. If He had not risen from the dead, He would have been just another teacher or Rabbi. But His resurrection was proof that He was the Son of God and that He had conquered death once and for all. Without this, we would all die eternally lost and without hope.
John 3:16“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
sandpiper over 3 years ago
Stonehenge and the vernal equinox were important elements to ancients. When the sun hit the marks, it signaled time to plant. Passover is celebrated on the first full moon following the equinox. That’s the connection. The egg story is found deep in the floundering efforts of seemingly traditional parents trying to dodge an issue they see as embarrassing.
Ignatz Premium Member over 3 years ago
Actually, Christians used to fast from dairy as well as meat throughout Lent. It became natural to break the fast with an egg on Easter morning.
Also, there’s an old tradition that Mary Magdalene used to egg to illustrate Jesus’s resurrection to Tiberius Caesar. While she was doing so, the egg turned blood red in her hand. To commemorate this, the Eastern Orthodox bring out red eggs at the end of Divine Liturgy on Pascha night. You can see Mary Magdalene holding a red egg in some icons.
Moonkey Premium Member over 3 years ago
Well, I learned not to leave a child’s Easter basket on the kitchen table to surprise her if I also had a dog in the house.
Teto85 Premium Member over 3 years ago
10º C (50º F) in Comox today. Crank up the barbecue and start grilling the ribs and smoking the ham and chicken. And maybe a cheeseburger or two!
Twelve Badgers in a Suit Premium Member over 3 years ago
Ah, so you learned something from your parents’ attitudes, not their teaching.
GiantShetlandPony over 3 years ago
There were spring festivals before Easter was invented. It was much as many have alluded to, celebrating surviving the winter with a party.
conuly over 3 years ago
Fun fact: If you take raw, unwashed eggs, cover them with a layer of grease, bury them in sand or ashes, and then tuck the whole thing away, they’ll last several months to a year. Coating them with nothing but insinglass will keep the good, unrefrigerated, for TWO YEARS.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 3 years ago
Many parents are reluctant to evermention anything about fertility, which is why the schools should start introducing the topic somewhere around the 7th grade. That would cut down a bit on the number of girls dropping out in 8th grade.
asrialfeeple over 3 years ago
Happy Easter!
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 3 years ago
Jef Mallett’s Blog Posts
Frazz18 hrs · Totally bogus, of course. Probably. Except for that sunrise. I believe in sunrises, and in anything a good sunrise is trying to tell me.
GreggW Premium Member over 3 years ago
Actually no, but nice try. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%92ostre#Theories_and_interpretations