Easter Egg
The Easter egg is venerable indeed. While the gaily colored cardboard ones and rich chocolate ones that we enjoy are quite recent in origin, the real egg, decorated with colors or gilt, has been acknowledged as a symbol of continuing life and resurrection since pre-Christian spring celebrations.
Given as gifts by the ancient Greeks, Persians, and Chinese at their spring festivals, the egg also appears in pagan mythology, where we read of the Sun-Bird being hatched from the World Egg. in some pagan customs, the Heaven and Earth were thought to have been formed from two halves of an egg. As the egg was an obvious symbol to early Christians of Jesus' Resurrection, it was felt to be a most appropriate and holy part of the Eastertide celebration.
Even as early as the Middle Ages, eggs were colored to be given as gifts at Easter; Edward I's accounts for 1290 include the expense of purchasing hundreds of eggs to be distributed to his household. in the 17th century,pope Paul V blessed the humble egg in a prayer to be used in England, Scotland, and Ireland: "Bless, O Lord, we beseech Thee, this Thy creature of eggs, that it may become a wholesome sustenance to Thy faithful servants, eating in thankfulness to Thee, on account of the Resurrection of Our Lord. "
Forbidden during the solemn fast of Lent, eggs were reintroduced on Easter Sunday, both as part of the feasting and as gifts for family, friends, and servants.
Rabbit (Bunny)
The Easter rabbit has become as traditional at Easter time as the Easter egg. Like the egg, the hare or rabbit was a symbol of fertility and new life among the Egyptians and other ancient peoples. How the rabbit became associated with Easter and Easter eggs is unclear, but it may have been intended to symbolize the fertile life that the risen Christ would send His followers. In any case,the Easter rabbit has had a long history in European folklore. Modern Easter rabbits are often stuffed toys or made of candy; especially popular are chocolate bunnies.
Easter Clothes and Bonnets
( Theory One)
Perhaps one of the most popular Easter customs in the United States is that of wearing new clothes on Easter Sunday. In New York City many people display their new outfits as they stroll along Fifth Avenue in the famous Easter Parade, which is duplicated on a smaller scale in many other communities.
The custom originated within the Church hundreds of years ago, when those who were baptized on Holy Saturday were given new white robes to wear. Other
members of the congregation, recalling their earlier participation in the ceremony of baptism, also put on new garments in memory of the occasion.
(Theory Two)
The practice originated in the habit of wearing the same set of clothes throughout LENT, finally discarding them for a new set on Easter Day itself. It is said those that do not wear at least one new item of clothing on Easter Day risk their existing clothing being soiled by birds or, worse, being spat upon by passing DOGS or having their eyes pecked out by CROWS.
I'd like to thank these two wonderful sites for the
use of their graphics!
Easter Graphics
Easter Symbols
Please be sure and visit the rest of my site!
Downhome
In Honor of Women
Just For Women...
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!!!
That's What Friends Are For...
Hope
Maryland...
Famous Women of Maryland
Celebrate
Abundant Life
Church Shopping?
