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On Easter weekend those of the Christian faith (Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Anglicans, Baptists…) celebrate the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Thus, Easter is the most important Christian celebration of the year.
In the Germanic languages, “Easter” – also called “Pascha” – was taken from “Eastre”, the Saxon goddess associated to the Spring. Indeed, many years ago, the Saxons celebrated the god of the Spring, called “Eostre” and held festivals every year to celebrate the Spring Equinox, when the day and the night were equal length.
These festivals were celebrated to ensure fertility across both the land and people.
The Saxons converted to Christianity and the name of their celebration became “Easter” in order to celebrate both the Spring and the religious Pascha times. The idea behind the two occasions is different, but they share common symbols and traditions that people still use today.
Since many centuries, in addition to the religious Easter traditions people celebrate the festive Easter season by organizing family gatherings, giving presents, sending greeting cards and much more.
Easter, both religious and popular has its symbols. Here are a few ones:
The Easter Bells
In some European countries, Easter bells have a great symbolic aspect. In the ancient times, the bells of our churches were ringing every day of the year to invite people to attend the mass, to celebrate a royal wedding, the birth of a prince, or for any other public event.
Since Jesus died on Good Friday and resurrected on Easter Sunday, stop ringing for these three days and leave our countries for Rome. Bells will ring again on Easter Sunday, returning from Rome where they have been blessed by the pope and brought Easter eggs.
Besides Jesus’ resurrection, they also symbolize the rebirth of the Spring.
The Easter Eggs
The use of eggs in celebration existed long before our modern day observance.
Indeed, in Egypt and ancient Persia, people were used to dye eggs with the colors of the spring and gave them to their relatives. Eggs were considered as symbols of rebirth.
Centuries ago, Christian people gathered on the public places and were looking for eggs: after the privations of Lent, Christians appreciated to eat those eggs. It was the forerunner of our Easter egg hunt.
The Easter Chicken
Where do the eggs come from? From the chicken… so, as the chicken gives her eggs (decorated or not) it’s an essential Easter symbol.
The Easter chicken custom is popular in many countries but originated from Austria. Today, it is often symbolized by a chicken made out of chocolate.
The Easter Bunny
The rabbit was the symbol of Eastre, the Saxon goddess. The idea of the rabbit as a part of Christian tradition was introduced in colonial days by the Germans.
The hare and the rabbit were associated to the Easter eggs for the first time in Alsace and Germany six centuries ago.
In some countries, Children are taught that the Easter Bunny brings treats on the night before Easter.
The Lamb
In the New Testament, Jesus is often identified with the lamb, and especially the paschal lamb, as there is a parallel between his death and that of the paschal lamb – the lamb, is sacrificed in both western and eastern religions. By the blood of Jesus Christ, the people of God is released from death and can enter into a new life.
And so, in many countries, people eat a leg of lamb on Easter Sunday.
The Cross
The symbol of the cross has been associated with Christianity and Easter since the first centuries after Jesus’ death. The cross was a symbol of Jesus, who died to save all those who receive baptism, it was also a symbol of cruelty throughout the Roman Empire.
Today Christians view the cross as a symbol of courage and salvation.
The lily
This flower; which is also an Easter symbol, is a Japanese flower. The lily is the symbol of the arrival of the Spring, purity and holiness. This flower is known for its beauty and its pride.
A legend says that at the time Jesus went to a place, all the flowers, plants and animals bowed to his passage, except the lilies: they were too proud.
But when the lilies saw Jesus on the cross, their head bent and since that day, they continue to bend their head as a sign of respect.
The Easter Water
It is an old custom that disappears…
Early in the morning, before sunrise, people went to the river and brought several gallons water. The Easter water and a branch that people received at the church on the Sunday before Easter Sunday were used the bless the home and protect it against bad weather. People also drank this water to cure diseases.
Happy Easter!
D. Halet is an European History, Holidays and Tarot cards passionate. She writes articles and creates websites dedicated to these subjects. For more information on Easter, feel free to visit Easter Bells online guide.
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