Why do we celebrate Easter with Easter Eggs?
Easter is a time of celebration and joy, and one of the most beloved traditions associated with this holiday is the consumption of Easter eggs. These colorful, chocolatey treats have become synonymous with Easter, and are eagerly anticipated by people of all ages around the world. But why exactly do we eat Easter eggs at Easter? Let's explore the history and traditions behind this beloved tradition.
The history of Easter eggs dates back to ancient times, long before the Christian holiday of Easter even existed. Many cultures throughout history, from the Egyptians to the Persians to the Greeks, have used eggs as a symbol of new life and rebirth. In fact, the practice of decorating eggs dates back thousands of years, with ancient peoples using dyes and other natural materials to create intricate designs on eggshells.
When Christianity became the dominant religion in Europe, many of these pagan traditions were incorporated into Christian celebrations, including Easter. The egg, which symbolised new life and the resurrection of Jesus, became a central part of Easter celebrations, and Christians began to decorate eggs with religious symbols and imagery.
In medieval Europe, it became common to give eggs as gifts at Easter time, with the eggs often being decorated with gold leaf or other expensive materials. As the centuries passed, the tradition of giving Easter eggs evolved, with chocolate eggs becoming the norm in many parts of the world.
The Ukrainian Easter egg tradition has preserved the cultural symbolism and significance of decorated eggs, which was once common across Eurasia and still exists in some places today. The traditional method involves decorating raw eggs, which are then allowed to dry out, although blown eggs are used by modern artists. These eggs are given as gifts to promote the health of the recipient, and a bowl of decorated eggs is commonly displayed in homes throughout the year, as they are believed to bring good health to the inhabitants. Eggs can also be buried near the door of a house or a barn to protect the health of people or animals living there, and the symbols on the eggs may represent different types of protection. For example, in China, red eggs symbolize fertility and are given as gifts to a bride and groom or a newborn baby boy to bring good fortune and protection. The prevalence of these beliefs across Eurasia suggests that they have ancient origins.
Egg decoration techniques continue to evolve, with old methods being revived and new forms being developed. Some popular techniques currently include boiling eggs wrapped in silk to transfer the pattern onto the egg and carving sturdier eggs like goose, ostrich, and emu eggs for more adventurous egg artists. Those with their own egg-decorating techniques are encouraged to share them in the comments.
Today, Easter eggs come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny chocolate eggs wrapped in foil to giant eggs filled with sweets and toys. They are a popular gift for children and adults alike, and are often used in Easter egg hunts, where children search for hidden eggs in gardens, parks, and other outdoor spaces.
Eating Easter eggs at Easter has become a beloved tradition for many people around the world, and is a fun and delicious way to celebrate the holiday. Whether you prefer milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate, there's an Easter egg out there for everyone.
Easy Easter Gift Idea!
Our melamine cups make for egg-cellent Easter Egg holders, and with a few simple accessories you can create a festive gift to give to friends, family and colleagues.
What you need:
- Cello gift bags
- Ties
- Ribbon
- Shredded paper
- Any fun easter props, you can find a lot of festive accessories at your local dollar shop
- Melamine Cup - you can purchase our cups in a set of 4 here.
- Easter Eggs - try and find ones smaller than 10cm in diameter to fit our cups
- Extra small eggs to add to the cello bag
Simply stuff the melamine cup with shredded paper and make a nested indent, add the chocolate egg, pop the cup with egg into a cello gift bag along with some extra smaller eggs, add a tie & ribbon and voila, you have a super easy, but very cute Easter gift!
