Contrary of what we’ve been taught when as kids, there are many Easter traditions which seem to have almost nothing in common with religion. Easter eg...
Contrary of what we’ve been taught when as kids, there are many Easter traditions which seem to have almost nothing in common with religion. Easter eggs, bunnies and baskets are not something we could relate to that date on the Christian calendar. But these customs seem very popular nowadays and they are followed every year by families in the entire world.
However, this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Being a spring celebration, Easter comes as a blessing, and after a cold and sad winter which we can’t wait to end, always include a significant change in our mood. Long time before Christian religion to appear, there were rituals and legends based on a fertility goddess named Eostre. Very few people heard about this Goddess and nowadays she’s not worshipped any more but the name of Easter celebration actually comes from her.
There are various myths related to this goddess in different zones of Earth, but in the most common version she is described as surrounded by bright light and animals. The rabbit is also included into these legends, as the creature which carries her light. In fact, rabbits are fitting perfectly in the spring picture therefore they should have been somehow related to the biggest celebration of this season. Rabbits also make little hollows in the ground instead of burrows, their “houses” being often confused with the ground nests of some birds. This could be the point where the idea of egg-laying was born.
As European people turned to Christianity, some of these myths were also promoted by the churches. From old times, in order to preserve the eggs that were laid, they were often hard-boiled, and people also developed the tradition of laying them in red. By the time when German settlers came to America at the beginning of 18th century, most of these traditions, regardless age took other forms and make new traditions that came along with the ones which were preserved. One time there was even the tradition amongst children of making their own nests in the ground, using various materials and clothes. In the good nests, the Easter rabbits would leave colored eggs that would be found in the morning.
Along the time, many of the old tradition changed. This way, the rabbit nests became baskets with eggs; hares turned into popular Easter Bunnies and eggs remained the main symbol of the celebration, being offered along other goodies like chocolate. Nowadays, the gift basket from Easter contains many kinds of gifts and Easter cards, being a colorful and rich centerpiece for an Easter table. After all, what really matters is that Easter festive day brings every year a little happiness and relaxation, along the warm time of the spring, the bloomed trees and the cute and generous bunny. So, let’s wait for this celebration to come and enjoy it!
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