Easter is a common holiday celebrated by many people across the world. It is a Christian religious holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is considered one of the most important Christian festivals. Over the years, Easter has mainly become associated with traditional egg hunts, the Easter Bunny, and egg decorating.
The Easter Bunny is the main symbol of the Easter holiday. The Easter Bunny first came to America in the 1700s from German immigrants. The Germans brought their tradition of laying eggs called “Osterhase.” The children would make nests for the creature so they could lay their colored eggs. Eventually, as this tradition spread throughout America, the Easter Bunny started to leave chocolates and candies on Easter mornings. Over the years, the nests became baskets full of treats for children to enjoy. Additionally, children started to leave carrots for the Easter Bunny to eat in case he got hungry.
Easter Eggs are a big part of Easter that dates back many years. According to Christians, Easter eggs represent the resurrection of Jesus. Decorating easter Eggs is a very common tradition done by families that originated in the 13th century. Lent is a 40-day period where Christians spend time fasting and praying, showing their faith in Jesus. During Lent, eggs were a forbidden food, so instead people would paint them to mark the end of the period of fasting and eat them during Easter as a celebration.
Egg hunts are one of the most common events done by families worldwide during easter. Egg hunts go back to the 16th century in Germany. During this time, men would hide eggs for women and children to find. The excitement of finding the eggs symbolized the excitement of finding Jesus’s empty tomb, marking his resurrection. Eventually, this tradition spread throughout the world and became a popular tradition during easter. Over time, eggs were filled with candy and chocolates, which became a fun search for children.
Easter is the second most popular candy holiday in America. One of the most popular sweets during Easter is chocolate eggs, which date back to the 19th century. Eggs represent new life and the resurrection of Jesus. Another common treat given during Easter is jellybeans, which are shaped like eggs and became associated with Easter in the 1930s. The marshmallow Peeps were first introduced in the 1950s and quickly became the best-selling non-chocolate Easter candy. Originally, peeps were made as yellow chicks, but over time, more flavors and shapes were introduced.
One of the most traditional foods people eat during Easter is Lamb. Starting in Egypt, the people suffered through a terrible plague that killed many families. Deserptete, families started to paint their doorposts with sacrificed lamb blood so that God would “pass over” their house. Jews who converted to Christianity kept the tradition going and started eating lamb every Easter, making Lamb the most traditional food eaten at Easter.
White lilies are the unofficial flower of Easter. They are used to decorate Christians’ homes around Easter because they symbolize the resurrection of Jesus. These flowers first originated in Japan and were brought to England in 1777. Eventually, the white lilies were brought and spread throughout America, making them the flower of the Easter celebration.
Easter features many traditions dating back many years, such as the Easter Bunny and easter eggs. As time passed by, more customs have emerged, making Easter more enjoyable and special.