Easter Eggs

Of all the symbols associated with Easter the egg, the symbol of fertility and new life, is the most identifiable. The customs and traditions of using eggs have been associated with Easter for centuries.

Originally Easter eggs were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring and were used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. After they were colored and etched with various designs the eggs were exchanged by lovers and romantic admirers, much the same as valentines. In medieval time eggs were traditionally given at Easter to the servants. In Germany eggs were given to children along with other Easter gifts.

Different cultures have developed their own ways of decorating Easter eggs. Crimson eggs, to honor the blood of Christ, are exchanged in Greece. In parts of Germany and Austria green eggs are used on Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday). Slavic peoples decorate their eggs in special patterns of gold and silver.

Austrian artists design patterns by fastening ferns and tiny plants around the eggs, which are then boiled. The plants are then removed revealing a striking white pattern. The Poles and Ukrainians decorate eggs with simple designs and colors. A number of eggs are made in the distinctive manner called pysanki (to design, to write).

Pysanki eggs are a masterpiece of skill and workmanship. Melted beeswax is applied to the fresh white egg. It is then dipped in successive baths of dye. After each dip wax is painted over the area where the preceding color is to remain. Eventually a complex pattern of lines and colors emerges into a work of art.

In Germany and other countries eggs used for cooking where not broken, but the contents were removed by piercing the end of each egg with a needle and blowing the contents into a bowl. The hollow eggs were dyed and hung from shrubs and trees during the Easter Week. The Armenians would decorate hollow eggs with pictures of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other religious designs.

Find great Easter bunny costumes for the whole family

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Comments

Adeline Broemn Michael

20:47 08/11/2008

 

Can you make it simpler? I don't seem to understand.

Staycey101

11:46 06/15/2008

 

this is someathing they should teach us in school it's very intresting. i would like to learn more!

samsonx12

14:55 05/27/2008

 

i lov eggs im learning about them in science

ghf

10:02 05/06/2008

 

you haven't explained how different religions celebrate it, or different branches of Christianity (editor: I guess you haven't checked out our pages on the Greek Orthodox and Russian celebrations of Easter)

Nicu

05:00 04/25/2008

 

Happy Easter

andreea

02:22 04/25/2008

 

i love easter....is my favorite day...

god does feel so good cuz i got him where i want him now

19:53 04/09/2008

 

pretty eggs

kitty

02:43 03/30/2008

 

my Easter holiday will end today T_T i need to go to school tomorrow~ >v

happy feet

14:22 03/28/2008

 

i love eggs

apples

10:30 03/28/2008

 

Eggs are asome