As Christianity spread, more familiar traditions, symbols and
celebrations of spring were associated with Easter - Christ coming back
to life after death. One of the oldest spring symbols in the world is
the egg.The egg
itself promises new life as in spring, birds, and many other animals are
hatched from eggs. In England,
members of the royal families gave each other gold-covered eggs as
Easter gifts in the middle ages.In early
America, children decorated their eggs by using dyes made from natural
materials like fruit and leave coloring.
BONFIRES & CANDLES
The Celts, a prehistoric race or people, practiced a religion called
Druidism. They believed in good and evil spirits. It was believed that
evil spirits captured the sun god and that was why there was winter.Today, bonfires represent the light coming to
the world through Christ. The candle is also used as a symbol of the
light of Christ.
European legend says that the hare never closed its eyes and watch the other animals throughout the night. It became a symbol of the moon. The hare is connected with Easter because the celebration date depends upon the full moon.
In England, the goddess of spring, Eastre had an earthly symbol which was the rabbit. She was worship by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol.
The Easter bunny also has to do with its pre-Christian origin.
The hare were very fertile animals and gave birth to many offsprings in
spring. Therefore , the bunny served as a symbol of new life during the
Spring season.
