Why
are bunnies and eggs part of Easter?
BROOKE CATES
Easter,
which will be observed April 1l, is a holiday celebrated in various
ways in different religions and in different countries.
On the Christian calendar, Easter is one of the oldest, most joy filled
day, along side with Christmas. Easter celebrates the resurrection of
Jesus Christ. The Christian Bibles Mark 16:6 says “Do not be alarmed,”
he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.
He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”
According to the Christian Bible, Jesus Christ was crucified, and then
died on the cross. He then rose on the third day. The three-day period
from Good Friday through Easter Sunday has been a traditional observance
of when Christians believe that the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection
of Christ took place.
To many it is a tradition to hunt for eggs on Easter morning. Where
did these eggs originate? The Festivals and Celebration book states
that the Egyptians and Persians would dye eggs and then exchange them
with friends. Author Rowland Purton wrote, “It was in Mesopotamia
that the Christians first gave eggs to their friends at Easter to remind
them of the resurrection of Jesus.”
Eggs, rising of Jesus Christ - where does the bunny fit in? Beginning
in ancient times rabbits have been a symbol of fertility and new life.
Like Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny has become a very popular children's
character.
In the 1700's German children believed that if they were good the Easter
Bunny, known to them as “Oschter Haws,” would bring them
a basket full of neatly colored eggs.
Hares were essential to the pagan festival of Eostre. The hare was replaced
with the rabbit at some point. (Some say that it is because people got
confused because it is hard to tell the two long-eared animals apart.)
In some US cities it is traditional to hold a parade. Atlantic City
has held the oldest parade for 140 years. In Mexico, children smash
eggs over each other's heads. However, the eggs are only filled with
small pieces of paper, instead of raw egg.
On Easter Sunday in Greece, red eggs (red for the blood of Jesus Christ)
are taped together while one yells, “Christ is risen” and
another replies, “Truly he has risen.” In Bulgaria, instead
of hiding eggs, they have actual egg fights! Whoever comes out of the
game with an unbroken egg is the victor, and considered to be the most
successful member of the family for the upcoming year.
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