We have all probably heard the Christian origins behind Easter once or twice throughout our lives. It is a day on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon that is used to celebrate and remember the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion by the Romans in 30 A.D. But why is it called “Easter”? Why are eggs a symbol of the holiday? Where did the Easter Bunny come from?
Easter is connected to the Jewish holiday of Passover because Jesus was crucified while the festival was taking place. In other countries, such as France and Spain, the name for Easter is derived from the word “Passover” to signify the connection between the two events. Among modern scholars, there is some debate on the origin of the word “Easter.” Some argue that it is derived from the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility, Eostre. This view comes from Christians using the pagan holiday of celebrating the spring equinox as the day Easter is celebrated. Others believe it is derived from the Latin phrase “in albis”, meaning dawn, that became “eostarum” in Old High German, which is now translated to the modern term “easter.”
Along with the holiday, there are many traditions that became popular over the years. The use of eggs as a favored source of decoration was first seen in the 13th century when the Church banned the eating of eggs during the Holy Week—the week before Jesus’ execution. In order to utilize the eggs that were continuing to be produced, they were decorated and named the “Holy Week” eggs. In themselves, eggs are representative of the Resurrection because new life breaking out of the eggshell can be seen as Jesus rising from the tomb three days after his crucifixion. On the other hand, in some pagan traditions, eggs represented birth and fertility, providing evidence for some to believe in Christian pagan appropriation.
The well-known Easter Bunny that visits kids on Easter morning with candy did not originate until the late 17th century among Protestants. It can be traced back to German immigration to the American colonies, but its exact development is unknown. Just like eggs, rabbits symbolize birth, fertility, and renewal. While some Christians have adopted and implemented these traditions into their Easter celebrations, others have refused to apply them, believing that they are too pagan.
Despite all the differing opinions surrounding the intricacies of Easter, the holiday at its very core is a day of celebration and remembrance of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. For Christians, it goes deeper than decorating eggs or eating candy from the Easter bunny; it is a promise of renewal and everlasting life.