Easter Eggs: History, Customs and Traditions

The Easter Egg origin comes from ancient times, it was an important symbol in the myths of
the early civilizations, including those of Egypt and India. It was common belief that the
universe originated from a large egg and that the halves of its shell corresponded to Heaven
and earth. The egg was also connected with the springtime fertility rituals of many
pre-Christian and Indo-European peoples, and both the Egyptians and the Persians made it a
practice of coloring eggs in the spring. In Christian beliefs, the egg is a symbol of
Resurrection, representing the emergence of Christ from His tomb to everlasting life.

I've read, according to legend, when Simon was asked
to assist Jesus in carrying the cross, he was carrying a basket of eggs.
On returning, after the crucifixion and death of our Lord, he found the
eggs...all arrayed in a rainbow of colors.

For many cultures, the egg is a symbol of life and fertility.
References to its use in Spring festivals can be found in
Pagan, Greek, Persian, and Chinese writings. The early
Christians adopted it as a symbol of the resurrection of
Christ and it became part of the Easter celebration.

In France, the custom of offering eggs as Easter gifts began in the 4th
century A.D. Church law dictated that Christians must abstain from
eating meat or eggs during the 40 days of fasting (carême) that preceded
Easter Sunday. This was a tough time for the egg producers, hens
continued to lay, but no one was eating eggs! The eggs were saved and
given to friends and to the neighborhood children. On Holy Thursday, Good
Friday and Holy Saturday, organized groups of children would follow the
choirboys through the streets, collecting eggs. On Easter Sunday, the eggs
were used to make an omelet. Legend had it that if on Easter Day, after the
carême, the first thing eaten was an egg that had been laid on Good
Friday, you would be protected from illness until the following Easter.
Eventually, people began to color and decorate the eggs to make a more
attractive gift.

During the reign of Louis XIV, a tradition evolved where the King was
entitled to the largest egg laid during the week preceding Easter
Sunday. On Easter, colored eggs painted with gold leaf (said to bring
wealth to those who receive them) were blessed. Then, the king would
ceremoniously distribute the eggs to his courtesans and valets. The custom
was abolished in France after the Revolution, but it continued to be
practiced by royals in other countries.

For a time, eggs were also used as a form of currency. Once a year
clerics and students, many who were living in poverty, would trudge
through the streets of Paris, carrying an egg basket, and collecting what
they could.

Eventually, these customs evolved and people began to offer chocolate
eggs instead. Other traditions emerged, such as hiding colored and
decorated eggs and organizing Easter egg hunts.

The Legend of the Easter Egg   by Father James Gaffney

An egg, symbol of new life and fertility, is one of the more common symbols associated with Easter. Once painted with the colors of spring sunrise, eggs were used in games, given as gifts and decorated with very intricate and exquisite designs. During the 4th Century, eggs became forbidden during Lent. Since spring is the peak laying time for hens, there was a glut of eggs-which led to the practice of hard boiling and decorating them as a gift for children on Easter Sunday, the end of the Lenten fasting. This is not all that much different from our practice of giving candy, another favorite Lenten sacrifice.

Different cultures developed their own technique in decorating eggs. all of which had a significance in the folklore and religious customs of the country. Crimson eggs. signifying the blood of Christ, arc used in Greece, while the Germans use green eggs exchanged on : Maundy Thursday. Slavic people decorate eggs with intricate patterns of gold and silver. Austrians use ferns and tiny plants scrapped around the eggs. Once boiled, the plants are removed, leasing unique patterns.

Eastern countries such as the Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania. Russia itself, Hungary and Poland have strong traditions of egg decorations. Most ancient designs are geometric a star, broken cross, triangle and tripod-all of which date back to the pagan cult of sun worship. The advent of Christianity introduced symbols such as the cross, a church and a fish.
Other designs and their meanings are:

•Diamonds symbolizing knowledge.
•The Sun and Stars-symbolizing life, fortune, growth.
•Roses symbolizing love, caring.
•Pine Needles-symbolizing health, stamina, eternal youth.
•Curls-symbolizing defense or protection.
•Spiders-symbolizing patience.
•Ribbons symbolizing everlasting life, and Easter
•Birds-symbolizing fulfillment of wishes, and fertility.
(The bird is always shown at rest, never flying.)
•Deer, Horses, and/or Rams-symbolizing wealth and prosperity.

Many Easter egg games developed around the world include egg rolling, throwing and tapping-all of which take place even today on Easter Day. In parts of Britain, particularly the north-east, decorated hard boiled eggs are still known as 'Pace Eggs', a name derived from the Hebrew word Pesach (Passover). These are rolled down a hill and the winner is the egg that travels furthest without cracking. Of course, in the United States, Easter Egg Hunts are very popular, the most famous being the one held on the grounds of the White House.

There are so many traditions and symbols used by people around the world to celebrate the feast of  Easter. Whether they communicate a truth in symbols, or
teach a lesson or add a sense of festivity to the day, Easter Eggs are universal symbol of our most important feast.